The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-07

held appointments under him and we're
familiar with his official transactions.
About the truth Of these charges we OK
press no opinion. because they arc TO he
tried before committee But it Is hardly
probable that sane men would risk allcga-
tions of this character, which. IT false. would
subject them to indictment for perjury.
Besides some of the statements are known
to be true. The real difficulty in this mat
ter is that Mr.. POLK secured the nOmna-
ton, which was virtually an election, by
combination that absorbed the bulk of his
best patronage and led TO several Disgrace
lul appointments.
Ii The House had boon cool and discreet
when Mr.. BAKER of Indiana made himself
the muuthpiccc of this indictment. select
committee, Of which he should have been
principal member, would have been raised
on the spot II was referred to the
Committee con Reform in the Civil Ser
vice." which Is composed of seven Dem
ocrats against four Republicans. and is
not considered very strong. They are
G. II. HARRISON Of Illinois. CLARKsoN
y. POTTER Of New York. PHILIP Cook of
Georgia, W. w. GARTH Of Alabama, J. Il.
CRAvENs OF Arkansas. u. NJ. HENRY Of Ma
ryland, c. II. MORGAN Of Missouri, HIRAM
PRICE Of Iowa, 4. Il. JAMES Of New York, J.
II pUcH of New Jersey. and l.. SEXTON Of In
diana. This committee has delicate duty To
discharge, first. because it represents the ma
jority Of the House, whose honor is assailod
in the person of one of It's officials; and. sec-
ondly. because that majority. and probably
most of the committee, have been the bcnc-
fciarics Of the very patronage which has
raised this storm. Therefore the action II
every member OF it will bc scrutnizcd rigid
ly. and the proceedings should be conducted
with open doors. so that there shall he no
suspicion in tine public mind Of unlaiInc--.
or Of a desire to cover up any improper con-
duet.
One point in this matter deserves alton
ton. and entirely escaped notice in the dis
cussion. On the very eve ui the holiday re-
cess, Mr.. ROnrRrs, Chairman Of the Com
mittcc on Accounts, reported a resolution to
the House, directing the clerk to pay cut
81 the contingent fund II sum not exceeding
$3.50 for expenses incurred in the employ
mcnt of an extra force in the organization
of the Doorkccrcr's department for the
special session of the Forty-ilfth Congr -"
This appropriation was to pay persons
employed directly in defiance Of existing
law. and without u color OF Justification. m
les, the bad example of preceding Republic
can legislation Ice pleaded in excuse. No
I,tice was given to the lluusc by the mover
of the resolution Of the causes which made
ii necessary. and the House may be said.
with the exception Of those i'm the secret. to
have voted hlindiy or without knowledge in
the midst oi the hurry to get away from
Washington for the HOLIDAYS
or course. the precise sum Of $3.50 would
not have boon inserted in the resolution hut
upon statement made by the Duorlcepcr,
eNhihiting the actual indebtedness OF his
Office for this so-callcd extra force When
payment came TO he made, az shown in Il
table submitted to the House it was dis
covered that $4,000 moro would bc required
to foot the bills. and then the appropriation
was distributed pro rata, except 10 a few
persons holding places wholly unknown to
the law. who we're allowed the largest pay
in full, with the approval Of the Committee
ON Accounts
Did the Doorkccpcr deceive the committee
when he made his report upon which the
appropriation was granted and why did the
committee conceal the truth from the House
if deception had been pract-ed by him?
These are questions which ought to bc an
swcrcd Satisfactorily, and a failure to answer
them must invite distgust. Hence asa start
ing point IN Investigation. this business has
an exceptional importance, for it will let the
country see whether the party which pro-
fesses purity OF intention and breaches re-
form is willing to begin the illustration Of
its virtues, by applying the same stern rule
OF discipline to its friends that it is 50 ready
to apply to its opponents.