Year: 1878

THE SENATE was not in session TODAY


HOCSE.-Mr. WhitthOrne moved that when
the House adjourned to-day it be be until
Monday next. He said he made this motion
because there were to be some torpedo exper-
lmentS down the Potomac tomorrow. and the
committee on naval affairs and the Secretary
of the Navy desired Congressman to attend
and witness these experiments. The motion
was agreed to.


Mr.. Phillips introduced bill to provide for
deposits OF savings in popular loan and for
1undlng the national debt in gold bonds at A
low rate of interest. Referred


A QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE


Mf. Baker lnd) rose to what he claimed
was was a question of privilege, and said that
former officer of this House, brought 10 him
certain written papers, which, il true, involved
tcer of this House. He was asked TO bring
them to the attention of the House, but he de-
cined to do so because he did not think il
right that any member of the House should be
the vehicle OF bringing charges against an of
ticer of the House unless the statements We're
verified under oath. The gentleman went
dropped. But he returned a few days after,
with certain sworn statements and again
asked to have the subject brought to the at
tentiOn of the House. He again refused to
do so until he had ascertained that the persons
making the allegations are men who were en-
tilted to credit. Having ascertained this fact
ne felt that he would be false to his ideas of
duty if he declined to present the charges.
After having these affidavits read he would
follow them up with resolution for invcSti-
CATION. The charges referred to the door
keeper of the House, Mr.. Polk.


Mr.. Hunton thought that the resolution
should be read first and let a committee inves-
tlgate. En- parte statements should not go to
the country. for the tendency was to create an
impression in advance.


Mr.. Baker Und) said he had reluctantly
brought the subject here, and, i'm Justice to
himself, required that the affdavits should be
read, so that the country might understand
that he had not made charges without just and
.All-
charges untrue his vindcatiOn will be the
more clear and triumphant.


1he Speaker suggested that the gentleman
first offer his amendment.


MIR. Baker then sent up a resolution reciting
that it was alleged that John w. Polk, door
keeper of the House, had on the rolls 63 per
sons in excess OF the number of employees
allowed by law that men who were employed
were not on the roll; that Polk compelled Ger
tain employees to paya portion of their salaries
to other employees as bonus for their reten-
ton that said Polk had an interest in claims
and bills now pending and to be Introduced
into Congress; and therefore directing the
any time if the said dOOrkeeper had been
guilty of the charges as alleged, and also to in
guir,e , whether the office of doorkeeper should


Mr.. Baker then sent up certain atlidavits to
be read.


Mr.. Sparks objected to the interjection of
afiidaVitS making specific charges in advance
of an investigation.


Mr.; Mills was glad to see the other side of
the House keep its eyes and ears open TO the
matter Of civil service reform: He was on
committee of investigation last year, and
found that large numbers of employees had
been kept OH the rolls for political purposes,
and no one on the republican side cared 10
investigate the matter then,


The affidavtS were then read. The first
was signed by Ingham Coryell, and was sworn
to before q. B. Burke justice of the peace
would resign the Office he held under the
dOorkeeper, that he CCoryelD should have an
Interest in some lobby money, to be used for
influencing legislation in the matter of the
Pennsylvania avenue contracts: and that he
POlkl said he was interested in advancing
such legislation. In proof, reference was
made to IL. j. Silver, OF Mexico, Mo-, to whom
POLK had made the same offer, and to Gen.
Ayerll.


The next affidavit was that of Mark A.Dufy.
who says at the extra session he was employed
Tor few days under the Doorkeeper: that af
ter he was employed few days Polk sent his
assistant DoEavin to him. and said he was
under to certain Congressmen, and asked him
to resign. He refused; Polk and D0navin
We're persistent. and said if affiant would re
sign n he he should be kept on the roll at the rate
not understand that, for it would not be hon
est and he was not satisfied to give up his
place Polk explained that he could put aft
ant on as a laborer, and that he could employ
a darkey to do the work at ten or fifteen dol
lars month. Aftiant says that after further
conferences he could not see how he could get
Sl,6o0 year out of a position which paid only
Sl,200, which he was offered when Polk said
he would require two other employees to pay
him $500 year each out of their salaries. Aft
ant suggested that they might refuse to pay,
and Polk said he would compel them TO pay
monthly in advance. Polk also added that he
would double up" which he explained to be
when it was suggested that he might not get
the House TO indOrSe the action, when Polk
replied that he had corner of Congress- and
that the House must come up to his wants.
He and DOnivan said they could get all they
wanted, especially from the committee on
accounts.


After discussion the resolution was referred
to the committee ON civil service reform.