The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-21
GOV. HENDRICKS
Is Interviewed and Speaks in
Plain Language.

INDIANAPOLIS, December 20.-The
Journal of tomorrow will contain M
interview with Gov. Hendricks, the lesd-
ing points of which are as follows:
The Governor said the men who voted
for rilden believed be was elected, and
they are, greatly excited at the possibility
that he is to be deprived Of the Office
and another to be inaugurated who was
not elected, by means of party machinery,
amt Republican in its character, and even
by the disregard of the local law in its
organization and by the fraudulent exer-
else of its powers. They do not believe
that under Republican institutions it is
possible any inquiry can be made into
the conduct of the four men who under
took to ceRlrol the Presidential election
by fraudulent means. They believe that
il is the duty of the House Of Reprecen-
tstives to see the proposed wrong de-
tested, even should the Senate attempt 10
maintain it. The oplnIon prevails gen.
orally, l believe unanimously, among
them that the House is clothed with
equal power with the Senate in the de-
cislon of all questions which arise during
the progress of the count Of the electoral
vote, and that il would be an usurpstion
and fragrant violation of the rights OF
the people should the vote be counted
and the questions decided by the presld.
ing officer of the Senate in defiance of
the House.
lR-W hat public significance should be
attached to the action OF the Democrats
in calling public meeting in the
Northwest, and especially in Indiana,
and rs to your supposed connection
with it has given rise 10 much comment.
VIII you state whether in your opinion
either party would under any cream
stances be justified in resorting TO force
10 secure the Presidency
Gov. Hendricks-The lac, that this
power above alluded 10 is claimed for
the President OF the Senate, and ITS ex-
ercise by him is threatened,
has greatly contributed to excite
popular feeling. In this condition OF the
public mind, the Democratic Commit
tee of the State issued the call tor the
convention of the Sth Oi January, not for
the purpose, rs | suppose, OF making any
threats or OF organizing any resistance
10 authority, but for the purpose OF max
ing Il public expression against the
threatened invssIons Of popular rights
and of giving the House of Representa-
tives an assurance of support in the exer-
else of its constitutional rights and pre-
negatives. There is no purpose, so far
am informed, % going further.
In further answer TO your inquiry.
| do not regard force rs n means To
be contemplated TO secure the Presidency.
SO far rs the 9Th of January conyen
tion is concerned, amivrey sure its only
reliance to secure the results OF the
Presidential election will be on the force
and power Of public opinion IN support
Of the right snd against the wrong, and
in support of the House of Rep>csanta.
tives in the assertion and exercise OF its
constitutional powers rs those powers
have been declared in the uniform
practice and in the adoption OF the
twenty second joint rule and the passage
by the Senate of Gov. MortOn's bill, A.
the last session. 1t Is perhaps proper to
add tnat should the House positively ss-
sert its right to participate IN the count,
and should that right be denied and re-
fused by the Senate, supported by the
executive power, We would stand IN the
presence OF serious danger, not because OF
any party movements, but be-
cause of c, nflict in the Hk
chinery of the government, wthou-
any tribunal for its adjustment. obt
serve in some papers the statement that
q secret political society is being organ
zstion IN this State, the purpose Of which
Is dangerous TO the peace OF society. !
think ] am in position 10 know If there
were any such movement in
this State or any part of IL
and ! feel confident in saying
that the report is without foundation in
truth. 1t is wholly false, as ! believe,
and rs | think | know, and has ITS orr
gin with bad men, and for partisan and
bad purposes. The contest in this State
last summer and fall, was on the part OF
the Democrats and Conservatives, emi.
nently fair and open. There Ia no mo-
tive. and rs am sure, there is no pur.
pose 10 depart from that policy.