The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-12
Proves Republican Civil Ser
vice Reform a Delusion.
The Blackmaillng Of EN-
ployees Must Be Con-
tinued.
Unfavorable Comments on
Grants Ready-Made
Interview.
A Piece Of Presidential
Trickery.
WASHINGTON. Dec. II, ! A. NJ,

WAsHINGToN, Dec. IL, A. NJ.
Special to the Register.
Mr.. Banning's resolution OF inquiry
touching the removal OF General Wells
IN Louisiana, by Sheridan, in 1867, is
keen thrust at the administration, and its
friends are at loss to know how to
parry 1t. At the trial Of Wells, before
his removal, General Sheridan branded
him as dishonest trickster, and his
action was endorsed by the Washington
authorities. Sheridan also complained,
as a justification OF his course, that Wells
by ,chicanery, interiered with him in the
discharge OF his duties, and denounced
him rs miserable coward. Since then
Wells has been restored to full favor At
court. Bsnning's resolution was intended
To ascertain how and when Wells became
M honest man and fit to hold Federal
flee, conduct returning board and
cast the vote OF the people of Louisiana.
MIR. Springer, Of Illinois, has trouble
in store Tor the Radical statesmen. DE
will tomorrow otier resolution, II he
can obtain consent, authorizing the
Committee on Elections TO inquire an d
report to the House, Us early as possible,
whether the recent elections for Presl.
dent and Vice President in Virginia,
Alabama and Mississippi were conducted
according to the laws OF those States and
the Constitution, and whether there was
fraud of any kind or intimidation at
said elections, and whether there had
been any interference by the Federal
troops with the State elections in any Of
the states or in the counting OF the votes
thereof, or in the organization OF the
Legislatures.
Under this resolution the committee
will have full power over persons and
papers, and may visit any OF
the States named. Such an
inquiry, industriously prosecuted,
would reveal new iniamy and confirm
the old in n way that would startle the
country, and would open up the whole
question of fraud. Mr.. Springer knows
what he is about, and would not ask for
n committee unless he meant serious bus
mess. If not tomorrow, the resolution
will probably be adopted at al early day,
The fate OF Spencer's resolution shows
what sincere civil service reiormers are
the Republican members OF the House
While elections are TO be carried and
funds raised TO defeat the will OF the pco-
pie. they will brook no interference with
their blsckmsiling power over the Gov
ernment employees. Chandler holds that
Congress has nothing Ia do with 1t; that
such matters can only be properly rcgu-
lated by the heads OF departments. That
eminent law-giver, Taft, agrees with his
brother Chandler.
Grrnt's resdy-msde interview, fur
nishei the Associated Press last night, is
generally and not iavorably commented
on to-day. 1t is spoken of as dislnge-
nious partisan huckstering with truth,
unworthy of his high Office. 1t Is
known that Hewitt wrote his recollection
of the interview next morning and hand
ed il to Grant 10 revise If he thought
proper. Grant retains the document as
Blaine rrtsint the Mulllgsu letters and
memoranda, and now comes before the
country and endeavors to cast odium
upon Hewitt for telegrspbing Hampton
,ha, the President told Hewitt that he
asked Grants leave TO make pubic
so much of the interview as be gave out,
and did not exceed his license. The
whole thing is but another evidence OF
the unreliable character of the Presiden-
tal trickster.
A ioint caucus OF Democratic Senstors
and Representatives was held tonight
A stirring appeal to the people was
agreed upon, setting forth the peculiar
condition OF the country, and will be
Issued Wednesday.