River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-12-28
An Important Interview with Governor Hen
hrIcks.

An Important interview Wlth Governor Hen
drIcks.
The indianapolis Journal (Rep.l pub
fishes an interview with Gov. Hendricks,
which, in view OF the Presidential situation,
and Governor Hendricks recent conference
with Gov. Tilden, is OtcOnsiderable importance.
The Governor said that the men who voted
for Governor Tilden believe he was elected,
and they are greatly excited Mt the possibility
that he SIS to be deprived OF the office and
another to lie inauguTated.whO was not elected
by means OF party machinery, anti-Tepublican
in its character, and even by disregard Of the
local law IN its organization and by the fraud
ulent exercise OF Its powers. They do not be-
lieve that under Republican institutions It Is
possible that no enquiry can be made INTO the
conduct OF four men who undertook to control
the Presidential election 10y fraudulent means.
They believe that it IS the duty OF the House
OF Representatives to see that the proposed
wrong be defeated, even should the Senate at
tempt to maintain it. The opinion prevails
generally. | believe universally among them,
that the House Oi Representatives Is clothed
with equal power with the Senate in the
decision OF all questions which arise dur
ing the progress OF the count Of the electoral
vote, and that il would I've an usuTpatiOn,
in fragrant violation of the rights OF the peO-
pIe il the votes should lie counted and the
questions decided by the presiding officer OF
the Senate, in defiance OF the rights OF the
House
Reporter What public signifcati0n should
he attached 10 the action of the Democrats IN
calling public meetings in the Northwest,
and especially in this Sta.e-and as Your sup
posed connection with It has given rise e.
much comment will you state Whe' her, III
your opinion, either party would, under any
circumstances, be justified IN Tesorting %
force to secure the Presidedcy
Governor Hendricks The fact that this
power, above alluded to, is claimed FOR the
III = 4 -Hea
him threatened, has greatly contributed Il
excite popular feeling. In this condition OF
the public mind, the Democratic Committee
OF the State issued the call for the convention
Of the Sth OF January-not Tor IL purpose, q;
[ suppose of making any threats or Of organ
izing any resistance TO authority, but for the
purpose ct making public expression against
the threatened measure OF popular rights, ano
Of giving the House Of Representatives an as
assurance of support in the exercise otits con-
stituti0ual right and prerogatlves. There 2:
no purpose. 50 far as / am informed, of going
further. In further answer to your inquiry
| don't regard force as Il means 70 be cOntem-
plated to secure the Presidency. 80 far as
the Sth of January convention IS concerned
| am very sure that It's reliauce-itS only re-
I liance-tO secure the results OF the PresIden-
tial election, viii be upon the force and power
OF public opinion for the support OF the right
and against the wrong, and in the support O
the House Of Representatives in the assertion
and exercise OF its constitutional powers, as
these powers have been declared in uniform
practice and in the adoption Of 22d JOINT rulC
and the passa. ye by the Senate OF Governor
Morton's bill al the last session. 1t is per
haVs proper to ada that should the House
positively assert its rights 10 participate II
the count, and should that right he denied
and refused by the Senate supported by tbs
executive power, we would stand in the pres
ence Of serious dangers, not because OF any
party movements, but because OF conflict
in the machinery OF the government without
any tribunal for It's adjustment. observe II
some newspapers the statement that secret
political society is being organized in TIL;
State, the purposes of which are dangerous
to the peace Of society. | think | am in Z
position "a know ii there were any such move
ment in this State or any portion OF it, and
feel cOntidenCin saying therefore that It Is
without foundation IN truth. Il Is certainly
false, as | believe, and as / think and know
and has its origin with bad men, for partisan
and had purposes. The contest in this State
last summer and fall, on the part of the De-
mOcTacy and Conservatives, was eminently
fair and open. There Is no motive, as / am
sure there IS no purpose, TO depart from thai
policy.