Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-01-12

The New York Herald publishes the fol
lowing report of an interview with Vice
President Wheeler
Mr.. Wheeler spurns and rebukes in dig
niied manner all the recent talk about "a
compromise" lie declares empnatically
that there is nothing to compromise; that
the Presidency cannot, and must not, be the
subject of dicker or barter between men of
both parties, and that the great issue of the
strict carrying out of the letter and spirit of
the Constitution. Mr.. Wheeler speaks thus
at is my firm conviction that Congress can
never be constituted National Canvassing
or Returning Board. Congress cannot 20
beyond the mere question OF the regularity
of the certificates. Understand me clearly,
for it is point on which would not like
to be misunderstood. The Congress cannot
investigate whether Louisiana has gone for
Tilden or Hayes. The action of the Return
ing Board on this point has been final and
conclusive. In Louisiana it is my honest
belief that if there had been free and fair
vote, unobstructed by intimidation or fraud,
the Republicans would have carried the
State by at least $1,000. In the five bull
dozed parishes the very registration shows
that these parishes belong to the Republi-
cans.
TUE LOUISIANA RETURNING BOARD.
The interviewer remarked, the Democrats
claim that you, yourself, as member of the
last Investigating Committee. have stigma
tixed the Louisiana Returning Board as great
rascals?
Mr.. Wheeler became thoroughly aroused
at this and replied with much earnestness
~ know that they have piled this charge,
but it is utterly untrue. l never charged.
and never said, in my report, that either
Governor Wells or Anderson was dishonest
or acted from bad motives. | defy any man
to find line in my report in which im-
pugned their motives. All l did say, was
that they had misappled the law. The law
required them in cases of intimidation to
take the afidavits in the parishes at the sew
eral polls, and then and there to attach them
to the returns. They failed to take such afi-
davits, and subsequently threw out votes on
charges of intimidation without having COM
piled with the letter of the law. have
the highest opinion of the personal integrity
of Wells and Anderson. Both are natives
of louisiana Wells was faithful Union
man, who was hunted with dogs through
the swamps by the rebels, while Anderson
fought bravely on the Confederate side.
ABOUT DEMOCRATIC THREATS.
interviewer" You do not think Demo-
cratic army could capture the Government"
With dry humor Mr.. Wheeler replied, "
have never known an army to accomplish
much by subscription. ] know very few
men who would deiray their own expenses
or buy their own horses and arms to put
Mr. Tilden on the Presidential Chair. dc
know two or three men in my own town
who want to 20 to Washington with their
muskets to see that Mr.. Tilden is inaugural
ed, but they are generally men who DO not
&c out after sundown.I They II fight valiant
ly for postoffces, but that's about ALL"
MIR. Wheeler's face, rs he said this. re-
manned perfectly stolid and nothing distur-
bed its puritan serenity. My FRIEND" he
continued earnestly, "our Government is
not going to be wrecked on such u shoal as
that. 1t is very natural that the Democratic
party. having been out ofpower SO long, aud
having come so near success, should be tre
mendously disappointed and should clutch
at anything that promises success, but it is
all talk My friend, the American people
will calmly acquiesce in the legally declared
result
TILDES's FIGHTING QUALITIES.
What are Governor Tilden's fighting pro-
cliyties, Mr. Wheeler? II do lnot think
he's sanguinary man at ALL" replied Mr..
Wheeler, with mock serious deliberation.
II served with him in the Constitutional