The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-02-21

| Deon the other way sounds about COrrup'
ton would have have been heard from the
democratic party He was not frightened
by threats Of revolution and civil war, es
peciallY from the northern democracy. He
declared that the whole scheme Of the cleo
ton to the presidency of the grand fraud
of Grammcrcy park had been superb
democratic cheat from beginning to end
and that the democrats had started oui
with the impression that they could buy
every man whom they could not overawe.
Mr. Levy of Louisiana made an appeal
to the great, generous American heart on
behalf of the state of Louisiana in this
hour of domestic and national peril, and
he went on TO denounce the frauds COM
mitted by the returning board.
Mr. Grape, a member Of the Louisiana
investigating committee, said the election
had been controlled by violence and in
timidation. While not defending the ac-
ton of the returning board, he asked what
must have been the condition Of the state
which rendered such board necessary.
Mr.. Watterson eaid two courses are open
to the majority. On the one hand passion
ate cutlery, at once impotent and childish;
on other, without offering needless obslruc-
ton TO the progress of events, an earnest,
manly, but temperate protest against what
we believe great and grievous wrong. In
my judgment the latter is our clear and
bounden duty.
Mr.. Danford defended the decision of the
commission as one which outside of party
feeling would meet the approval of the
whole American people. When Hayes s
Inauguration occurred there will not be an
honest man in all the land who will not
| congratulate himself on the fact that, al
though there has been investigating COM
mittees in Florida, Louisiana and Oregon
which had found much crookednees there
in, in all words spoken, letters written,
kilograms sent, there had not been traced
| to the president elect or to any member of
his household one word that would bring a
blush of shame to the American people.
(Applause.)
Here the speaker announced that to-days
legislative session would begin.
Mr.. Pierce of Massachusetts, said il
could never have been construed that con-
gress should not be able to scrutinize the
returns of electoral votes If that was not
matter which the representatives of the
the people could inquire into then this
government lie on very insecure founda-
ton. He could not give assent to any such
declaration; 1t was contrary TO good gov
eminent and good morals; it tended to
weaken the hold of the government on the
conf 'ence of the people, and the party
which got into office by its adoption would
BIZ party founded on principles danger
GUS to the perpetuity of the government.
The evidence which the commission re-
fused to received justified and required the
exclusion of Louisiana from participating
in the presidential election. He was aware
that in the position he took he stood al
most alone in his party. but he should be
recreant to his convictions il he negle cted
to place on the imperishable records of
the house his dissent from the rsle pro-
posed to be established. (Applause)
Er. Ellis characterized the members of
the returning board as men whose souls
were sccrched with perjury blacker than
that of Judas Iscariot. He said the spoils
OF Office could not compensate the repub-
loan party for the wrong committed and in
four years more the great American people,
wronged and outraged, would arise in their
majesty and might and hurl such drunken
beasts from power forever, and brand with
the indelible brand of infamy those who
had aided, countenanced, abetted and de-
Tended this monstrous crime.
MIR. Cox said although argument was al
lowed on this matter it was simply argu.
naentum adj post tactum under the electoral
bill, and speaking Of the commission said
everything as to testimony, facts, forgery,
perjury, and forcs is Gliunde, outside, not
to be considered; truth and justice, and
morality and fair dealing are alunde; the
house is aiunde-( laughter)-its acts and
the acts OF its committees and their reports,
all facts gathered in these southern states
are atunde; nothing is to be considered
but the bare, naked fact of certificate
based upon forgery and chicanery of re-
turning board which returned the fact that
10000 democratic votes were not counted.
Mr.. Kelley declared the democratic can
vass in Louisiana was vast series of Or
ganized crime and spoke of tho outrages
on Henry and Eliza Pinkston. He argued
in conclusion that the decision of the com
mission was In accordance with the consti-
tuition, law and precedents, and would
meet the approval of every we'll instructed
lawyer.
Mir. Pratt defended the action of the
electoral commission and repealed the
charge of fraud and corruption made
against the returning board and republican
party.
Mr.. Wood closed the debate aud said the
commission was created to impartially in
vestigate and determine the questions at is-
sue, and having refused TO consider the
most important of them it had nullifed the
object of It's creation and under these cir
cumstances he doubted whether either
house is bound to abide by its
action, but still he hoped neither
would refuse to submit. The patriotism
OF the house in submitting to arbitration
had been treacheroutly rewarded by an act
of public infamY as criminal in character
as 1t would be far reaching and universal in
its effects. He protested against 1t and
denounced the treachery practiced. In
conclusion he said all ruling influence of
party overshadows everything every
where, at all times and under all crcum-