The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-07-19
THE RETURNING BOARD.

AN ExprASAr1oS OF THE ACTION OF THE
GRAND JURY-wHY THE REQUEST WAS MADE
TO DISTRICT ATTORNEY FINNEY-ALLEGED
coERcIvE ACTION OF JUDGE WHITAKER
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
New ORLEANS, July Is, 1871
Since the statement made by Major Burke 10 the
HERALD that the information fled against the Return
ing Board done in the interest OF Mr. rilden care
full inquiry has been made to ascertain the
real facts, aud though It may not have
been proven that the made in
his interest," certain Il Is that the step in
way melted from the North in the interest OF the Bour
bon element From statement made by member
of the Grand Jury 1t appears that Judge Whitaker
few days before the 27th, appeared before them and
threatened their dishonorabie discharge the ndict
mcnt was found. Up to this time action had been
refused but under fear of this request was made
to District Attorney Finney, as published ie the
HERALD.
VERNON RETURNS.
Tho Vernon parish returns, which were given TO Mr.
Field by Major Burke. still in his possession and
these must have been before the jury IN order prove
they had been iasifcd They could only have been
furnished by Field, ana IT is stated they were sent
hero condition they be Immediately returned
which was done~About the time Judge Whitaker first
took Horaiio Seymour. Jn visited this city and
returned twice since; IL is surmsed ho may
have acted as bearer OF these returns From state
ments gathered from other parties II would appear
that Mr. Murphy, detective for the Democratic
National Committee was hero in the spring, and
originally obtained the proof relative to tho
Vernon parish crookedness aud that It was
at his suggestion inquiry made as TO
whether the Returning Board could be
criminally prosecuted. From this It would appear
that the original intention was to make for Mr.
Tilden, but from later Information this docs ap-
pear.
rHE sPRAKERsHTP ANXIETY.
In the South, as well as in the North great iu-
terest Is being manifested in the election OF
Speaker and II privately stated yesterday that
the Indictment was planned to force wavcring mem
bers OF Congress back into line II is said hero that
President Hayes is making stupcpdous efforts 10 haze
new policy" man elected Speaker and it is thought
that certain democratic members OF Congress belev-
ing mat party 10 DO dead were rather inclined to as
sist tho President eecting some conservative re-
publican to the second most important place In tho
country Fearing this, the Bourbon element Ind tho
Returning Board, which placed Hayes in
power, indicted, hoping by their trial and
conviction to furnish substantial proc:
the iliegay OF hts Claim to the Presidency and caus-
ing those favorably inclined toward him to call halt
Tho selection OF the electoral vote instead OF that Tor
State officials looks suspicious, The more as the
latter could have heen more easily proven ana without
touching on the validity Of the Presidency. the re-
turns Of ether parishes, where equal fraud
OF the Secretary of State anu easily. obtainab,c.
1t well known that certain tho interest OF
straight out democratic Speaker have recently visited
this section, osiensiby with a view OF canvassng, but
possibly with other objects AS Judge Whitaker was
counsel OF the democratic State Com mtLee, what
natural than that nc should be in communication with
these gentlemen, and that hints gwen him to
induce his urging the jury to bring IN their
request to the District Attorney. As the trial OF
Returning Board could take place before Congress
meets the effect of their arrest would have almost
equal weight with their conviction, the mems
ures taken have the whole matter decided just be-
tOre the adjournment OF the court.
WEST
Whether this be so or not the effect produced will
be greater on the Northern mind than here, and
even outside OF any interest 10 Mr.. Then
tho Speakershp cannot but alcct tho approaching
election campaigns in the West, therefore whether
directly in tho interest Mr.. Tden not con
Gently believed By parties In position best calculated
10 know that tho move was originally instigated by
Northern politicians, time only showing whose i'm
mediate interest tho move made