The New York herald., 1877-01-15
RETICENCE OF A CABINET OFFICER
The Benefits and Disadvantages Of
a Dual Character.
The Plan of the Joint Committee on
the Electoral Vote
OPPOSITION DEVELOPING ITSELF.
Another Story Of Terror and Intimidation
from South Carolina.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON, Jan. II, 1871
eEcRETArY cHANDLERs RECENT RErIcENcE-
INCoNvKNIENCEs OF A DUAL CHARACTER--
ANXIETY TO ASCERTAIN WHERE THE CAB
MET OFFICER BEGINS AND THE POLITICAL
MANAGER ENDS.
The Committee tho Powers, Duties and Privileges
OF the House have undertaken TO ask Secretary
Chandler questions about his management
OF the republican canvass before and alter the
election az Chairman Of tho National Committee,
prd the Inconvenience Of making a Cab
inot officer manager OF party canvass
begins to be The committee, which sat in
Saturday, is said to have information that
Mr. Chandler, In his capacity Of Chairman of tho Re-
publican Committee, promised Governor Stearns Of
Florida, soldiers aud money to carry the State for
Governor Hayes. On asking Mr.. Chandler about such
dispatches hc fell back upon himself MS a Cabi-
net officer, and refused to the
plea that to reply would be to expose State
secrets, and no asked delay until could
consult counsel and the remainder Of the Cabinet OF
course his request granted Mr.. Chandler
says to- night that he has sent telegram written
any communication which he Is not perfectly willing
the committee shall have and know all about He adds
that he has no objection to their being placed
In possession of everything. His friends
tend that will be justified In his refusal
10 answer the question put to him, because
It involved his confidential relations with
the President. Tho other side naturally reply that
they would like to ascertain precisely where Mr.
Chandler ceased to be Chairman OF the Republican
Committee and became Cabinet officer Tho
mi man hera 0f tho sin niInp
ment in Louisiana, where Mr. Packard combined,
during two thrco elections. the two functions o.
United States Marshal and Chairman OF tho Re-
publican Committee and, as proven by the
House Committee in 1875 used his power as
marshal to order federal troops TO mako arrests Of
democrats under blank warrants In such counties as
he wanted, chairman OF the republican committee
to carry for his party The democrats often remarked
that would be q convenience for them II they too
could have United States marshal federal troops
Tho republicans irritable over the examination
Of Mr.. Chandler and threaten TO haul up in
their turn the chairman Of the Democratic
National Committee, who, he was not Cabinet
officer nor United States marshal, would have
Official privileges and It Is to be hoped would speak
out like o man. The committee said to be In no
hurry with Mr.. Chandler. there witnesses on
the way from Florida TO testify about kilograms to
and from Governor Stearna What their testimony will
show OF bo accurately known until they
arrive Some friends ofMr Chandler say that he should
other have refused to any questions as
Cabinet Officer that, having answered some, he
should have replied unhesitatingly all that were
asked This would certainly simplify matters ssbd
DEAL and It is hoped here that he will make up his
mind to speak out and that the committee Will hero
after sit with open doors Recalcitrant witnesses
are at discount herc this winter Every.
hndv tn kno about
IN the Senate Committee the Oregon business
Senator Herman has shovn good and popular exam
pc BY warning all hcsitating witnesses that they
speak and tell all they know, this Is not
ter about which he means to protect them. II either
party has done wrong he wants It to appear
Secretary Chandler Is usually SO free spoken man
that he will doubtless before the closed sub.
nit himself to more thorough examination; but hc
probably regrets that he became, while Cabinet on.
Ger, chairman OF tho Republican Committee II he
does no considerable part Of tho republican party
various accounts.
THE ELECTORAL voTE-THE SUPPOSED PLAN
OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE LIKELY TO MEET
WITH oPPosITIoN-vIEws OF THE MoDzR-
ArEs AND THE EXTREMISTS.
The supposed plans of the joint committee on the
electoral vote have been the subject Of good deal of
discussion here to-day and It is very evident that IL
tho committee agree the project which commonly
ascrbcd to 1t and the man features OF which were
sent you yesterday, 1t will meet with
srong democratic opposition In the House and
perhaps in the Senate. The republicans arc
generally reticcnt. but of those known as
extreme mon are not at all pleased with II. The mod
crate and conservative both sides are disposed
TO accept fair basis OF settlement but are in
cncd to wait until they shall have before them au.
thentc details Of the supposed plan before expressing
definite opinions. II may be said however, that thcrc
Is q strong and increasing disposition hore among con-
ycrvatve men OF both parties TO unite without upncc
besary delay upon any plan which shall be
shown to be constitutional and TO promise
ar and honest settlement The joint committee plan
~iI therefore, have favorable consideration from
prcpondcrant number OF both parties in both houses
and II It is meritorious will probably be adopted,
hough not without debate and vigorous opposition
from men who bent upon carrying their plans
and prefer to bring on deadlock rather than submit
10 a compromise, however fair. There still fow
republicans who insist tha: tho Vice President must
count the vote; that the houses only w,ncsses
and that Governor Hayes must bc counted
in at all haxards. Tho number of these persons de-
creasing, but they Will do their utmost to defeat any
measure the committee may propose. On the other
side there democrats ready to MAINTAIN that the
House OF Representatives has inacnablc rights; that
vote be counted without It's consent. and that
they would rather have election than give UP a
Jo OF their prctcnsions Those persons also arc not
numerous but they, too, will oppose the JOINT com
mtccs plan, whatever that may be, and already some
VI them assert that the republicans have outwitted
The democrats II is believed that the com
m,,tco may rcport by Tuesday or Wednesday, and,
tbcrcupon, OF stormy debate may be expected
FROM OUR REGULAR CORR eSPON DENT.
WAsmSGroy, Jan. IL, 1917.
THE SENATE SOUTH CAROLINA INVESTIGATING