The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-05-02
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ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES SECRETS.
AnAffair which win Do to Investigate
From the Ne,o York Sun


While Wells and Anderson, the return
ing board rascals, were held in custody by
the house, for refusing to answer proper
questions touching their villalny. they were
in constant communication with the repub
lican managers who had gone TO New Or
leans to aid In carrying through the con-
spiracy to steal the state. No doubt is
entertained that John Sherman, A. j.
Garfield, little Hale of Maine. and Stanley
Matthews were fully aware of the nature
and extent of the frauds to be perpetra,ed.
if some of them did not personally partici
pate in the iniQuity.
It is an open secret that large sum of
money was paid to the returning board,
and that the Democrats could haye had the
vote of Louisiana if they had agreed to buy
it at the extortionate price demanded by
Wells and Anderson. They kept the re-
turns under control and in doubt, until
their agents reported finally that Mr.. Til
denis friends would not entertain the cor
rupt propositions The testimony taken
before the investigating committee at the
last session and Wells letters make these
facts clear. But they still fall short of the
actual truth, which, sooner CT later, must
be revealed; aud then the country will
know exactly how much money was paid
down, who paid it, and in what proportion
it was distributed,
The negotiators of this vile bargain
necessarily placed themselves in the power
of the scouudrels who did the work. Con
sequently, the members of the returning
board were hattered and praised by the
senators and representatives who visited
New Orleans, and by other leading repub-
Iicans who helped to carry the conspiracy
through. In set speech, John Sherman
| declared Wells to be the peer of any mem
Der of the senate. and his associates worthy
of all respect and confidence. He spoke
as the peculiar and personal representative
of Hayes, and with a knowledge that he
was to be rewarded with the treasury de-
partment, after the iniquity should be con-
summated.
Wells and Anderson at one time threat
ened to make disclosures, while held by
the sergeant-at-arms A panic imme
diately seized all the Republican managers
and the silence of the two was procured
by means which form a separate chapter
in the history of this transaction. JohE
sherman sent for Anderson, and he was
taken to the committee room Of finance o.
the senate, in charge OF one of the depu
ties of the sergeant arms, against al
the rules observed 10 regard to imprisoned
witnesses. What occurred at that meeting
lis. of course, only known to Sherman anc
Anderson, as il was entirely secret, will
locked doors. But when Anderson cam
out he told the deputy, on his way back t
the house Il am to be collector of Ney
lOrleans" Sherman is now secretary c
the treasury, and circumstances hav
Ichauged since this incident occurred. Tn
pledge which shut the mouth of Apderso
may not be specifically performed, but h
may expect to enjoy an adequate rewar
whether he gets the relationship or not.
One of the first and weightiest duties G
the new house of representatives will be t
set on foot thorough investigation of thi
affair.