Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-01-25
THE HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE.

The Special Committee on Privileges,
Powers and Duties OF the House in Counting the
Electoral Vote held long session in Washington
on the 18th and examined several witnesses, among
them Secretary Chandler. who was asked wheth-
er he bad sent any dispatches to Florida since
the late election in relation to money,
ard he replied he had not; being asked
whether he had sent dispatch to Flor
ida stating troops would probably he sent
there to keep the peace he answered he probably
had; he was then asked whether he had sent it
upon his own motion some ones else, and he
declined to answer this question, basing his re-
fnsal on the ground that he is Cabinet officer;
the committee decided that he must answer, and
gave him until the nth TO comply. The commit
tee also examined Representative Purman, OF
Florida. and sever.l other witnesses. The com
mitee imposed the injunction OF secrecy upon the
entire proceedings.
Richard Mccormick, Secretary of the
National Republican Committee, was examined
on the 18th and 18th. In answer to questions, he
testified he had some knowledge of money hav-
ing been raised for legitimate purposes of the
campaign; not dollar came into the hands of the
National Republican Committee: did not know
of any circular having been Issued requiring Of
flee holders to contribute money. Mr.. Purman in
his testimony on the 18th said he saw two three
tele9rams signed u. Chandler on the day after
election, Nov. 8; the substance of them was " As
you have carried the stale by Republican ma
jorty, preserve it and keep yourselves from being
defrauded out of it. M. A. Clancey. late stem
ographer of the National Republican Committee,
read the original drafts of tie egram sent to Oregon
Florida and other Southern States, the general
purport of which was that if Hayes received the
votes of Louisiana, Florida and Oregon, he would
be elected, and urging the Republican leaders in
those States to be on their guard and not give up
the result until the remotest returns had been re-
ceived. Some OF these dispatches were signed by
2. Chandler, and otherssby w. E. Chandler.
William E. Chandler testified On the
18th that he was member of the National Re-
publican Committee and of the Executive Com
mittee; in reply to a question whether he or any
other members of the committee sent kilograms
to Louisiana, Florida and North or South Caro-
lima, the witness replied afirmatively that he had
seen the cop es of the kilograms produced yester-
day by Mr., ClaLcey, but did not remember any
others particularly; he however. sent tele-
grams early in the morning, before Clancy
was uU; he thought he sent them sub
stantially to the same persons mentioned
in those States. but made them brief: his reco'-
lection was that he telegraphed that Hayes had
received 1875 votes, with Florida Louisiana and
Oregon; that the Democrats would attempt to
wrest these States from the Republican s
by fraud or other improper means, and re-
quested them to be diligent in ascertain
ing the result, and communicate it as soon
as ascertained; witness was asked if, while
in Florida, he received any letters or kilograms
from any member of the National Committee in
which mention made of money or troops,
which question he declined to answer un IL he had
consulted with his clients the Governor of Flori-
da and O her Republican candidates in that State
to give permission to answer; the commit: ee,
after private consultation, unanimously decided
that witness must answer the question, and that
there could be no privileged communications be-
tween an attorney aud his clients as against a
committee of the House; witness still declined TO
answer and also refused to state whether. while
in Florida be had sent letter or telegram to any
member of the National Committee mentioning
money or troops. r-lE al .s -E--- --E -.
Secretary Chandler was again before the
committee on the 18th. he said he WAS not Dre-
pared to answer the question as to by whose su-
thority he sent the telegram to Gov. Stearns
PROMISING troops; he declined to answer because
of the confden ial character of the commun ca
ton between the President and himself, and other
members of the Cabinet. and he was summoned
to appear before the committee Secretary Of
the Interior; he presumed the telegram TO Gov
Stearns was sent on his own motion and in his
own name; his impression was that he received a
telegram from Gov. Stearns suggesting the neces-
sity of sending troops. -Vf s-4~