The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-14
zICH CHaNDLER asa FITNESS.
An Inquiry into the Conspiracy TO steal the
Votes OF Florida aud Louisiana.

WAsuINGroS, Jan. 13.-The Committee
On tia Power. and Privileges OF the House 81
Reiresentstiye-, acting under towers granted
It on Mond.y last. began it, inq iries IN REGARD
to the conspiracy ~ the IA heal leaders to steal
the electoral votes Il Florida aud Louisiana.
Tue FIRST vi n. - ex mined was ,ch Chandler.
Secretary OF the Interior. aud Chairman OF the
Republican National Committee. lie was asked
In regard t. teleerims sent by MIN to the Gov
ern r Of Flo'ida on the day after the November
election, and at subsequent dates. lie admitted
that he had sen; kilograms TO Gov Stearns Il
Florida, iut asserted that thew related only to
furnishing troops % maintain the peace la that
state. lie did not seud despatch ceiling GOV.
Strarns 10 I tne electoral vote - flurii, must
be secured fur Hayes. aud that troops and
money would he furnished flr that puroose II
Trey were nfrrss r. lie sent noening Of tnat
KIND. He DID tell Siearn- by telegraph that
troops wnnld he furnished to Keep tie peace.
and hat tnrrrfore he co.. Id 20 ahead aud secure
an honest c luut OF the votes.
Chandler was asked in regard to his commu-
Ci irm,n ot the REPUBLICAN Committee, and lie
dccll nod 20 answer IN the ground that he nad
no communications with the President save IN
his oficial capacity az a Cabinet officer. The
comulftee wanted him 10 distinguish retween
his communications "a Chairman ~ the Replb-
iican Committee ana a. Secretary u the lnte-
riur out ue declined to do 50. Whatever COM
mum cations be o. with the President IN re-
gard to the Flo tea election ~err a. a Cabinet
officer and th"r foie were privileged. Inc
committee gave Mr.. Chandler Gpli 'londay 70
consider wnv.h her he would adhesetO his refusal
- atiswHr.
Mr.. Clancy. who was one ~ the clerks 81 the
Republican National Committee, was also ex-
ahmed IN regard to 1 legr iuis sent from New
YORK by Mr.. Chandler, a. Chairman Of tue com
IN. tee. to the ,utnrrn States after Nov. : but
n knew nothing OF hnN kilograms sent Or re-
ceived, save o Ae, wni, u was sent bv Gov KEEL
lugg fHr publication In Northern papers, out
wuicn was not mode puhlc. Two c'fre-uOnd-
ents, Ar. kcm of tie Philadelphia Pres ma
Mr. 81 rk Il the Nationii Press ASSOCIATE u.
were also before the committee. ana wee asked
IN regard to CERTAIN statements they mai urint-
ell - coming lrH IN the President. lne Rep b.
lcan me nrers u the commit &c ouJected that
TINS was not WITHIN the saop- OF tne authority
granted to the Committee 10y the House. and
the examination OF tness witnesses Was post
pOned until Nond v.
The particular stStement which te com
mttee wlsurd 10 inqlire about ~as the one in
winch the President Was reIro-euied a- saving
TIA Il he d the power to declare ~ irti i Law IN
the Ds iict Of Columbus. and would do 30 II he
IA nught tue luO ic exisrncies required T.. the
power cf the committee Will be ENLARGED on
Monday 20 - TO cover the objection raised hy
Republican memncr-, and T. wiri De made broad
enough TO cover every SUBJECT connected win
tue alleged conspiracy To- 1 unit IN HAYES and to
intiMidate the House Of lie, resent .tiyes.