The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-07-11
The Florida Farce >

Inc FlOrIQa InVeSGl9atlOn has resulted IN a
complete fizzle, so far as the charges against
Republicans are concerned, and the only
''vlsiting statesman" who seems to have
been damaged is Mr.. Manton Marble, one
of the Democratic agents who went down
there from New YORK to represent Mr.. Til
den. He substantially offered a bride to
McLin. Gov. Noyes' vindication is complete.
1t will be remembered that the Potter res
one whose conduct was criminal and should
be investigated. Referring to the testimony
taken before the Committee in Washington,
the correspondent of the Baltimore Ameri-
can says.
Mr.. Noyes entered into the particulars of
the matter in dispute between the two par.
ties. He gave his version of the situation
of affairs al Tallahassee, and concluded by
the bold statement that ''the Republicans
made out such a case before the Returning
Board as would satisfy any unprejudiced
court in Christendom.' Mr.. Noyes dis
claimed in impressive tones the knowledge
of any frauds. No man ever informed him
of any. After the result was declared by
the Returning Board he chad an interview
with McLin. He seemed greatly depressed,
and said that he did not know what would
become OF him and his family. He had in
CURED the hostility of the Democrats, and
would not be able to earn a living among
them. His health was bad, and he asked
Mr.. Noyes to intercede for him with Mr..
Hayes when the latter became President,
and try to secure from him a position under
his administration. Mr.. Noyes promised to
do his best for him, and he kept his word,
and if he had had enough influence with the
Administration, McLin would have been
provided with q good place. Mr.. Moves
then read two letters from McLin since the
events of the fall of 1876 occurred to prove
that he was under no obligation to McLin;
and certainly no one can peruse those letters
without generating Mr.. Noyes from the
charges preferred against him by McLin.
MIR. Noyes' testimony was exceedingly iu-
terestng, and elected the closest attention.
He indicated himself completely.
General Lew Wallace testified next, cor
roboratlns Mr.. Noyes in every essential par
ticular, and brought out the fact that McLin
informed him that Mr.. Manton Marble had
offered to bride him. This declaration pro-
duced a great sensation.
Attorney GencralLttle, of Ohio, swore
tnat when Northern Republicans were bid
ding McLin goodbye at his home, Mr.. Noyes,
speaking for the party, asked to be excused
| for not having called upon him during the
count. because they did not deem it proper
to do so uuder the circumstances, to which
McLin replied that it would hardly have
| been considered an improperly, since Man.
ton Marble and osher Democrats had fire.
quently visited him. This ended Flor
| ida for the day. Mr.. Potter and his Dem
ocratic colleagues looked quite detected at the
| close OF the proceedings.
The evidence of Dennis, in regard to al
legged frauds in Archer precinct. adduced
nothing new. The history OF that case has
been given before, and is thus condensed by
the Washington correspondent OF the New
York Times
| The statement made by Dennis in reference
to Archer Precinct is not new, and has been
refuted upon the sworn testimony OF the vO-
| tiers at the poll. At best, Dennis evidence
| on this point is mere heresay. The vote of
| Alachua County was thoroughly canvassed
| in the contested election case OF Finley
against Bsbee for seat in the present Con-
gress. These same.charges about PIG fraud
lent votes were made a part of that contest,
| and the evidence taken to settle the contro-
versy satisfied the subcommittee of the
House Com nittee on Elections that they
| WCTG SIOuuuitSS. LII consequence VI tuc
charges of fraud made by both sides, the
vote Of Archer Precint No. was thrown
out entirely, and Messrs. Bisbee and Finley
were directed to make a canvass of the vo
| tiers from the names on the poll lists. The
election return for Archer No. showed that
800 Republican votes were polled. and of
these the Democrats charge that 2l9 were
fraudulent. Mr.. Bisbee called 81 voters of
Archer, whose names were on the poll list
as having voted, and about whose fright to
vote at that precinct there was no dispute,
and each of them swore that he voted the
full Republican ticket at the election of Nov
ember, 1876. The Democratic vote was not
| proved, and Mr.. Finley abandoned the issue
so far as Archer was concerned, and, up to
the time Of the publication of McLin's con-
fession in April last, the subcommittee hav-
ing charge Of the Bisbee- Finley contest was
unanimous in favor Of Bisbee, the sitting
member. The above statement of facts
shows that the charge that 219 votes were
fraudu.ently added to the Republican list
at Archer Precinct is without foundation
Let it not be forgotten that the aggregate
Republican vote at that precinct was 399
and that 317 bona tide voters of Archer
swore that at the Presidential election they
each voted the full Republican ticket, ant
the absurdity of the charge will be appre
ciated.