Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-06-05
WASHINGTON.


COuBEehBAOn0A proceedings
WASHINGTON, June 5-HoUsE.--A ses-
sion was ordered for Saturday night for
debate. The consideration Of the bill
amending the International revenue laws
was resumed. 9lo
The house, by a vote Of 1874 to 100.
struck out the enscting clause Of the
tariff bill, thus defeating it.
The committee investigating the al
legged frauds in Louisiana and Florida,
in connection with the last Presidential
election, met to-day.
The returns Of the electoral college Of
Louisiana having been received from the
secretary Of the senate they were sub.
mitted for examination. After the re.
turns we're read several members Of the
committee expressed a desire to be in
the house to vote on the Wood tariff bill,
and q recess was taken.
SEYATE-Ssnator Matthews said: Mr..
President, / rise to q personal explana-
tion and a question Of privilege. l feel
l owe the duty to myself as well as to
the senate, which, however unpleasant.
1 cannot in justice either further post
pone or omit. Tie newspapers published
here and elsewhere contain reports OF
statements, made under oath in another
place, in reference to myself, which are
calculated to reflect upon my character
and standing as q member Of this honor
able body. These statements appear to
be designed to establish, 6rst-thAt l was
in some way connected by participation
or encouragement in the preparation Of
alleged frauds in the Presidential cleo.
ton in 1876 in Louisiana, at or about the
time Of the canvass, and the returns
thereof; second, that ! was q party or
privy to promises Of protection and re-
ward to the officers charged with the
duties in connection with that election
and returns and the returns thereof
made 10 consideration, and the frauds
and perjuries committed or TO be com.
mitte1 by them in reference thereto;
third, that having subsequent knowI-
edge Of such frauds and Of such prom
ises for the purpose of c~oncealing the
former by assisting in the execu.
ion Of the latter, l used personal
and official influence to procure for Jas.
X Anderson Official employment 10 the
executive department Of the government.
To each Of these ACCUSATIONS, whether
expressed or implied, / reply by EN-.
phatic denial. deAy | was connected
in any way by participation or encour.
agemsnt, by knowledge, oonsent or con-
n%ivance with any frauds, real or pre-.
tended, in the Louisiana election;
deny was party or priyy to any prom
ises Of protection or reward 10 any ONT
in consideration Of commission BY
them Of frauds, real or pretended, il
that election; / deny | made any
eaorts 10 procure official appointment
for Anderson with the knowledge or be
lief on my part here, or any one else tina
bad been guilty Of any fraud 10 connee
tion With that election, or Ia mlilmen.
Of ang promise Of reward that had beef
made bin, CT that or any other conside
ration whatever. On the contrary / as
ssr upon my honor as a senator
which Rm prepared TO maiatair
upon my oath, that do no
know and | never have believed
that auy such frauds we're, in fact, oyel
c]ommiiedj that | do not know that apJ
promise WAS ever made Anderson or 90,
one else 10 confederation for iraueulen.
services, n connection with the Preal
STANDARDIZATION. Anderson ihlay ltll'
intercourse with him, (all Of which hsl
taken place since Marth Alb, 1871 neye
asserted, expressly or by any %inunendo
that Sherman or any one else he'd eVei
promised him ollse or Anything else
either for doisS ~,saS Or right nevel
asked anything from me or through MI
by virtue Of any such promise 90 th,
contrary, Asderson expressly an'
pas6iooalely appealed 10 mo Of
The sole ground that be had ron
dsred honest, honorable, lawful an
efieieat tefyies 8 ;hs Republican cans
10 Louisiana NJ lhe sacrifice o. time AM
money and the Beril OF hl6 life, aud lha