The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-06-19
THE GHEAr QUESTION.
Views of Prr,minent Citizens OF the City
Upon tb1e Pending Investigation.

ing several leading citizens of the city re-
garding the Potter investigation, and as a re-
suit of the process presents the following:
GOVERNOR HENDRICKS.
There is no difficulty in gauging the gen.
eral sentiment of the democratic community
in regard to the Potter investigation, but 10
obtain an authoritative statement of any one
mans views is an entirely different thing.
This Is especially the case if a mans opinions
are of some account-that is if his business
and social standing are assured. Political
prominence is also to be taken into account,
and in that view of it first paid my respects
to Governor Hendricks. / found him deep
in the intricacies of a bankrupt case, which
be very courteously laid aside to hear my
wishes The context will show with what
extreme reluctance he acceded TO the ex-
pressed desire to learn his views, as follows:
Correspondent-What do you think OF the
Potter investigation?
Governor Hendricks have expressed my
opinions so frequently upon that subject
that quite dislike to repeat them. But
few days ago answered some questions pro-
bounded to me- which seemed to be COM
prehensive of the subject.
/ have not thought that it should be pur-
pose of the investigation to raise in question
the title of the present incumbent of the
presid, initial chair, but hope it will be very
thorough in the exposure OF the parties that
were guilty of the political fraud. Since the
publication of the letter which Mr.. Sherman
was hardly able to deny, of course every
body wants to know why he went down TO
Louisians, and what he did. And so OF Coy
ernor Noyes, and all who acted with them.
Not only the excited interest of the people,
but also public morality and political virtue
now require it.
L do not think that public interest or the
real welfare of the democratic party would
be promoted by seeking to disturb the presl-
l. ~. =.
effect of thorough exposure upon the re-
publican party, after having held the offices
for four years, without an election and by
fraud, will be inevitable.
Correspondent-Do you apprehend any in
terruptlon to business by the investigation?
Governor Hendricks-None whatever |
have understood that the prices of our west
ern commodities have advanced since il COM
menced.
Correspondent-May l ask if you think the
tranquility of the country is endangered by
the investigation?
Governor Hendricks-By no means. |
would think it strange il our people could
not conduct an investigation of any outrage
upon their rights without endaDgering the
public peace. There is more danger of our
Institutions becoming Mexicanized by re
peated and continued political frauds than
by investigation, exposure and extirpatlon.
1t has been quite singular to observe the fact
that political leaders and newspapers have
be IN concerned lest the investigation should
hurt the democratic party, and consolidIt
the republicans. | have better opinion OF
the republican party than to believe that it
can be consolidated and strengthened by the
EXPOSURE of high crimes which tend to cor
rupt and debase our institutions The peO-
pie will not rally and consolidate in support
made gain thereby. When the fscts are es-
tablished the public judgment will be sound
and patriotic.
HON. WILLIAM II. ENGLISH.
No introduction is needed in presenting
the views of this well known gentleman to
the public. He made his mark in state and
national politics before he became promi-
nent as a successful business man, and there
never has been a time since that his counsel
has not been sought and followed upon mat
tiers of difficult and delicate policy by men
in power. Recently Mr.. English has retired
from business and in the need Of pro
nounced and fearless leadership il is plain
that he will find it difficult to longer keep
out OF politics. Like Governor Hendricks,
be gave bis opinions with reluctance.
respOndent-What do you think OF the
Potter investigation?
Mr. Eoglish-I shall not answer your
question as a politician, for have noI been
in politics, as you know, for many years.
But from the standpoint of business man,
| must say that doubt whether 1t was wise
to institute such an investigation at this
late day. Just now what the country
most needs is quiet, a restoration Of conf
dence. more encouragement 20 capital TO en-
gage in business, better demand for labor,
a better feeling between the north and
SOUTH better feeling between all classes of
people, a speedy return to better times.
These desirable results are greatly
retarded by wild, visionary and dangerous
nd violent and iunondioru
Language and acts of pestiferous demagogues
both in and out OF congress. L by no means
place the Potter investigation with this
class, but, to break the force of the investi-
CATION republicans will give il that con-
struction, and thus produce the mischief of
alarming vast numbers of people. The effect,
therefore, in 50 far as it tends TO keep up ex
element and alarm, is bad, but it is no
longer an original question:; the investi-
CATION is now under way, and, whether 1t
was wise or unwise to have commenced il,
now that 1t Is commenced it would seem
best TO go on until all the facts are laid be-
fore the people.
Correspondent-Do you think the charges
OF fraud we'll founded?
Mr.. English--Yes. That monstrOus frauds
were perpetrlted In Louisiana and Florida,
have no doubt whatever. l believe that Til
den and Hendricks carried those states as
fairy as they carried Indiana. l believe
That Will NC Tue Julell Nv VI hiStolA. Iucoc
frauds were crime against common honesty,
as well as sgainst our republican institu-
tioLs; sn T. as certainly as penalty treads oa
the heels OF TIA 1sgres SON." will punishment,
in some way or other, be visited upon the
guilty
CoTresp, n!eat-If the alleged frauds be
established does it. in your judgment, follow
that Mr.. Hayes should be dlspossessed OF his
office?
Mr.. English-By no means. Mr.. Hayes is
president under the forms of law and by
judgment of a high judicial tribunal, in
whose decision both parties were substar-
TALLY pledged TO acquisscs. 1t is not at all
likely he will be found connected with the
frauds in such way as to justify calling his
title in question, even were it legally 20 ssh
bic to reopen or set aside the count under
which he holds his high Office.
The proper time to have made an issue on
his title has gone by. The republicans, in
attempting the impeachment of President
Johnson, established a precedent which,
possibly, might be, but is not likely to be-
/ followed in this case likely IN he snccpss-