The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-06-13
Hon. Stanley Matthews Full and Com.
nlAfn denial

Mamma, God Knows all the rest"
Hon. Stanley Matthews Full and Com
plete Denial.
In the United States Senate on the 9Th
inst, Mfr. Stanley Matthews, United States
Senator from Ohio, arose aud said
Mr.. President, rise to personal expla-
nation and a question of privilege. feel
that owe a duty to myself, as we'll as to
the Senate, which, however unpleasant,
cannot 10 justice to either further postpone
or omit.
The newspapers. published here and else.
where, contain reports of statements, made
under oath, in another place, in reference to
my self, which are calculated to reflect upon
my character and standing as member OF
this honorable body. These statements ap-
pear to be designed to establish
First. That was in some way connected,
by participation or encouragement, in the
preparation of alleged frauds In the Pres.
Dental election in 1875 in Louisiana, at or
about the time of the canvass and return
thereof
Second. That was party or privy to prom
ises of protection and reward to officers
charged with duties in connection with that
election and the returns thereof, made in
consideration OF frauds and perjuries, COM
mitted or to be committed by them in refer
ence thereto.
Third. That having. subsequent knowl-
edge of such frauds, and of such promises
for the purpose of concealing the former by
assisting in the execution Of the lat
ter, used my personal and official intlu-
clal employment in the executive depart
| ment of the government.
To each Of these accusations, whether ex-
pressed or implied, reply by an emphatic
denial.
| deny that was connected, in any way.
5yparticipation or encouragement, by kEowl-
edge, consent. or connivance with any
frauds, real or pretended in the Louisiana
| election.
[ deny that [ was party or privy to any
promises of protection or reward to any one,
in consideration Of the commission by them
Of any frauds, real or pretended, in that
election.
| deny that I made efforts to procure an
official appointment for Mr.. Anderson, with
the knowledge or belief on my part that he
or any one else had been guilty of any fraud
in connection with that election, or in fulfill
ment of any promise OF reward that had
been made to him OH that or on any other
consideration whatever.
On the contrary, assert upon my honor
as Senator, which am prepared to main.
tain upon my oath, that do not know and
never have believed that any such frauds
were In fact ever committed.
That do not know that any promise YVES
ever made to Anderson or any one else in
consideration of fraudulent services in con.
nection with the Presidential election. An
derson. in my little intercourse with him
all of which has taken place since March A.
1877. never asserted, expressed or by any
inuendo, that Mr.. Sherman or any one else
had ever promised him office or anything
else, either for doing wrong or right, anC
never asked anything from me or through
me by virtue of any such promise. On the
contrary. Anderson expressly and passion
ately appealed to me on the sole ground tina
he had rendered honest, honorable, Lawful
and efficient service to the Republican cause
in Louisiana at the sacrifice of time, ant
peril 10 his life; and that he had for tina
cause incurred odium and hostility from
political opponents.
The only wrong | understand Or believe
him to be guilty of was in having previously
untruly pretended that he had been guilt,
of the things he now again pretends to con
TESS. That wrong l had no intimation o
until after his appeal to me for my aid hat
been responded to by an offer of my goo,
will in his behalf. His disclosure of it will
the delivery of the false docum ents whicl
constituted it, l supposed was intended b,
him and was regarded by me ss the atone
ment for and undoing of it. Upon that foot
ing only 1 received them it never for
moment occurring to me that the posses
sion Of them by me, could be misconstrue,
into an offence, and believing that the onl
use which their publication could serv
would be to propagate a mischievous an
scandalous falsehood.
The only error, if there be one, of which
am conscious. is in having recommended t
office person who had meditated or pro
; posed wrong, but had, as it appeared t
me, withdrawn from performing it.
But as there seems to be an attempt t
magnify it with one link in what is allege
to have constituted a conspiracy against i'm
portant public rights, and as the colorin
thNs sought to be given my conduct affect
body, l consider it a matter Of privilege ths
the Senate should inquire into the subject q
affecting it not less than myself.
s have the hono- accordingly to subm
0 the following resolution
Resolved, That select committee of seve
Senators be appointed TO inquire into an
t consider all things touching the matter
stated and referred to by the Senator fror
Ohio, (Mr. Matthew'S and the events cor
nected Herewith; and particularly wins
connection, if any, that Senator had wit
any real or pretended frauds or other wron
committed in the conduct and returns OF I'll
election in the State of Louisiana in 1871
and with any promises Of protection or r.
. ward, ii any, made by any one to James
: Anderson or others, in consideration of,
e connection with. any official conduct of sa
n Anderson or others in relation to the sal
election or the returns thereof, and into a
the circumstances of any recommendatio
J. by the said Senator of the said Anderson +,
y the appointment to office, and that the sa
committee have power to send for person
and papers, to employ a clerk and stem
grapher, and have leave to sit during Il