Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-04-24
THE FLORIDA CONFESSION.
What is Thought About 1t In Wash.
inEtOn.


had forwarded to Washington confession,
which i'm effect compromised their integrity in
declaring the vote of Florida for Hayes and
Wheeler and which vote they admit was ille-
gally and fraudulently counted, creates hardly
any excitement among the politicians The
details by telegraph are too meagre to guage
the extent OF the socalled confession, and its
no such document had been received by
Speaker Randall, the officer to whom it is
sion made upon the minds of a large
number OF Congressman is that while the re-
port OF the confession may be true it can be of
have President HAYES Ousted from his office,
because his title does not rest upon the vote of
any OF the disputed states, but upon the de-
cisiOn of the electoral commission. There are
many members who seriously believe that the
confession just made is a part of the plan the
IlIden managers have concocted to keep the
great wrong he (Tiden) and many others be-
lieve he has suffered with view of trotting
out the Grammarcy Park statesman as the
great martyr candidate in 1880. These also
believe that the recent Conkling interview is
part and parcel of the plan.
-. 1t Is evident that lat SON some powerful influence is
at work on the TildeE line. A few weeks ago
montgomery Blair'S resolutions were almost
laughed out of court: but it is learned that to-
day the. Judiciary committee of the House
agreed to- make the, investigation contem-
plated in the Maryland resolutions, not for the
sake of trying to disturb President Hayes in
the occupancy of the Executive chair, but to
toral count, about which the air has always
been charged with wild rumors.
THE FLORIDA DELEGATION
IN Congress have no knowledge of the confess
sion, which is said to be in Washington or en-
route and declare that their first intimatiOn of
L, Il came n7, to them through the public prints.
They all, however, seem to credit the state
ment that a confession has been made, and
that it has been OF will be sent to Montgomery
Blair. who seems to be the Major DOmo for
sbrek de n mis- to KEEP tne old
that whoever receives it will have it put into
the hands OF some member of Congress, so
that it can be called officially to the attention
OF the country through the House of Repre-
sentatiyeS: There are few members of Con-
gress who believe the alleged confession to be
bogus, and that the agent of the Associated
Press at Jacksonville has been imposed upon.
What Hon. MOntg merry Blair
Thinks About 1t.
reporter of THE STAR found Hon. Mont
gomery Blair in his office at his residence on
Pennsylvania avenue this morning. The re-
porter inquired of him if he had seen the dis
and Dennis, of the Florida state canvassng
board? Mr.. Blair leaned back in his chair
and replied that he had.
Blair: 81 think it a confession, though
tardy, on the part OF the criminals
MIR. BLAIR DIsAVOWs HAVING HAD ANYTHING
TO DO WITH THE CONFESSION.
do you know, Mr.. Blair, that it is hint
ed that you had a good deal to do with this
confession that, in fact it is part of your
campaign against the Presldent?" asked the
rep0i ter
Blair: That suspicion is unfounded, and
any statement to that effect is untrue. l re-
celVe great deal more credit from the news
papers than deserve. | can't even 90 to the
Capitol to attend to my court business unless
1t IS announced that Montgomery Blair was
at NE Capitol today trying to arouse members
OF OF Congress to active, participation in his
scheme for unSeating Hayes Now, the truth
IS that have not spoken to more than half a
6aXng 6oxfm rn on t2t subject without their
Star: do you consider this alleged confess
sion IeI Iahff OF much value; will it have much
Blair: "By, it one pregnant circumstance
has been added to what everybody already
knews kne% 4h Every person OF average Intelligence
Knows knows that Hayes was not elected. The con
ieSSlOn strengthens truth which no one
doubts. Mr.. Barlow, attorney general of New
York. himself said that Hayes was not elected
1t is confession of the fellows who aided in
THE GREAT FRAUD"
StGr: What We're the motives, do You
ff61nk} f6rnsa}q which led to the confessions was it
Blair: The confession is, 1 think, wholly
voluntary | understand that McLin has
recently had a series of misfortunes. He
This, with other misfortunes, has awakened
him, and his conscience has been pricked.
There is no doubt but that this confession is
genuine and wholly voluntary
Star: Why has it been sent to Washing
ton?"
Blair: II Suppose because this place is the
locus OF public opinion, and because the at
tention of Congress can be directly called
star: " VIII it be
Blair II FfdsFsgaR dsTs saR i to nii{3s fpSeREss'
81 star: m How W car can it be brought to the atten.
arising and saying that he had an authentic
document in his possession, bearing on the
subject now before the judiciary committee
which ne would like to have referred to that
star Gould G you tell me to whom the docu-
men can find that, out. All know is what
see in the papers"
MIR: BLAIR HOPEFUL OF HIS PLAN.
thing will come of this whole matter?''
Blair: :. Certainly 1 do. l believe Mr..
HAYES Win be be- turned out OF the position he
American people are so utterly devoid of
of President"
Star: "You intend, then, to keep up your
Blair: There it is again! My movement?
PERSIST Riayng Bars
on. it is no movement of mine. It is a mo- move. e.
ment of the people, which is perhaps slowly, but
steadily extending. The papers will talk of
how Blair got his little bill through the Mary.
land legiSlature,' and speak as if owned the
whole of that body and also the state of Mary.
land. The truth is that the bill would have
passed the legislature before it did If it had not
been introduced by me.'
MR. TILDEN NO HAND IN IT.
Star: " Mr.. Blair it is hnted that Mr. Tilden
induced you to adopt the course you have pur-
sued In advocating the question Of the VALIDITY
OF the Presidents 8 title, is that true?"
Blair: No. Mr.. Tilden has had no hand i'm
any thing that have done. do not think he
is any way connected with these matters,
They are the result Of honest public senti-
ment."
Star: " Did you frame the bill which has
been introduced in Congress-
Blair: mo, / did not. 1t was drawn I'D
originally by Mr.. David Dudley Field. 1t is
now before the judiciary committee and am
trying to attend to my law business"
thanking Mr.. Blair for his courtesy, the re.
porter withdrew.
The confession not worth the PaDer
on which 1t is Written.
prominent administration Senator being
asked by the STAR reporter what he thought
OF the confession; inquired If the reporter had
copy OF the dispatch announcingi it with him.
The reporter handed him a copy The Sena
tor marked the following paragraph, and re.
QueSted the reporter to read it: "After
Dennis made his confession eleven indict
ments against him found in Alachua and
Levey counties, were nOlle pressed" "That
paragraph Is the whole story 81 III tha Sopotnr