The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-14
The sFraud'' Rssolution-An Excit-
ing Day in tho House.

attention. We have only the most
kindly and considerate sentiments
toward Mr.. Clarkson N. Potter. the
truly estimable gentleman who offered the
resolution. Mr.. Potter is ambitious to be
the next Governor Of New York. position
which he would grace and adorn, but which
he can have no reasonable hope of achiev-
ing against the opposition Of the Tilden
democrats. Mr.. Potter's relations with the
John Kelly or anti Tilden democrats are
genial and kindly, since he was Mr.. Kelly's
favorite candidate for the Governorship
when Mr.. Tilden, by one of his characters
tic feats of strategy, secured the nomina-
ton of Mr.. Robinson, the efficient and
downright Governor now in Office. Mr..
Tilden has evinced his usual craft and art
fitness in getting Mr.. Potter to offer and
take charge Of this resolution. No better
device could have been hit upon for blind
ing the country to the real purpose OF
this movement which is to reopen
the Presidential question. 1t is an
attempt to enter the wedge by its thin edge.
The ambition of Mr.. Potter to be Governor
Of New York has been played upon to make
him cat's-paw for Mr.. Tilden's chest
nuts. Governor Robinson is de-
servedly popular man with the demo-
cratic party Of New York, and the Tilden
influence added to his own strength would
easily secure him denomination. But If
the Tilden influence were diverted to Mr..
Potter this gentleman, unless Mr.. Kelly
should desert him, would have fair chances
for the next nomination. Mr.. Potter
has been seduced and cajoled by this
bait, and his course in the House
yesterday betrays his anxiety to stand well
with both the Tilden faction and the Kelly
faction in his own State. While allowing
himself to be made Mr.. Tilden's tool in
demanding an investigation he evinced his
allegiance to the Kelly faction by disclaim-
ing any intention to reopen the Presidential
question. We regret that gentleman of
Mr.. Potter's ability and standing has been
misled by his ambition into playing this
trimming and shutting part in SO conspicu-
Gus q theatre. He will not secure
the coveted democratic nomination
for the Governorship by this kind
of legerdemain. His quasi allegiance
to Tilden will ALLEVIATE his old friend
Kelly, who pushed him for the Governor
ship in the democratic State Convention Of
1875, and the friends Of Governor Robinson
will contribute to his defeat.
We suppose there can no longer be any
doubt that the movement in the House yes
terday was instigated by Mr.. Tilden. Had
he remained in Europe, or. had he died
on his homeward voyage, nobody
would have undertaken to reopen the
question of Mr. Hayes title. Mr.. Tilden
has always prided himself on the secret,
underhand method which he calls ''still
hunt" and his disguised hand is apparent
in this attempt to unsettle the great national
decision made in February, 1877. He has
been behind Montgomery Blair as a
prompting and directing spirit as he is
behind Mr.. Potter in the resolu-
ton which was moved yesterday. His
selfish and INSCRIPTIONS ambition subordi-
mates the public tranquility to his personal
aims. Had Mr.. Tilden, either by public
declaration or by private intimation to his
friends, discountenanced any attempt to
disturb the title of President Hayes
the country would have heard moth
ing of the present investigation. This
sore-headed, disappointed man is the one
party in interest, the one active abettor Of
Mr.. Blair, the one prompter and pay
master of the burrowing investigations
in Florida which fulfilled their aim
in the resolution offered in the
House yesterday by Mr.. Potter. That Mr..
Tilden is at the bottom Of this movement
is evident from the fact that he is the only
man in the country who has personal
interest in tearing open the settlement made
by Congress through the Electoral Commits
sion. A single word from him, the faintest
hint from him, would have arrested this
whole business. Instead Of checking it he
has promoted it. Mr.. Blair's memo
rial and Mr.. Potters resolution are
the open results Of ''still hunt" by
the arch intriguer in Gramercy Park.
A discussion Of the subject which
did not recognize his plotting hand
would be like the play Of "Hamlet"
with the part of Hamlet omitted. No dis
corning man can be hoodwinked by Mr.
Tilden's artful attempts at concealment
He cannot be permitted to escape the re-
sponsibllity which he lacks the courage to
avow.
The resolution which Mr.. Potter offered
in the House yesterday cannot be
described as q triumphant success. Its
supporters ''reckoned without their host"
and by an easy parliamentary device 1t was
stranded for the day. 1t is not the first
time that Mr.. Tilden has had occasion to
realize that
There's many q slip
'rwixt tho cup aud the lip.
The simple refusal Of the republicans to
vote foiled the democrats and exposed them
to jecring derision. Their confident at
tempt to drive the resolution through,
under the whip and spur Of the