Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-06-20
SHERMAN AND MATTHEWS.


SHERMAN AND MATTHEW'S.
Ho,v T7.ey Haze Compromised Themselves
During the Pending Investigation.
New York Times.]
IfMessrs. Sherman and Matthews, in their
dealings with the Investigating committee,
obey the dictates of their own judgment, it
is clear that they have no adequate concep-
ton of the case they are respectively re-
quired to meet, or Of the impression that
prevails with regard to them. If they are
guided by the advice of others, they will
perhaps discover that protested friends are
sometimes more dangerous that open enc
mics. Considering Mr. Sherman's reputation
for shrewdness, his course is inexplicable.
His first defiant letter was we'll enough. It
sounded like the outburst of an honest man,
who having been unjustly aspersed, de-
manded an immediate opportunity of vindi-
eating himself. His talk with newspaper
correspondents who called upon him for in
formation was of the same character. Very
different, however, has been his conduct
since the committee opened the proceedings.
A damaging letter, bearing his signature,
was produced. The contents were fairly
susceptible of construction which an
honorable man would not like to have placed
upon his action. Mr.. Sherman g vindication
depends upon his ability to explain away
the suspicious epistle or to rid himself of it
as forgery. Before the committee he did
neither. Instead of denying the authorship,
he met the question with equiyocations
which may not be incompatible with inno-
cence but are more naturally suggestive of
embarrassed guilt. The matter stands now
as he left it then. He has, indeed, com
municated second time with the commit
tee, but for what purpose? To convey the
names of witnesses "who,'' he says, twill
prove that outrages and intimidation were
perpetrated upon white and black Republi-
can voters in Louisiana and requesting
that these witnesses be called. We have no
doubt that plenty of witnesses can be OBJ
tanned to testify upon this point, ard the
committee will convict itsef of gross partisan
ship if, before its labors end, facilities be
not afforded Republicans for establishing
their version of the Louisiana election. But,
in the meantime, what most concerns Mr..
Sherman is the justification, explanation, or
denial of the letter which stands upon the
records of the committee and is accepted by
the greater part of the community as in
compatible with the political integrity of
the visiting statesman" and his own purity.
Until this task be performed-until he clear
himself of the bad obor which that letter
elnits-he cannot with propriety figure in
the case.
AS Mr.. Stanley Matthews has been doing
foolish things ever since the friendship of
Mr.. Hayes invested him with political
prominence, his letter to the Potter COM
mittee will excite little surprise A public
o<,E
extent to which his character is shattered is
not likely to be in hurry to respond to
courteous request for explanations. Had
the invitation prescribed period or condi-
tons at variance with his Senatorial duties
he might, for the time, have declined COM
pliance. This plea is not available. The
committee left him to consult his con-
venience. And he informs the committee
that he does not intend to appear at all!
The manner in which he conveys the intima-
ton is SO disingenuous, not to say false, and
the reason he assigns is so untenable, that
the only conclusion possible is that he
shrinks from an investigation not shaped to
suit his own ends. The Senate, he says,
''has taken jurisdiction and entered upon
the investigation requested by himself. and
for that committee he reserves his explana-
ton. If every accused person could thus
evade the tribunal having legitimate pos
session of a case, the administration of JUS
tice would be mockery. Iammany and
Erie carried that state of things to perfec-
ton when they owned Judges, and con-
trived to have everything tried before them.
Mr. Matthews would fain fellow the example.
The Senate committee bears no resemblance
to the Tammany judiciary, but Mr. Mat
thews' attempt to make it the sole custodian
of matters that were previously in the
hands of the House committee is as i'm
pudent as anything done by Fisk and Gould
when the Erie frauds were at their height.
OF course, Mr.. Matthews cannot escape thus
easily. The subpoena ordered on Saturday
raises an issue which, in the interest of JUS
tice, admits of but solution. If he still
have any discretion, he will obey the
subpoena and meet, however reluctantly, the
investigation which the documents bearing
his signature render inevitable. If his fears
him to plead "privileges," he will virtually
of a committee politically adverse, and the
worst impression produced by his letters,
and his acknowledged relations with Ander-
son, will be confirmed.
We cannot believe, however, that the
Senate would sustain the pretenson behind
which Mr.. Matthews evidently desires to
shelter himself. OF the courtesy due by q
member of one chamber to committee of
the other, we need not speak. Senator
Ferry has shown how readily a man con
scious of his integrity himself of an opportu-
nifty of clearing up transactions that might
be interpreted unfavorably, and his testi.
mony, in itself satisfactory, derives addi.
tional weight from the frankness of his &C.
ton. If Mr.. Matthews had as clear case az
Mr.. Ferry, would not MIR. Matthews be
equally ready to state it? Whatever his
case may prove to be, the unanimous adop
ton by the committee of Gen. Buffers re
solution shows how his letter is regarded by
Republicans as well as Democrats. Gen
Buffers argument is unanswerable. The
gravest charges mis- ht remain unanswered j
a Senator or Representative who happens t,
be involved could with impunity refuse t,
testify. Privilege has its uses, but the con
cealment of truth is not one of them.
Defeat or Victory.
Polk County Journal
I Whatever his position was you could de
pend upon his untiring efforts in its accom-
plishment. The thing in nutshell is sim
ply this. Stewart and defeat-or Washbur
Y AID victory.
! MONEY AND TRADE.
FINANCIAL.
t Money and Stocks.
, New YORK, June 10.
!, Gold 1oos5 @100A.
/ Borrowing rates Q, 4 and 1854 per diem.
Bar silver 1l5A, gold.