The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-05-17
Investigating Fraud.


investigation into the frauds in the electoral
count in Florida and Louisiana in 1876, The
preamble refers to the memorial of the Mary
land Legislature, known rs the Blair resolu-
ton, which declares that "due effect was not
given to the electoral vote cast by that State
ON the 9th day of December, 1876, by reason
of fraudulent returns in the electoral votes
from the States of Florida and Louisiana"
The preamble also alludes to the affidavit
of Samuel B. McLin, ex-Secretary of State
and chairman of the State board of canvass
ers of Florida, alleging fraud in the election
returns in that State, and that the canvassers
in making such fraudulent returns were in
fluenced by the conduct and promises of Hon.
Edward F. Noyes, now Minister to France.
The preamble to Mr.. Potter's resolution
charges that the alleged election frauds in
Louisiana were induced and encouraged by
the assurances of Hon. John Sherman, now
Secretary ofthe Treasury. The reasons why
an investigation should be made are then
stated as follows:
of the evidence upon which they are report
ed to be based and the official dignity and
position of the persons named in connection
with the said frauds, make it proper that the
same should be inquired into to the end that
the honor of the nation may be vindicated,
and the truth as to such elections be made
known"
The resolution which follows provides for
the appointment of select committee, con-
sisting of eleven members of the House, with
full powers TO inquire into the allegations
concerning Noyes and Sherman, and into the
alleged election frauds in Florida and Louis
lana.
The presentation of the resolution raised n
storm of objections from the Republicans,
who argued against the resolution being
privileged, but the Speaker ruled that it was
Il privileged question. Mr.. Hale, of Maine,
then sought to offer an amendment, which it
was understood proposed an investigation in
half dozen other States than those named
in the Potter resolution. Mr.. Potter declar-
ed that the amendment was intended to pre-
vent an etfectual investigation, and refused
to accept it, as well as other amendments
that were offered He then insisted upon n
vote, when the Republicans withheld their
votes and the House was left without q
quorum. On account of the absence of a
number of Democrats no business whatever
could be transacted without the votes ofscme
of the Republicans to make up quorum,
and as they held out, the House adjourned
until Tuesday, without acting on the resolu-
tion.
On Tuesday the roll-call showed that the
deadlock still continued, if the Republicans
refused to vote. This they did and the Dem
ocrats being determined TO press the passage
of the resolution before any other business
was taken up, adjourned the House until
Wednesday.
On Wednesday, owing to the continued
absence of number Of Democrats and the
pairing of others with Republicans, Mr.. Pot
ters resolution lacked the requisite number
Of Democrats to pass it, and an adjournment
was again effected
The issue appears now to be sharply drawn.
The Democrats have avowed their determi-
nation 10 transact no other business until a
vote is obtained on the Potter resolution
On the other hand, the Republicans are
equally determined to exhaust every dilatory
motion to prevent its passage.
The object of this investigation is not to re-
open the question of President Hayes's title.
Many leading Democrats, as well as Repub-
licans, regard that as SO firmly settled by the
solemn act of Congress creating the Electoral
Commission, that any act to test his title, ex-
cept by authority of II Constitutional amend
ment, would be revolutionary. On the other
hand, the act creating the Electoral Commits
sion distinctly provided for en- appeal to the
courts by either of the claimants to the Pres-
dency.
Constitutional lawyers may give any opin-
ion they please upon this point, but the ques-
ton now is, shall the men who flagranlly
and openly violated the law; who set aside
and changed the result of Presidential cleo
ton, and thus inflicted injury upon all the
states and upon our free institutions be al.
lowed to go unpublished? The evidence
against them is too strong to be lightly set
aside, and Republicans and Democrats are
alike interested in preserving the integrity of
the ballot,upon which alone our freedom rests.
Surely, ii an excuse is sought for the pro-
posed investigation, the evidence brought for
ward now s enough Senator Conklng,
Republican leader, has darkly ntimated that
he is in possession acknowledge touching the
Presidential election in Louisiana, that
would sink the administration in infamy.
chairman of the board of canyassers
and Secretary of the State of Florida, at the
time of the election, declares under oath that
frauds were committed, by which the result
was changed, and that Edward F, Noyes, now
United States Minister to France, influenced
these frauds by certain promises Afidavts
of similar character have also been made in
relation to the result in Louisiana, and John
Sherman, Hayes's Secretary of the Treasury,
is implicated as guilty party. The ques-
ton, therefore, is not who benefited by the
frauds, but who committed them. The Re.
publicans in Congress in blocking the inves-
tlgation place themselves in the position of
apologists and defenders of fraud, and this
responsibility they must assume before the
whole country. Their excuse that they de-
sire the investigation to be extended to other
States, also, is weak device. tits customa-
nv in courts to trV one coco Mt a timo ~
the Louisiana and Florida case be first dis
posed of. Then other States may be taken
up. Let fraud be made odlous, and every
guilty man, Republican or Democrat, be pun
ished.