Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-06-20
"EVIDENTLY NOT A FARCE. -
Opinions of an Independent Journal as
to the Results OF the Investigation.

Boston Herald: A week before the passage
of the Potter resolution by the house OF rep
resentatives the shrill voice of Alexander H.
Stephens, of Georgia, was heard proclaiming
that the proposed investigation would be
either a tragedy or farce. The inquiry has
ly it is not farce. Therefore, if Mr. Ste
phens's prediction is to be justified by the
event, the work of the select committee must
end in a tragedy. Let US measure some of
the serious developments of the lnvestiga-
ton:
l. It has been demonstrated that there was
an abundance OF interesting testimony, hlth-
erto covered up more or less perfectly, con-
corning the frauds in Louisiana and Florida.
This IT was advisable to have placed on rec
ord, to assist in the formation of a correct
public opinion. In this view the inquiry, al
ready, has amply justified itself.
2. Nothing whatever that scorches so much
as thread of the Presidents garment has
been established by a scrap of documentary
evidence, or by the testimony of any witness
whose oath should carry feathers weight.
According to present appearances Mr.. Hayes
walked on the Anderson matter with upright
circumspection, and brought out clean boots,
though the road was very muddy. In this
respect the developments undoubtedly fall far
below the expectation of the promoters Of
the investigation.
3. The promissory letter which Anderson
charges against Secretary Sherman is still in
the clouds. Up to the hour of writing Mrs.
jerks has made no sign, and the recent evl-
dence IN this connection has tendency rather
to deepen than to dissolve the mystery. Even
if the genuineness of the copy presented by
Anderson should be fully established, the
contents of the letter appear to be by no
means compromising, for they are entirely
susceptible of an honorable Interpretation.
But in that event the secretary's testimony,
LII, l1tg odd l,n
oath have taken that | never wrote such
letter." would require a good deal of expla
nation to reconcile it with righteousness.
f. 1t has been proved that Mr.. Stanley
Mathews made strenuous efforts to have the
promise of place for Anderson kept by Mr..
Hayes, and that he urged the ex-supervisor
to give up certain injurious documents which
he held, as condition of the assistance of
the senator in getting him an Office.
5. 1t has been shown by the conduct of Mr..
Mathews himself, that he played part which
he is now ashamed to have fully Investigated,
and that he has been willing to resort ID mis-
cradle expedients in order to save himself
from testifying before the house committee.
6. Facts have been brought to light show
ing that Mr.. Ferry, the vice-p president pro
tenn, laid before the two houses of congress,
at the time of the electoral count, set of re-
turns of the vote of Louisiana, containing at
least one forged signature, and, therefore, es-
sentlally counterfeit document, that these
returns were sent to the electoral commission
without one word of warning, and conse-
quently were accepted without suspicion by
that body. 1t appears, also, that the only re-
turn which was legally signed and certified
by the Republican electors of Louisiana was
irregular In form, and ofvery doubtful valid
ity.
z. A great deal of fresh and valuable light
has been thrown upon the utterly villainous
and lawless management of affairs and of
politics by the Republicans during the last
administration in Louisiana, Mr.. James E.
Anderson being, so to say, a prize package of
Republican rascality in that State.
8. The people have obtained good deal of
necessary and valuable information in regard
n the frauds IN the last Presidential count.
Toe sitting down of the testimony of the