Daily Los Angeles herald., 1878-04-21
MONTGOMERY BLAIR'S BILL.
An Interview with Mr., Blair-The People
Defrauded of their Rights.
From the Detroit News

Mr.. Blair-I am aware that many
Democrats have private reasons
for desiring that the contest shall
not be opened. But have no fears
that any Democrat will attempt to
defeat the passage Of the bill. They
dare not do it. There is power
behind this measure that no Dem
ocrat will care to encounter or op.
pose.
Correspondent-To what do you
allude?
Mr.. Blair-The people, who have
been defrauded of their rights, aud
who care more for the perpetuity
of republican government than for
the ambitious schemes of rival
Presidential candidates, whose
prospects for 1880 W ould be jeopar-
died by seating Mr.. Tilden in the
chair to which everybody knows
and admits he was elected. l am
perfectly well aware that there are
many Democrats who wou!d like
to let this matter rest where it is;
but when it comes to voting on
the bill they will not dare to man
ifest their opposition. / foul nd
them in the Maryland Legisla-
| ture.
Correspondent = Did you meet
with much opposition there? l see
the vote in favor OF your resolution
was very large.
Mr.. Blair-When 1 first intro
duced it l could get but six Demo-
Gratis to consent to its Introduction
or to promise to. support it. But
they knew that l had the senti-
ment Of the great mass of the
Democratic party with me, and
they did not care to oppose that.
1t has been said here in Washing
ton that l am a very magnetic
man and that 1 carried my resolu-
ton through merely because Of my
great personal influence. The idea
is absurd-it's all bosh. The power
of my "magnetism" and personal
influence ia illustrated by the vote
l got for Senator in the body
which is said to be controlled by
me.
Correspondent - How many did
you get?
Mr.. Blair-Two; that is the eX.
tent of my personal influence in
that body. My resolution was
passed because 1t was right, and be.
cause the Democratic members oil
the Legislature knew that the peo-
pie demanded it at their hands
And that Is the way members oil
Congress will view it. Why, sir,
every man of common sanse knows
that it would be death to the Dem
ocratic party if Its representatives
in Congress should solemnly refuse
to avail themselves of the provis'
ions of the Electoral law in refer
ence to the adjudication of the
question. The Republicans could
then say to US, "You dared not try
the case before judicial tribunal
You have accused US of stealing
the Presidency, but you shranl
from having the charge investi
gated, because you knew that the
charge was false. 1t is you who at
tempted to steal the Presidency, bu
you failed" No; if we are ever t
succeed in electing Democratic
President we must show the people
that we desire success, and that we
will not tamely submit to be robbed
of the fruits of our victory when we
do succeed. There are hundreds Of
thousands of Democrats in the
country to-day who will never vote
Democratic ticket again if we dc
not at least make an honest effor
to right the monstrous wrong which
has been done by robbing them Of
their franchises.
Correspondent-But how about
the Republicans in Congress. Will
they not oppose your bille
Mr.. Blair-No, sir. With what
show of consistency could they
refuse to allow Mr.. Tilden to avail
himself Of the rights which are
conceded in the electoral law itsel
that of having the question ad'
Indicated before the Supreme
Court. Besides, l do not imagine
that in the present temper Of Re-
Publican Congressman they will