The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-29
Mr.. Po.t.r's Rsassuring Letter.

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of Hon. Clarkson N. Potter, printed yester-
day, is calculated to quiet anxiety as to the
effect OF the investigation to be conducted
by committee of which he is chairman.
Candid citizens will accept as sincere the
declaration OF Mr.. Potter's personal belief
that the investigation will not upset Presi-
dent Hayes title. They will be glad of
this disclaimer by the gentleman who
holds the mos. conspicuous and influential
position in the inquiry TO be sure,
the tone Of his declarations is hating,
though conservative; but we do not
see how he could have gone further with
out discrediting the investigation of which
he is the appointed champion. He does
not depart from the role assigned him by his
party in attempting to quiet public appre-
tensions but it is not his cue to belittle
the investigation or to predict that nothing
serious will come Of it. His republican
critics do not make allowance for the ex-
igencies of Mr.. Potter's position. All that
could reasonably have been expected from
the leading advocate Of the investigation
and the chairman Of the committee was
disavowal Of revolutionary intentions 1t
was not for him to suggest doubts
IS to the expediency Of new scru-
tiny Of the frauds, that being a mat
ter on which he has gone too far
to retreat +; but it is quite consistent with
his position and party relations to show, or
attempt to show, that the prosecution of
the inquiry need not be disquieting There
is force in some of the reasons he assigns,
but more cogent reason why the investiga-
ton will not disturb either Mr. Hayes or
the country is that no new facts OF impor-
lance are likely to be developed. We be-
lieve that the Investigation will prove to
be fiasco. and therefore attach no impor-
lance to such of Mr. Potter's expressions rs
point to possible Interior consequences.
"What," says he, elf anything, should be
done because OF the inquiry, must depend
ances indicate that the results Of the in
quiry will not be important enough to JUS
tify Interior action, and that the reports of
the committee will be of little consequence,
even as campaign literature.
Holding this view and entertaining for
Mr.. Potter personally sentiments Of I'M
feigned respect, we think we can discuss
and dispassionate spirit. Even from his
own points Of view this investigation is a
mistake, although it is politically impossi-
BILE for him to say so. even if he begins to
suspect that the mountain in travail will
bring forth a mouse. purposeless inves-
tigation would be an absurdity, and since
Mr. Potter declares that it is not the purpose
OF the impending investigation to dispos-
sess President Hayes we wish he had defined,
with at least some distant attempt at pre-
cision, what it's aim really is. In one part Of
his letter Mr.. Potter denounces returning
boards; but he admits in the same breath
that they can do little harm when federal
troops are not stationed to support and abet
them in the preparation Of frauds. Mr.
Potters argument on this point is mud.
die. Let us separate the two questions
which he confounds The propriety of re-
turning boards is one question; the inter-
ference Of federal soldiers to control the
counting Of votes in an election is another
and different question. What is called
returning board is simply board of State
canvassers, such as exists, in some form, in
the machinery for ascertaining the result
of elections. The powers with which
such boards are clothed are within the
exclusive jurisdiction Of the State govern
ments, and Congress has no authority to
interfere with State discretion III organ
izing the State Board of Canvassers. Mr..
Potters invcctive against returning boards
is therefore irrelevant from every point of
view, and especially from the democratic
point of view, which respects the right of
the States to manage their own elections.
This part of Mr.. Potter's letter is weak,
illogical and undemocratic. If it be the
purpose Of the investigation to suppress the
returning boards which he denounces
it's aim is repugnant to the constitution as
it has always been interpreted by the demo-
cratic party itself
But if tho investigation looks to the pre-
vention of federal interference or the en-
ployment Of federal troops to influence the
voting or the counting of votes in n State
Mr.. Potter's committee is organizing cam
paign against dead corpses on an old field
of battle The policy of federal interfer-
ence in State elections is exploded and
abandoned. 1t is danger which has be-
come so chimerical that citizens of the
Southern States have ceased to have any
further apprehensions on the subject. But
unless military interference should be re-
peated there is not the slightest danger of
future frauds like those perpetrated in
Louisiana and Florida. So long as the DEM
ocrats control either branch of Congress il
is in their power to prevent the use of
troops in State elections, and there is no
need of investigation to justify the with
holding of such power. If the army keeps
.shands off, there can b. no repetition OF
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