The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-06-27
The Potter Resolutions.

We give below the Potter resolutions in
full for the information OF our readers, and
suggest that those who may feel an interest IN
the questions involved should preserve them,
as well as the resolution Of MIR. Burchard, and
the report of the House judiciary Committee
on the Presidents title. They will come up
for discussion frequently in the future
"WHEREAs, The state of Maryland has by its
Legislature formally declared that due erect
was not given to the electoral vote cast ny tnat
State on the sixth day OF December, 1876 by rea-
son Of fraudulent returns in the electoral votes
from the States of Florida and Louisiana.
WHEREAS, An affidavit by Samuel B. McLin
Chairman Of the Board OF State Canvassers OF the
State of Florida for the election held IN That
State in November, 1876 for the election OF Pres
ident and Vice President has been made public.
alleging force and fraudulent returns IN the
votes for such election in that State, whereby the
choice of the people in that STATE was 3 annailed
of State Canvassers making such returns was IN
fuenced by the conduct and promise OF the hon.
Edward F. Noyes now Minister OF the Govern
ment to France ;and,
WHEREAS, 1t is alleged that CONSPIRACY ex-
listed in the State of Louisiana. whereby the Re
publican vote in all the precincts OF the PARISH
OF East Felincia and in some OF the precincts OF
West Felincia, at the general election on Novem-
Der 26, 1876 was purposely withheld from the
polls to afford pretext for the exclusion by the
Returning Board Of that State of the vote cast in
these Precincts for the electors OF PRESIDENT ana
Vice President, and that James E. Anderson.
Supervisor of Registration OF East Felincia and
D. A. Weber, Supervisor OF Registration in the
Parish OF West Felincia, in that State in further
ance Of that conspiracy falsely protested that the
election in such precincts had not been fair and
free, and that the State Returning Board there
upon falsely and fraudulently excluded the votes
Of said precincts. and by means thereof and OF
other fraudulent actions by the Returning
Board, the choice of the people OF that state was
annulled and reversed and that such action OF
said Wells and Anderson was induced and en-
couraged by the assurance OF Hon. John Sher-
man, Secretary of the Treasury of the United
States and
WHEREAS. The gravity of these charges the
nature OF the evidence upon which they are re
ported to be based, and the official dignity and
position OF the persons named in connection
with said frauds, make it proper that the same
should be inquired into to the end that the honor
OF the nation may be indicated and the truth
as to such elections made known; therefore be
it
Resolued. That select committee, consisting
of eleven members OF this House be appointed JC
inquire into the aforesaid allegations to the
conduct OF the persons in office aforesaid in re
spect of said election, and into the alleged fase
and fraudulent canvass. and the return of the
votes by the State, county, parish and precinct
officers in the said States OF Louisiana and Flori
da, and into all facts which in the Judgment O.
said committee are connected with as pertinent
thereto and that said committee for the purpose
OF executing this resolution, shall have power t(
send for persons and papers /; to administer oaths
and to take testimony, and in their discreet On te
detail sub committees with like tull authority O.
said committee, in every particular, and witt
power to sit in Florida and Louisiana, which
subcommittee shall be committees of The
House, and the chairman thereof shall be au
thoriZed to administer oaths; that said commit
tee and subcommittee may employ stenograph
ers and be attended each by a deputy sergeant
alarms, and may sit during the sessions OF this
House and during vacation, and that said com
mittee proceed in this inquiry and have leave tt
report at any time