The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-29

WAS HIN GTON.
Removal Of the Financial Difficulties
Of the Teller Committee.
A QUICK DECISION.
The Department Of Justice Decides in
Favor Of the Investigators.
MR.. BLAIN-'S UTTER.
Secretary Evarts' Diplomatic Cor
respondence With Mexico.
DEPARTMENTAL REDUCTIONS
Mr.. BLAIN-'S LITTER.
Secretary Evarts' Diplomatic Cor
respondence With Mexico.
. DEPARTMENTAL REDUCTIONS
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON, Dec. %, 1878.
MEETING OF THE BLAINE COMMITTEE
DIFFICULTIES CANNOT INVESTIGATE WITHOUT
FUNDS.
The Teller committee met at quarter past two
o'clock this afternoon, under call issued by the
chairman, in the expectation that communication
would be received from Comptroller Porter. review
ing and reversing his recent opinion as to
the availability for the purpose of this CON-
mttee of the $20.0OO appropriation of last
session. There were present Senator'S Teller
Cameron, Of Wisconsin; Krkwood, Garland and
Bailey. The chairman laid before the COM
mttee copy of letter addressed by him to the
Comptroller, yesterday the subject of the diff
Guilty which has arisen from the use of the word
sad." in the second section of the act Of June TO-
1878. which limits the of tho appropriation to
defrayng the expenses of said Investigations and In
qurics have already been may hereafter be
directed by the Senate" Mr. Teller says in this letter
that the clause in question was reported by Mr..
Edmunds, from the Judiciary Committee. on the 9Th
of June, when no Investigations Of the description
mentioned by the first section Of the act namely the
House investigation of alleged frauds in the Presi-
dental election had been ordered by the Senate. and
that the word printed "sad' was, in Mr.. Elmund's
manuscript, "such." He therefore argues that the
printed word taken in connection with the word "as
"such." The two words. he says. frequently
taken to mean. substantially. the thing. and he
concludes his letter follows:--.'In view of these
circumstances and in order to give any effect to tho
section at ALL it appears to that there be little
dihcuty In holding to this construction, voted for
almost unanimously by both political parties in
the Senate and one of great interest to the
public. either as exposing wrongs committed against
the whole people or vindicating the people Of
several of the States from unjust suspicion" Mr..
Teller also laid before the committee the let
ter received by him from Senator Blaine
in response to this recent resolution, and
it was spread file without action for
the present. The chairman stated. in
ply to an inquiry of member of the committee,
that no reply has yet been received from Senator
Thurman, to whom a similar resolution referring to
his a,nendment) was communicated at the same time.
Comptroller Porters letter not being received up
three O'Clock the committee adjourned until eleven
A. NJ. next Monday.
SENATOR BLAINE INDICATES WHERE THE FRAUD
INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE MAY ACQUIRE
VALUABLE INFORMATION.
The following is tho text OF Mr.. Blaine's letter.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 1873.
Mr.. H. NJ. TELLER, United States Senata Chairman
Select Committee, &c -
DEAR SIR have this morning received your favor
enclosing the following resolution adopted by your
Resolved That this Hon James Blaine. the of
the "ss Re I" n Violence w9s s
the elections which the committees expected TO in
be his possession and tbs names OF witnesses he
may wish 10 be examined
1t cannot of course. be the purpose Of your honor
able committee to limit the investigation to
ticnlar class Of frauds outragcs and violence com
mited in the recent elections may be specified
by me. The resolution is the action of the Senate
speaking almost unanimously, and it liz not for me to
say what your committee is expected to investi-
rufa hAvn md w hat ia vnrp qp6
self in very explicit terms. 1t would be gross assnmp
ton in me to specify where the Senate itself has
directed.
But anxious to indicate any details that may expe-
dite the labors of the committee will call your at
tenton specially to the tissue ballot frauds in South
Carolina; the laws of that State. which made free
voting impossible in certain counties; to the prac
tice III that state OF breaking up all meetings he 70
oppose the democratic party unless democratic
speakers allowed to take part in the discussions
and to all the methods by which in Sumptcr and
other counties full and free election prevented
In Louisiana invite your attention to the murders
in Tensas parish election day. and to the frauds
committed in the same to the frauds and outragcs
upon the ballot in the city of New Orleans. and,
while write. to the alleged assassination Of two wit
nesses on their way 20 the United States Court to
testify against those who had robbed them of their
rights the day OF election. could make further
in these two states and in other south
States but have not time. am just leaving tor
New England and am compelled to postpone fuller
details until after my return.
Among the witnesses would name James b.
Campbell, f. w. NJ. Mackey and G. g. Mimminyer, of
South Carolina; Governor Nichols. his agent. Colonel
Hon. Reuben Davis, Mississippi; y. Cole Davis. Of
Helena, Ark, the editor of the Ardtdnce demo-
cratic paper published in Memphis. Tenn But beg
especially to refer youto a large mas, OF valuable
Information in the Office of the Attorney General of
the United states already called for by the Senate
and soon, presume to be laid before your commit
tee This is official in its character, and in many
has the weight and value Of legal evidence not
requiring further examination OF witnesses to au
thenticate and confirm II.
In offering the resolution in the Senate did not
assume the part of public prosecutor, but especially
honorable committee, however, is which cannot
disregard. and ON the reasscmbling of Congress
make such suggestions may seem to constitute
full and fair compliance with all the requirements Of
your resolution. With great respect your obcdicnt
servant, j. u. BLAINE.
FIRST COMPTROLLER PoRTERs LETTER TO sENA-
TOR TELLER REFERRING THE QUESTION OF
THE TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLAR APPRopRIA-
TON TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
The following is the letter of Comptroller Porter
TO Senator Teller, chairman of the Blaine Invcsti-
eating Committee, in regard to referring to the At
torney General the question of using the $4,000
heretofore appropriated
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
FIRST CoMrrRoLLEgs OFFICE
WAsHINGToS, Dec. D. 1873. J
Mr.. II. NJ. TELLER. United states Scnatc:-.
SIR have by your request RECONSTRUCTED the opinion
heretofore given by me respecting the applicability
toward the expenses the select committee OF tho
Senate, under the resolution introduced by Mr.. J. g.
Blaine Of the appropriation made by the second sec
ton of the passed a the last session OF Congress-
entitled can act to provide for tho expenses OF tho
select committee alleged frauds in the late Prcs-
dental election
Tho first section OF the act provides that the
OF $4,000, much thereof may be necessary,
be appropriated from any moneys in tho Treasury
not otherwise appropriated, to dcfray the actual
pcnscs necessarily incurred by the select committee
OF the House OF Representatives appointed under
tho resolution of May H. 1875 and directed to inves
tgatc alleged frauds Ill the late Presidential election
The second section enncts that like sum be appro
priatcd (Which shall be placed to the credit of
tho contingent fund Of tho Senate and DO applied
toward dctrayng the expenses OF said nvcstig
aud inquiries as have already been may hereafter
be directed by the Senate during the period of the
Torty.ffth Congress-.
The bill originated In the House of Representa-
tivrs and its object 10 provide moneys defray
the expenses VI investigation Of alleged frauds IN
sx.s y