Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-05-29
First, II there was any gross mistake f.

s~SS
by me. So far as bis statement Is calculat-
ed TO convey the idea or impression that I
had given the republicans list Of any
names who would follow me IN any motion
to prevent the investigation, it is entirely
without foundation. As matter of truth,
1t has not shade Of the shadow Of fact 10
rest upon. had not conferred directly OF
indirectly with Mr.. Hale, Mr.. Garfield, or
any other republican upon the subject; l
had not spoken directly or indirectly with
Mr. Hale within the last two weeks, upon
any subject. nor had any words with
Mr.. Garfield on this matter ex-
cept what were made some weeks before
when he objected to the reception Of the
Maryland memorial, at which time urged
him in the house 10 withdraw his objection,
and let this memorial of the rtate go to the
committee on judiciary, and be reported up
on, with the view Of quitting all questions
attaching to the presidential title. Ny
speech upon that occasion, and my appeal
to him, was duly reported in the Record.
nor had ! at any time any conference with
the president, as l have seen it alleged in
some papers on this subject. On the Mon
day that the Potter resolutions were Of
cred, had appeared in the house solely
with the view Of getting a suspension Of the
rules for the purpose of having passed the
bill of the committee on coinage,
providing for the retirement of the
three and five c. NJ. silver pieces, and having
them recoised in other denominations, as
also for mixing the debased or subsidiary
coins legal tender, where they are presented
in amounts Of twenty dollars and upwards
and have them redeemed when presented in
the treasury, in like amounts. This bill up.
on hcing read, was almost unanimously
passed. then got leave of absence for one
week, on account Of my health, with pair
with Mr.. Harris, of Massachusetts,. l was
told that had barely got out of the capitol
when this cyclone burst on the house.
had no intinlation- of it before. On reach
ing my room, was confined to my bed, and
it was not until the next day tina, knew o.
what had occurred in the house. After
left Mr.. Potter himself was one of the first
whom i conferred with on the subject.
Wednesday the 18th, after the house had
come to a dead lock, from sick room
addressed to Mr.. Potter the following note
OF which Gen. Knott furnished me copy,
to-day. 1t is in these words:
NATIONAL HOTEL, Washington, D. C.
May 18th, 1878. !
To the Hon Clarkson N. Potter, House o,
Representatives.:
MY DEAR S1R-I am still confined to my
room IN this city. l greatly regret that l
cannot go and see you in person. Let me
then say to you, in this way, that think it
WILL be a great mistake if our friends in the
house shall pass your resolution under the
previous question, this cutting OF Mr.. Hal.'s
or other amendments looking to the en-
larged investigation. Do not insist on the
previous question; could not vote for it if
I were present, and were not l paired as
am, nor could vote for@t the resolution un-
der the previous question, without allowing
the amendments. It would only divide the
democracy, and unite the republicans. My
opinion is that mischief instead Of good will
come out Of the investigation by the passage
of your resolution. a. it is under the pre-
vious question. Please excuse this note.
feel it my duty, feeble ~ am, to send ii to
you.
Very respectfully,
ALEX. Fl. STEPHENS.
Mr. Stephens wrote similar notes te
Milton A. Gambler and Mr.. Harris,
From these notes it will be clearly appear
with whom ! had conferred with, aud til.
opinion entertained of the effect Of thu
proceedings then going on in the house OF
the democratic party as we'll as on the coun
try. l looked on them as unwise and untim
ly and fraught with mischief. 1t clearly ap
pesrs from there notes that I was not in
favor Of the motion to defeat the in
vestigation Of frauds of any kind
was only against one sided investigation
also, az have baen since the presidentia
contest, constitutionally decided agains
any Investigation with view to impeach o
assail the title of the present incumbent o
the executive chair. The democracy Of th
school in which l served 10, was plan,
ed upon the principle of lav
and order, upon abiding b
the law as constitutionally expounded
This was the state Of things when mad
my appearance in the house on Thursday
the 10th inst. I had not heard from Nj
Potter; had not consulted directly or ir
directly with any republican in the house q
out Of the house. made an appeal to NJ
Potter to withdraw his call for the previou
question, to allow me three minutes onl,
My object was to get him to withdraw th
call for the previous question, or if he woul
not, to appeal to the house-to III
patriots on both sides, to vote dow
the previous question, and allo
Mr.. Hale or any republica
to offer just such amendments for Ii
enlargement Of the investigation, as the
might see fit. 1t was then that Mr.. Pott,
decliredto withdraw the call or to allew n
TIE three minutes. He said that it was frol
no disrespect 10 me, but that he could a,
i -