The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-05-29
THE GREAT FRAUDS.
The Case of Which the Democrats Have
Voted and the Republicans Have OPP
posed Investigation.

posed Investigation.
brooklyn Eaglel
The house of representatives, on Friday,
passed under the control of democratic
quorum attained by the return of several
absentees and the expiration OF pairs. which
twenty conservatives had formed with as
many republicans. That quorum passed the
resolution of Mr.. Potter for committee OF
inquiry into the Florida and Louisiana frauds,
only two democrats Morse, of Massachusetts,
and Mills, of Texas, dissenting. The repub-
licans present did not vote, but their recalci-
tTancy did not affect the result, quorum
was pre- sent without them. The resolutions
first recite the fact that memorial of the
state CT Maryland, by her governor and leg
isature, complaining that due effect was
not given TO her vote for president and
vice president, owing to frauds i'm Florida
and Louisiana, has been received; that
since then evidence inculpating Edward
+. Moves, now minister to France, and John
Sherman. secretary of the treasury, in the
conspiracy, has been presented, and that it is
essential to indicate the honor of the nation
and the truth OF the election wherefore 1t is
Resolved, That a select committee, consist
ing of eleven members OF this house, be APP
pointed to inquire into the aforesaid allegation
as to the conduct OF the persons in Office afore-
said, in respect OF the said election, and into
the alleged false and fraudulent canvass and
return OF votes by state, county, parish, and
precinct officers in the said states of Louisiana
and Florida, and into all the facts which, in
the Judgment OF said committee, are connect
ed with or pertinent thereto, and that said
committee, for the purpose of executing this
resolution, shall have power to send for per-
sons aud papers, to administer oaths and to
take testimony, and, In their discretion, TO de-
tail subcommittee, with like full authority
with power to sit in Florida and Louisiana,
which sub -committeeS shall he committees of
this house, and the chairman thereof shall be
authorized To administer oaths, that the said
committee and subcommittee NAV pmnlOX
stenOgraphers, and be attended each by q
deputy sergeant alarms, and may sit during
the sessions OF this house and during the Vaca.
ton, and THAI said committee proceed in this
inquiry and have leave to report at any time.
This is The charter aud extent of power
delegated TO the committee to be appointed,
and the power will be conceded TO be full
and adequate to all contingencies. The
committe propose ID investigate facts which
thrown into the form of a statement are as
follows Edward j. Moves, of Ohio, was
Hayes personal Representative at the count
ing of the vote OF Florida. 1t was found
that the state canVassing board would not
throw out the clear democratic majority,
unless the members were guaranteed pro-
lection and office. NOyes expressly for
Hayes gave that guarantee. The canvassers
first permitted and then committed forgery
and purgery enough to defraud the stae of
its democratic majority. Hayes, in pursu-
ance of Moves guarantee, and fully told
OF the crime by the criminals, fulfilled
the part assigned him by making governor
Stesrns federal commissioner of government
property at Hot Springs, Secretary of State
McLin justice of the supreme court of New
Mexico and DIR. Cowgil United States mar.
shal. The Louisiana case is this: 1t charges
that the returning board there, after they
had done their worst under the law, still
found the state was for Tllden by consider
able vote, and could not be taken from him,
except the parishes of East Feliciana and
West Feliciana were rejected and that no
grounds existed for rejecting them. This
situation being disclosed to John Sherman
he directed that the republican inspector of
those parishes insert in the declaration of
the returns OF the vO'e affidavits that there
had been intimidation Even the law
of Louisiana required that such atfidavits
must be made when the returns were sent
on. and must come in the same package
with and as part of them; otherwise, they
were valueless, as the presumption would
he, if they we're not made up ut once. they
were untrue. The inspectors, however,
came to New Orleans, broke tle seal of the
envelopes holding the returns aud thrust
in affidavits of violence. cooked up twenty
days after the election, but dated back to the
day OF It, This crime was committed only
on the written demand of John Sherman,
Hayes personal representative in Louisiana,
aud only on his written promise that If the
inspectors did so, Hayes would take care OF
them. Hayes did take care OF them," by
giving them offices. and Photographic copy
of this letter of Sherman's, with full confess
sions of the parties. is in GARRISON \. POtter's
possession. This is the case of which the
democrats have voted and the republicans
have opposed investigation.
There is no doubt that case of this seri-
business particularly, and one involving the
honor of the nation and the conduct of high
officials, calls for investigation. In present
ing the case on their responsibility the dem
ocrats performed solemn public duty, and
they have accepted the action and the conse-
quences such duty imposed with virtual
unanimity. In opposing inquiry into a case
of this kind the republican minority have
done all they could to present that organiza-
ton as a solid bulwark against the examina-
ton of frauds which are charged with
complete detail against the highest officials,
and which involve a state prison Ofense,
whereby the presidency and vice presidency
of the United States were stolen. We
do not believe republicans in congress truly
represent republicans out of congress in
taking this course. But If they do, the fact
is more Notifying than momentOus. Tor the
democrats number a vast majority OF the
American people, the honor of the nation is
saved from Iepr0ach by the unity OF that
majority against fraud. and thar majority
unitedly propose to discharge all the duties
devolved on them, in purging the govern
ment OF fraud and in furnishing those who
committed il. Whether republican poll
ticians join In this work or not, republican
citizens are likely to do so. Whether they
do so or not, the work will be done. Having
begun, il will go on to completion.
IL Mussed Up the Roof