Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-05-18
The Potter Resolution.

The f0ll0RlDg Is the teAC vi tHo ollet ieeo
luton, as it passed theHouse of Representatives,
yesterday evening, by vote of l45 ayes to 2
nays-Messrs. Mills, cf Texas, and Morse, OF
Massachusetts, the radicals not voting:
"Whereas the State of Maryla and has, by ito
Legislature, formally declared that due effect
was not given to the electoral vote cast by that
State on the 9Th day of Decem Der, 1876, by rea'
son of fraudulent returns in the electoral votes
from the states of Florida and Louisiana; and
"Whereas the 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 electors of Presi-
dent and Vice. President has been made public,
alleging false and fraudulent returns for votes
for such electors in that State, whereby the choice
Of the people of that State was annulled and re-
versed, aud that the action OF the board OF state
conyassers in making sucn returns Was lnhu-
onced by the conduct and promises of Hon. Ed
ward f. Noyes, now Minister 10 the govern
ment of France; and
"Whereas it is alleged that conspiracy existed
in the State of Louisiana whereby the Republl-
can vote in all the precincts Of tho parish OF
East Feicians, and in some Of the precincts OF
West Felicisna, at the general election in No
vember, 1876, was purposely withheld IRON me
returning board Of that State of the vote cast in
those precincts for electors Of President and
Vice. President, and that James Il. Anderson,
the supervisor Of registration in the parish OF
East Felcians, and d. A. Weber, supervisor
of registration in tia parish Of West Fellclans,
in that State, in furthersnce OF that conspiracy
falsely protested that the election in such pre-.
cincts had not been fair and free, and that the
State returning board theroupon falsely and
frsuduently excluded the votes Of the said pro-
cincts, and by means thereof, and Of other false
and fraudulent action by the said returning board
the choice of the people of that State was annul,
led and reversed; and that such action OF the said
Webbor and Anderson was induced and en-
coursged by the assurances OF the Hon. John
Sherman, Secretary of the Treasury of tho Uni
led States and
"Whereas, the gravity Of those charges, the
nature Of the evidence upon which they arc re;
ported to be based and the Official dignity and
position Of the persons named in connection
with the said frauds make it proper that the
same should be inquired into. to the end that
tho honor Of the nation may BIO Vindlcsted and
the truth as to such elections made known {:
Therefore,
"Be it resolved, That select committee, con-
sisting of eleven members ofthis House, be sp-
pointed to inquire into the aforesaid allegation
SIS to the conduct of the persons in office aforesaid
in respect of said elections and into the slleged
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 the
said committee, are connected with or pertinent
thereto and that the said committee, for tho
purpose of executing this resolution shall have
The power to send for persons and papers, to ad-
minister oaths and take testimony, and in their
discretion to detail subcommittee with like
full authority of said committee in every par
ticulsr, and with the power to sit in Florida and
Louisiana; which sub committees shall be com.
mittees of this House, and the chairman thereof
shall be authorized 10 administer oathsi the said
committee and subcommittee may employ
stenographers and be attended each by q deputy
sergeant. alarms and may sit during the session
of this House and during the vacation and that
said committee proceed in this inquiry.and have
leave to report at any time"