The daily gazette., 1878-05-04
THIRD Ed EDITION. !, / /
FROM WASHINGTON.
Ispecial to the baltimore Sun ]


THE PRESIDENTIAL QUESTION AN IN
vEsTIGATloN TO BE oRDERED-THa
PLAN DETERMINED oN-THB FLORIDA
FRAUDS AS THE BASIS, sc.
WASHINGTON, May st Is more Ger.
tain tonight than it ever has been that
there VIII be an investig alton of the
presidential question. A plan has been
definitely determined upon by the demo-
Gratis aud IL does not seem TO be opposed
by the republicans. The only question
not settled is as to details. The basis OF
the Investigation In to be- the confession ms
of McLIn and Dennis.-These are To be
csrro borated, as the democrats call it, by
-affidavis which have recently been
brought here from Florida by Morton,
the agent OF Tilden, who has been work.
ing up the case. These affIdavits are
now in possession Of Proctor Knott,
chairman of the judiciary committee,
who will probably move the invesuga-
ton. Efforts have been made to induce
Clarkson Potter TO move it. but he has
declined.
Those who have seen these affidavits
say that they contain details as to dates,
places, persons aud circumstances as TO
the alleg of fraud made III the Nc.
Lin anu Dsnnis confessions. IL is assert
ed that these affidavits are made by LEGAL
supervisors aud inspectors Of elections
in several FLORIDA counties; that they re-
cite minutely specific eases Of fIaud;
that moreover, it will appear from them
that Noyes, minister to France, was rec
ognized and represented himself as the
immediate agent of the President; that
he had guilty knowledge of fraud, that
he SAID he had authority to speak tor
the President, and that he promised
places which have since been given. The
persons who claim to have seen these
papers say that they are convinced that
the case 10 be made is 80 strong that no
one will be able 10 vote against the prop
osition.
1t has not been settled in what way the
subject will be brought before the House
for action. There are two practi icable
ways. 1t can be done. first upon a mo-
ton to suspend the rules, which can be
made Monday after the morning hour by
any body whom the speaker will recog-
mze. his motion cannot prevail except
by two-thirds vote. Second, az a privi-
legged question, which requires only a
majority vote. The question Of privi-
lege could be allegations looking to the
Impeachment Of the President, and ask
ing for an inquiry into the truth of such
allegations. Upon no other ground can
the question of privilege be raised. The
democratic managers do not seem to be
certain that they have tfe necessary
two-thirds. They are less certain that it
would be polite to present the question
in its possible Impeachment aspect. But
that II will be presented in some fotm
there can be no doubt.
If an investigation is ordered it will bs
because the republicans encourage and
permit II. They have strength enough
undoubtedly to prevent 1t by tillibuster.
ing, If not by main force. 1t is note.
worthy that some of the Presidents
friends themselves advise an invssiiga
ton, claiming it can bring no harm oi
any guilty knowledge OF fraud to the
President, and that 1t will be better tC
have the question settled. So long a,
some OF the Presidents republican
friends take this view it is not TO be OK.
pected that the republican opponent,
will interfere to prevent an investiga
ton. A significant feature of the sitsa
tion is the fact that the democrats wht
assisted in defeating the fillibusterin nj
movement seem to feel least dispose
towards the Investigation.