Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-04-26
WASHINGTON NEWS.
SENATOR EDNUNDs, ON THE PRESIDENTIAL
QUESTION

SENATOR EDNUNDs, ON THE PRESIDENTIAL
QUESTION.
WASHINGTON, April Ex-senator Elmunds,
of Vermont, says the only legal way in which
the question of the title of President Hayes
could come before the United States SUI
preme court would be in a case where his
authority to make some appointment in a
state should be disputed by Mr.. Tilden or
his friends. and writ Of quo warranto
might then be sued out in the United States
circuit court. from which it could be carried
up to the Supreme Court otherwise the
electoral commission settled the matter,
except in so far as the clause applies, which
provides for q recourse of any person having
rights to be taken without regard to the
settlement temporarily made a. it were by
the general provisions of the bill. Many
Congressman say that 1t is utter nonsense
to talk about the bill that it is a baselsss
political topic and does not deserve serious
attention.
SECRETARY THOMPSON, ON SEVERAL MATTERS.
An Indianapolis despatch says: Sec
rotary of the Navy Thompson gives as his
Interpretation of the Presidents Office
holders order, that il an official chooses to
contribute money for political purposes he
can and if he chooses not to, the President
would sustain any man in such refusal.
The secretary said he knew nothing about
his own proposed resignation. lie had got
the navy department in shape to suit him
and proposed to keep 1t SO. As to the dem
ocrats raising the question of the Presi-
dent title. the secretary said there is no
question there to raise. The Democrats are
merely acting tor political effect. The
court could not go behind the electoral
commission. Unless the charge of fraud
could be brought against the electoral COM
mission itself there could be nothing in any
way touching the title
THOSE FLORIDA CONFESSIONS.
Much interest is excited in the statement
that McLin and Dennis have confessed to
frauds in the Florida electoral vote. The
original papers have not Yet been received,
although several democrats and republicans
say they are acquainted with the contents.
A prominent republican authorizes ths
statement. which he says will prove true,
that Alfred Morton, the postOthce agent
dismissed by President Hayes. was employ
ed by certain parties to 20 to Florida to
obtain information which cOuli be used In
aid of the proceedings Of the House judici-
airy committee on the Blair resolutions.
The statement of McLin IL, that if
certain facts, of which he is now in
formed by Dennis, had been known to the
canvassing board at the time of the count
the electoral vote of Florida wuuld have
been cast for Tilden instead of for Hayes I;
but they honestly made up the record ac-
cording to facts as they then appeared. Ii
is thought that Dennis has made no state
ment, but democratic member OF Congress
says he has. McLin and Donnis are said to
be actuated by political disappointment.
There il much speculation as to the parties |
who procured the admission of fraud, some |
positively asserting them to be friends of
Tilden while others name prominent repub- |
lcsns disaffected toward Hayes