The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-04
Mr.. TILDEN'S IDEA.
Meeting Of Democratic and Repub-
lican Caucuses.
NEW YORK COLLECTORSHlP.
Views or the Executive on the
Civil Service Order.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON, May 8, 1878.
A NEW YORK DEMocRArIc coUoRkssNAN TO
DEMAND AN INVESTIGATION or TIE FLORIDA
AND LOUISIANA FRAUDS.
The democratic organ here (he POST states, appar-
emily on authority, this morning that Mr.. Clarkson
Potter OF New York has been selectcd and has con-
sculcd 10 offer in the House on Mondy resolution
orisring an investigation The irsuds charged in
Florida and Louisiana and with the resolution no
~iil bring IN tho afidaviz confessing and other
documents averring fraud ia Florida Mr. Potter has
zone TO New York, and this report In democratic
circles tonight Is that he has gone thsro 10 consult
with Mr. Tden as the shape to DO gwen 70 the IN
yestgation resolution.
Tho afadavits in hand here number moro than
dozen aud cover In detail every poist whore fraud 70
charged They are al, or nearly alL by republicans,
and by The very persons who, - escsioa officers.
committed the frauds. aud they rotate tho
manner in which the work was done. But
the few who have read them carefully
through ADMIT that noAhing is shown which was
not known IN February, 1877, and that to one VINO
studied the Florida thoroughly then tho rsvca-
tions now offered arc only reminders. Aside IRON
the purpose OF spreading the facts before the people
In an asthentc shape, those who havc tho documents
in hand appear 70 have another object In view
70 ascertain who OF the visiting statesmea and
what members ana adhcrents OF shs administrator
had knowledge At tho time or before tho Attn Of March,
1877 OF frauds and how far this knowledge ex-
tended Indeed, this may DO said to DO now
tho principal object Of tho investigation which
is proposed and urged. 1t must DO con-
fcssed that the adm inlsiration has itself 70
blame that the inquiry takes ,hs personal turn IL
is q fact that everybody who appears 10 hare been
concerned In manipulating the Florida elections in
favor Of the republicans has since become federal
o0cs-holder Of some kind or degree, and ths sams
thing 10 true Of Louisiana Tho arrest OF Wells and
Ander on was resented here by Secretary Shermau.
Senator Matthews ana others with ncrcsosss which
excited sstonishmen rs we'll ~ disgust, aud the
nomination OF smith 20 b Collector Of New Orleans
generally understood 20 have been General
Gcssxe sheridan's device for pastfying Ander-
son aud Wells. An this has been q public
scandal hero during the greater part OF
the session OF Congress and has led TO
vory widespread belief thai the sdminissyanon had
such knowiedgs Of Its obilgatlous to shoss
Of them persons little or no character-as induced
IL 70 give them onices rewards for what they had
DONE II, under these circumstances the iuvsrtiRa-
tion shalt nave Tor It's main object TO inquire
wbslhsr prominent members ana adhsrents OF tho
admin,straton had ksow ledge OF the frauds, these
will themselves 10 blame that their conduci hos
gwen cause for al least reasonable susptcion.
evt0CuC0
obtained 10 ASCERTAIN. II Is not impossible
that mssy parts even OF the Florida fraud
case may break down, for several or tho
persons whose confessions Of fraad are actually N
Democratic hands, have within ten days publicly
denied all knowledge Of wropgdoipg, aud II Is posi-
bic that most OF those who have confessed" may
hereafter choose, has already happened In several
cases 10 deny tho truth OF shcir confessions
The belief which has gained curreocy here 10 demo-
cratic circles that Mr. riidcn has himself managed
this business Of discovering election frauds, and that
he Is directing The details Of the Investigation 10 DO
made in Congress-, produces almost everybody
a disagresabe impression. Even those who are
mos, determined 10 investigate would have preferred
that he should not take active part IN tho matter
but should stand carefully aside and maiatain
a dgniAsd reserve. at looks TOO much AS though
toe old vas playing Tor hrs own hand" was shs
remark Of one OF his adhorents ana frienda