New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-09
THE FRAUD CAMPAIGN.
LATEST RUNORs AND INCIDENTS IN WASHINGTON
epp.s.R RANDALL LOOKING UP PEECEDENl

, .Trsr DI,NORS AND INCIDENTS IN NASiiN"'O-'
sPFAKnR RANDALL LOOKING UP PRECEptNle
-fIARXsoS y. POTTER's INTENTIONS.
lBy TELEGRAPH TO THE TIBUNEl
w,eut~GToN Nav S.-The Democrats. IN their
,0;,t caucus held three or four weeks ago agreed
.ht M nolititl measures should be moved III either
Honse by members Of their party without the ap-
,woyal of a joint committee that was theh APP
,o;rted Mr.. Springer and the TevOlutonists, VINO
With him have been preparing for an lnNesu-
-; Of the Presidential election III Florida,
rrosanted their resolution TO that committee
This afternoon and asked permission to introduce u
IN the House of Representatives. The resolution
directs the Committee the Judiciary to inquire II
tbe facts disclosed by the so-caed confessions OF
MeIin and Dennis, and in the athdavlts OF other
nersous affect the right of Mr. Bisbee, OF the ia
I1orida district 20 retain his seat in the House.
The deliberations of the caucus committee on this
resolution have been placed under the strictest in
sanctions of secrecy but it has leaked out that the
resolutionists were given permission to pro-
coed By some il is reported that nearly
oil of the committee were in favor OF tie
proposed investigation; by others that the majority
was barely one. The resolution is to be presented
probably Tomorrow ceStainly within afew days, Dv
Mr. Williams of Michigan, who has been selected
because he is not connected with any of the ciques
in the party, and is man of such high character
and clear record as to be able to give the movement
ii is hoped, an air of responsibility.
The promoters Of this scheme will insist that their
resolution is a question Of privilege because 1t re-
lates to the right of member TO his seat There's
nospecifc rule on this subject, but Barclay in his
digest says All questions relating 10 the night oil
member to his seat held to be questions OF priv
ilege and hence take precedence Of other business
II has been supposed that Speaker Randall would
sustain the claim of the movers, and allow the Flor
ida resolution to take precedence of all other BUSH
ness 1t is reported tonight that there is some doubt
about this Mr. Randall has been looking up the pre-
eedents and it is Tumored that he has reached
the conclusion that whatever privilege there is IN
connection with the Florida election case runs with
its consideration by the Committee on Elections
The whole subject referred TO the committee at
the beginning of the present Congress, and an inves-
tigation has been in progress. That commit
tee has a right to report at any time
and its reports are privileged over other business
1t is not necessary, therefore, for the rules to be
strained in order to secure this inquiry, and
it would not be strange if the Speaker
should rule that the question as presented
in the proposed resolution Is not one
Of privilege at all If he does so the revOutiOnists
will be checkmated and will be obliged to abandon
their movement OF appeal from the decision Of the
Chair If they do the latter they will be in great
danger of being defeated. All the Republicans will
vote TO sustain such a decision by the Chair, and
there are not few Democrats who will vote with
them
The fact is there are serious differences Of opinion
in the Democratic party in Congress in regard to
beginning an investigation Of this kind at all Some
of the party say that there is no excuse for reopen
ing the Presidential question unless there is some
thing to be accomplished by it and the President
no dict, nod Inv iu,np chrppu
investigation now made will be practically
fruitless. Moreover, they say the Demo
Gratis offered to produce convincing evil
dense Of fraud in the Florida election when
they presented their case to the Electoral Commits
sion last Winter and it was ruled out. That Com
mission was the Court of last resort for this ques
ton. Either House of Congress is an inferior trbu-
nal to it. To proceed to prove fraud now through
committee of Congress would be like Offering to an
inferior Court evidence which had been passed upon
aud reject ed by the Supreme Court.
Nor is this all. Many of the Democrats are by no
means convinced that there is any political capital
10 be gained by an investigation. They have a sort
OF lurking suspicion that the business men and the
voters OF the country are tired of the
everlasting turmoil caused by the unnecessary
sqna9bles of political parties, and will not
look kindly on any party that revyos the old Pres
Denial election ISSUES. The smaller Democratic
politicians everywhere desire TO have the inquiry 20
on, but the people have had enough Of this cOntrO
veIsy. Besides If the investigation once begins the
movers OF il cannot limit AS as they may desire. 1t
Is likely To take awide range, and, a Democratic
Representative said to-day, " there Will be plenty
OF mud-tmO owing on both sides and that il all il
will amount TO-" Speaker Randall is credited with
the remark that an investigation such as Mr..
Springer and his associates propose would unite
the republicans and divide the Democrats
Ii is learned that Mr. Potter really contemplated
the introduction Of the Florida investigation
luton, bat it Is believed that he has been dis
shaded from dong so by some of his New-York
friends. lie was reminded that he had nothing to
expect from Mr.. Tlldcn. ! lie latter would use him
III tins matter If be could and then do all in his
power TO DESTROY him politically, while his reputa-
ton with the respectable people OF New-iOrk OF
ho'h parties Is matter Of grave consequence.
NJ. Potter told that the people almost unan-
lm0usly opposed 10 any Tcopening Of the Presldcn-
ial controversy, and that they will hardly forgive
him il he Identities himself with the movement.
Mr.. Potter detained in NewYOrk by law business,
but the opinion expressed at the Capitol to-day
that he will not find II convenient 10 return until
the florida resolution has been presented.
II the House Is brought TO direct vote on the
resolution which Mr.. Williams is TO offer, there rs
no doubt that the Democrats will sustain IT almost
10 man. in spite Of the belief of many of them that
the movement is a foolish Their policy, as an
Houneed. has been that there should be the fullest
and frecst investigation of all matters. Very few,
Il any of them, viii have the courage TO risk offend
inc the small politicians in their districts by voting
against "A measure OF tins KIND
general press dispatch states that Democratic
member of the House, who has been prominent in
the movement for an investigation of the alleged
Florida and Louisiana Presidential frauds says that
those who have the subject in hand can
not yet report resolution with that
view, for the reason that they have not yet agreed
upon It's form and details. but such resolution viii
be introduced some day this week. The Committee
Oh the Judiciary Will be intrusted with the nvesti-
cation. The member referred TO expresses con-
ndenee that the resolution will pass, and saws
mat every Democrat and number -of Re
publicans win vote for it, in order that
The country shall be satisfied of the
character of the votes awarded TO HAYES and
Wheeler in Florida and Louisiana. The committee
VIII not Inquire into the question of ths eligibility