The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-30

II BURNED AZ DOfGh, NEW xtAnf anhftE~-s
MORE SURVIVORS OF THE EMILY 3. soU-
DER HEARD FRoM-THE BLAINE NyEsTI-
I; GATOR coMMfTTEE-DREADFU NITRO
GLYCERTNE EXPLOSION AT PATTERSON,
N. J-REDUCING FORCE AND PAY OF EN-
PLoYEEs IN THE UNITED STATES MAIL
sERvICE-THE MEXICAN BORDER TRoU-
BLEs-A LETTER FROM SECRETARY
EvARTs TO MINISTER FosTER-sALUTARY
EFFECTS OF THE BANK FAILURES IN ENG
LAND, &C., &C.
From washfn9ton.
THE TELLER CoAMTTTEE--sEEAToR BLA1NE's
LETTER.
WASHINGTON, December 2S.-The Teller
committee met this afternoon, under a call
issued by the chairman, in :ex pectation OF q
communication to be received from Con-
troller Porter reviewing and reversing his
recent opinion as to the availability for the
purposes of the committee OF the twenty
thousand dollar Appropriation OF last ses-
sion. Mr.. Teller laid before the committee
q CODY OF letter addressed by him to the
Controller yesterday, OF the difficulty which
has arisen from the use OF the word g said"
In the section Of the act OF June 18, 1878,
which limits the use OF the appropriation to
|" deiraying expenses OF said investigations
and inquiries as have already been or
may hereafter be directed by the Senate"
Mr.. Teller says that the clause in question
was reported by BIZ. Edmunds, from the
judiciary Committee, on thes4th OF June,
when no investigation OF the description
mentioned by the first section OF the act
namely, House investigation OF alleged
frauds in the presidential election-had been
ordered by the Senate, and that the word
printed ssaid" was in Mr.. Edmunds's
manuscript "such." He therefore argues
that the printed word, taken In connection
with the word cas-" which follows it,
must be construed as II read "such."
The two words, he says, are fire.
ouently taken to mean substantially
the same thing, and concludes the
letter as follows: "In view OF these cir
cumstances, and in order to give any effect
TO the section at all, it appears to me there
can be little difficulty in holding to this
construction, especially so in aid OF the in
yestigation voted for almost unanimously
by both political parties in the Senate, and
one of great interest to the public, either as
expressing wrongs committed against the
whole people, or as yindcating the people
OF several Of the States from unjust sus-
picions."
The Chairman also laid before the COM
mittee letter received by him from Senator
Blaine in response to their recent resolu-
ton. and it was placed on file without ac-
ton for the present. The Chairman stated,
in reply to an inquiry, that no reply had
vet been received from Senator Thurman,
to whom q similar resolution referring to
his amendment was communicated at the
same time. .t+
The Controllers letter not being re-
ceiyed up to 5 O'Clock, the committee adj
iourned until Monday.
The following isMr. Blaine's letter, re-
ferred to above -
Wdshinqton,; D.. C.-Hon. FL. 81. Teller,
United States Senate, Chairman Select
Committee, ETC., etc.: Dear 5ir,-I have
this morning received your favor IN
closing the following resolution adopted
by your communicative. 9 HeSotUed,
That Hon. James G.. Blaine, mover OF the
resolution, be requested to specify IN writing
the particular class OF frauds, outrages. ana
violence, committed in the recent eiectlons,
which the committee is expected to inyes-
tigate, and furnish such Information
and evidence. as may be In his pos
session. and the names Of witnesses he
may wish to be examined" It cannot, Of
course, be the purpose Of your honorable
committee to limit the investigation to any
particular class of " frauds, outrages, and
violence committed in the recent elections"
chat may be specified by me. The resolu-
ton is the action OF the Senate, speaking
almost unanimously, and it is not for me to
say what your committee is respected ~ TO
investigate beyond what is expressed in the
resolution itself in very explicit terms. 1t
would be gross assumption in me to "spe-
cify'' where the Senate itself has directed !;
but, anxious to indicate any details that
NAV expedite the labors OF the committee,
wilt call your attention specially to the
|tissue-ballot frauds in South Carolina; to
the laws OF that State which made free
voting impossible, in certain counties; to
the practice in that State OF breaking up
all meetings held to oppose the Demo
cratic party, unless, Democratic speakers
were allowed to take part in the discus
sions; and to all the methods by which, in
Sumter and other counties. a full and free
election was prevented. In Louisiana, l
invite your attention to the murders in
Tenshas parish on election-day, and to the
frauds committed in same; to the frauds
and outrages upon the ballot in the city Of
New Orleans, and even while write to the
alleged assassination Of two witnesses on
their way to the United States Court to tes-
tiiy against those who had robbed them Of
their rights on the day Of election. / could
make further specifications IN these two
States, and in the southern States, but I
have not time. I am just leaving for New
England, and am compelled to postpone
further details until after my return.
Among tLe witnesses would name are
James B. Campbell. E. W. M. Mackey, and
c. G.. Memminger, Of South Carolina !;
Governor Nichols, his-agent Colonel Zach
airy, ex-Chief-Jus.ice Sudeling, OF Louisi-
ana; Hon. Reuben Davis, OF Mississippi;
j. Cole Davis, OF Helena, Ark; and the
editor OF the AvQlanohe, Democratic pa
per published in Memphis, Tenn; but I
beg especially to refer you to the large mass
of valuable information in the Office OF the
Acknowledgement Of the United States, a.
ready called for by tbS Senate, and soon, ]
Epresume, to be laid before your commit
tee. This is official in its character,
and in many cases has the weight and
value OF legal evidence, not requiring
further examination of witnesses to
authenticate and confirm it. In offering
the resolution to the Senate, did not rs.
sumo the part OF public prosecution, but
especially declined any such service. The
Invitation of your honorable committee,
however, is one which cannot disregard
and on the reassemblng OF Congress
shall from time to time lay such facts before
YOU, and make such suggestions, as may
seem to constitute full apd Ia ir compliance
with all requirements Of your resolution.
With great respect, your obedient ser
| 800 r G. RJAJNE