The daily gazette., 1878-04-26
THE FLORIDA FRAUD 5.
Local Republicans AnliCip lting Fur
lh9r Disclosures.
Terrible Stain on the Party
Dennis on the Way to the
National Capital.
nLIN's DETAILED STATEMENT.
Denial of all Completely by
Vance and Major BELL.
JACKSONVILLE, April 25, 1873.

JACKSONVILLE, April %, 1873.
Continued Investigation develops more
and more testimony ON the republican
election frauds and new and unexpected
afiidavits are coming to light. l have
just read an affidavit from an ex-Sherif fl
in regard to frauds in Levy county. 1T is
filled with the most infamous statements
The writer testities to fraud after fraud
and finally says that proposition was
made to burn the state House at Talla-
hasse, and that after n consultation, in
which Governor Stearns was present, it
was decided not to do so, the reason
being that the democrats probably had
certified copies of all the returns. He
says that he was paid SO to assault and
whip Babcock, democratic editor in
jacksonville, and that he did knock
Babcock down. He was put before the
Congressional committee and made to
tell "a lively story of having been NAL
treated by Kuklux, which he now saws
was wllfully false. His affidavit discloses
the method in which the republicans
handled their roughs. bummers and
strikers in the election and count, he
being one of the most conspicuous of
that class and having been sent out on
various errands. He confesses what the
democrats then charged-that he in
was ordered to seize and destroy the
ballot boxes at Cedar Keys, and that they
We're prevented only by armed resistance
of Sebring and other democratic GUS
todians.
EFFECT OF THE CONFESSIONS.
1t Is certain from the location Of this
affidavit that the anti-IIayes republicans
are at work collecting testimony. The
democrats of New York certainly, and
probably Washington, have been at
work through agents. Dennis and two
Others who have been at work collecting
proofs left at seven this morning for the
North Dennis stops in Washington :;
Others 60 direct to New York. There is
uneasiness here to-day among some of
the prominent republicans in conse-
quence of Dennis confession. They are
afraid that he may make further disclos-
ureS that may come near home. The
federal otiice-holders have little to say,
and treat the confession lightly, but they
are still very anxious to know what the
result will be and who is back of il all.
Higgins, the former County Clerk, who
refused to canvas the votes with a lib
eral republican County Judge, and who
is now Deputy Collector of customs, said
that this disclosure was terrible stain
on the party, "but," said he, "what Dem
mis- says falls of course, heavier on him
for all of u.s." Many democrats think
that the first practical use the confessions
will be put to will be in the approaching
Congressional campaign. MIR. Avery, a
prominent democrat, said to-day that he
hoped there would be no attempt to oust
Hayes. "The country is at peace, and
i don't believe the majority of the peo-
pie OF the South want any reOpemng of
the case, although they know that Til
den was elected President" He con-
demned the course of the State authori-
ty in treating with Dennis. All the doc
uments have gone on to Washington.
THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO WASHINGTON
1t is believed that the case is virtually
transferred to that place. Dennis will
be there probably tomorrow night, his
summons to go having come from Bis
bee. There is but one agent at work in
this State now, and, when he heard that
the matter had been published, said,
"well, the GENE is up, but they can't hurt
our case; ii is fully made up" 1t is
claimed by local republicans that Dennis
says the Democrats committed frauds as
well as the republicans. This amounts
TO literally nothing. If Dennis takes
that way he does it simply to soften
things down. There is no doubt that he
has full case, showing that the State
went for Tilden and that he will not be
diverted from this end when he gets to
business He says he is ready to prove
IL by proofs outside of his own confess
sions or the confession of others. He is
too shrewd to take the risk he has taken
ON slouchy showing. He says "Hayes
lis the damnedest traitor that has lived
since the days of Judas lscariot," and
while Dennis may coquette with his old
party associates, he Will be found full of
business when told to make his case out.
| M'LIN's sTATEMENTs
McLin has made two statements in
writing. The first was obtained by the
special agent who was working the mat
ter up. He showed it to Gtate Senator
Henderson and asked what he thought
OF 1t. Henderson replied it was to vague
and timd, and that McLin could do
much better if he wanted to. He showed
several points on which more definite as
sertions might DE made. The special
agent then gave Henderson this paper
TO keep, and said he would get a better
one, as Nj clIin was in earnest about CIV
ing the truth, and the vagueness was
simply unintentlonal. He went to sea
McL'n at once, and in few days re-
/ turned with an amended and fuller
statement The first statement has been
, read generally, once or twice copied, and
offered for publication. 1t contained
) nothing more than what MCLin has sald
time and again IN conversation. Che
last statement Is kept very secret, and
the custodian of it remarked that SlO,0 900
could not purchase copy of it. McLin
positively refused to give your corres-
/ pondent an order for q copy of it, al
though he stated in very general way
what it contained.
The agent who has been probing the
matter spent yesterday in Tallahassee,
where he went to see Bloxham. A very
general rumor prevails that Congress
. man Springer, of Illinois, was in Gaines
/ vile with Dennis a short time ago. Den
= mis- denies this, and l cannot confirm it.
! HAYES AND THE SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS.
Wilkinson Call, a democratic elector,
thinks that champion, Lamar ami other