New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-06-17
THE EXPEDITION TO FLORIDA.

THE SUBCOMMITTEE RETURNS WITH SCARCE A
SCRAP OF NEW TESTIMONIALS DISCOVERIES
RATHER FAVORABLE TO THE REPUBLICANS.
IFRoN THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
WASHINGTON, June 16.-The Florida Sub-Com-
mittee has returned to Washingto Mr.. Hiscock.
the Republican member of this subcommittee, says
that the testimony taken in Florida disclOses moth
ing or almost nothing that was not known before,
and which has not already appeared in the evidence
taken by two investigating committees.
The only testimony that hiss any elements Of
freshness about it s that relating to the two pre-
cncts of Baker County, Jacksonville and Darbys-
vile, which were thrown out by Driggers, the
County Judge. The testimony in regard to this pro-
ceedng was very voluminous and has been reported
at length by the Associated Press. 1t is probably
true that the action of Driggers in throwing out
these two precincts is indefensible; but fact
which seems to have been overlooked by
the reporter for the Associated Press in
sending his summary of the testimony
taken IN Florida and one the omission of which
leaves entirely erroneous impression upon the pub
lie mnd was brought out in the testimony Of Judge
McLin, and shown by the official returns of the
State. This is that the MeLn Returning Board in
making up the State canvass did not file the report
made by Drggers Having examined the evidence
on which he rejected the two precincts in
question: JOhnsOnville and Darbysyille, the
Board concluded that the precincts had been
wrongfuly thrown out. and it counted them
as returned by the precinct officers. If, there
fore, there was fraud the canvass of Baker
County, that fraud, TO appropriate the expression
used by Mr.. Chairman Potter, "was not an opera
tive One.D If the McLin Returning Board had al
lowed the canvass fthe Baker County Board, there
might possibly have been some ground for accusing
IL. ,fvlu ID
vantage, and Of having failed TO count certain pre-
cincts that ought to have been counted. But when
the whole history Of the Baker county canvass is
known. and the refusal of the McLin Board to throw
out precincts already rejected by the county can
vassers Is disclosed it throws credit upon the con-
duct of the McLn board, and shows a disposition
on the part Of its members to make an honest count
The only other precincts in regard to which i'm
portant testimony was taken were Archer No. 2, of
Alachua County, and certain ones in Leon County
Tho evidence IN both these cases was entirely
worthless as SUCH and consisted simply in repeh-
ton by Judge McIin Of statements that had been
made to him by Others since the canvass was
completed He knew nothing whatever of his own
knowledge about the alleged frauds in either OF
these counties and his testimony therefore was of
no value. Indeed in closing bis evidence, Judge
McLin said that il he now had the
canvass OF the State to make oyer again he should
do exactly he did in the Fall of 1876, unless the
reports he has heard were presented to him III
the form OF afhdavits properly attested.
The little jokersp used in Leon County, about
which so much has been said In the Democratic tes-
timony by the committee, were tickets similar in
size 10 those used in most OF the Northern States at
elections the ordinary tickets used in Florida be-
ing very much larger. The Democrats attempted
TO prove that some of the ballOtbOXes were stuffed
with these little OScrs but utterly failed could
not be shown that any Of them found their way INTO
tho boxes surreptitiously.
In regard to Attorney General Cookies testimony
that he went 10 the room in which the Returning
Board held its sessions found the door locked and
subsequently saw General NoYes and Governor
Stearns come out, the substance of which was tele-
praphed by the Associated Press, Judge McLin
sore that he was never coseted with those two gen
tlemen He said that he sometimes kept the door
of the room locked in order 90 prevent the
crowd from coming in and 1t is possible that General
Moves and Governor Steans may have been in the
room on legitimate business at the same time and
Acknowledgement Cooke may have seen them come
ont but they never were there for any improper
purpose and he never held any private consultation
with them In the room. "
or the visiting statesmen, Judge McIAn said that
they only gave to tho Republican officers the moral
support of their presence. There was, ne SAID, q
great deal OF bulldozing in the State. lie himself
supposed be WAS followed for the purpose Of being
as.assinated and Mr. Manton Marble was talking TO
HIM in a mysterious way. The visiting statesmen
lid what they could 10 encourage the Republicans
20 do their duty feaTessly, but never advised them
10 commit fraud or said anything approving fraud