The New York herald., 1878-12-21
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 20, 1873.
MEETING OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE TO CARRY
OUT SENATOR BLAINR's RESOLUTION FOR IN
TIoN-A LACK OF EARNEsTNEss EVIDENT.
The special committee Of the Senate appointed
under the resolution Of Senator Blaine to investigate
the alleged frauds at the elections held its first
meeting to-day Immediately after the adjournment of
the Senate, in the room of the Committee Claims.
Those present were Messrs. Teller (charman). Kirk
wood and Angus Cameron republicans, and Messrs.
Bayard. Garland and Bailey. democrats. The absent
members Messrs. Hoar and Mcmillan rcpub
lcans, and Wallace. democrat. Those present found
themselves by the absence of the two republicans and
one democrat evenly divided politically, which
caused feeling of dissatisfaction the part OF at
least two Of the republicans, and there but little
disposition manifested to begin the business.
PROGRAMME NEEDED.
After general conversation, which lasted quarter
Of hour. to the scope of the work the commit
tee should endeavor to carry on. Senator Garland
offered resolution, a starting point. that a
mittee be appointed to draft a programme OF action
Tor the guidance of the committee. This proposition
ecited an interesting discussion as to the intent of
the of the original resolution in the Senate,
and expressions uttered which not compli-
mentary to its author. There was no disposition
shown by the republicans to agree to the resolution
and 50 1t was withdrawn
FACTS.
Senator Baycrd thereupon offered resolution to
Che effect that tho President be waited upon by the
chairman OF the committee. Mr.. Teller and resp pect-
fully requested. IL not incompatible with public in
terests. to furnish the committee the evidence upon
which he based that portion of his annual message
relating to troubles and intimidation at the
recent elections in the South. This resolu-
tion was the subject Of animated debate
for three-quarters of an hour. The democratic MEM
bers-Messrs Bayard Bailey and Garland-insisted
shat the President must have the material which the
committee needed to facilitate its work. and if he
willing furnish the committee with it after the
committee had been organized to carry into effect the
recommendation Of the Message what the
mittec to dos The republican members.
the other hand. opposed the adoption OF
any such resolution unnecessary. The
COMMITTEES had full authority to gather evidence. and
there question about the facts being at hand
as fast as they required. The motion to adopt
lost, Sfessrs. Teller. Krkwood and Cameron vot-
ing against Messrs. Bayard. Garland and Bailey
Tor the resolution.
SENATOR BLAINE ASKED TO
After few minutes intermission Senator Bailey
said he thought would be pertinent to allow Senator
Blaine opportunity OF appearing, by documentary
not have the benefit of his presence the commit
Zee, and no offered resolution to the effect that the
senator from Maine be requested to furnish the
snittee with the facts upon which he based his
luton. This proposition debated for time.
moro apparently. to allow the republican mcm-
bcrs opportunity of officially express-
ing their mind. and fraliy adopted,
only ono member. republican. voting against it.
The committee then adjourned uptn tomorrow.
when The first business will be the discussion of
resolution which will from senator Bayard, to
thc effect that until further orders the sessions of
che committee DO held In Washington with open
doors.
RANGE Oh THE INVESTIGATION.
II is understood that the republicans will endcavor
10 limit the inquiry to tho elections in Louisiana.
South Carolina and Virginia, while the democrats
will insist that it Is the duty of the committee to
Investigate tho whole cld including the conduct OF
She republicans at tho elections In Boston, New York.
Philadelphia. Pittsburg and Cincinnati. Senator
Wallace. It is said. the only democratic senator
who expressed desire to be the committee. aud
his object was to bring TO the attention OF Congress
the long standing charge Of official corruption in the
conduct of tho federal elections in Philadelphia.
Thc dem mocratic members profess to be unit In the