The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-05-23
Fraud Can and Will be Inves-
tigated.
THE RADICAL ElLIBUSTERS
BEATEN.

ClS8CcOs
THE RADICAL EILUBUSTERs
BEATEN.
The Investigation OlutiOms
Adopted.
On the 18th inst, Hon. Clarkson N.
Potter of New York, offered in the
National House of Representatives the
following preamble and resolution re-
lating to the electoral frauds in Flori-
da and Louisiana:
WHEREAS, The State of Maryland
has, by its Legislature, formally do
clared that due effect was not given to
the electoral vote cast by the State on
the 9th day of November, 1876, by
reason OF fraudulent returns in the
electoral votes from the States of
Florida and Louisiana; and,
WHEREAs. An affidavit, by Samuel
b. McLin, Chairman OF the Board of
State Canvassers Of the State of Flor
ida, for the election held in that State
in November, 1876, for the election of
President and Vice President, has
been made public, alleging false and
fraudulent returns ofthe votes of such
election in that State, whereby the
choice of the people OF that State was
annulled and reversed, and that the
action of the Board of State Canvass.
ers making such returns was infn-
eDced by the conduct and promiee of
Hon. Edward f. Noyes, now Minis
ter to the Government of France and
WHEREAS, 1t is alleged that con-
spiracy existed in the State of LOuisi.
~ In
all the precincts of the parish OF East
Feliciana, and in some precincts of
West Feliciana, at the general election
in November. 1876, was purposely
withheld from the polls, to afford q
pretext tor the exclusion by the Re-
turning Board of that State of the
votes cast in those precincts for elect.
Ors of President aud Vice President
and that James E. Anderson. super
yison of Registration OF East Felici.
ana. and ID. A. Weber. Supervisor of
Registration in the parish of West
Feliciana, in that State, in fnrtherance
Of that conspiracy, falsely protested
that the election in such precincts had
not been fair and free, and that the
Returning Board Of that State falsely
and fraudulently excluded votes of
said precincts, and by means thereof
aud of other false and fraudulent ac-
ton by said Returning Board, the
choice Of the people of the State was
anuulled and reversed, and that such
action of said Weber and Anderson
was induced or encouraged by assur
anccs of Hon. John Sherman, Secre-
tary Of the Treasury OF the United
States and
WHEREAS, The gravity of these
charges, the nature OF the evidence up
on which they are reported to be
based, and the official dignity and pO-
sitiOn of persons named in connection
with said frauds make it proper that
the same should be inquired into, to
the end that the honor of the nation
may be vindicatcd and the truth as to
such elections be made known there
fore, be it
ResolUed, That Select Committee,
consisting of eleven members of this
House, be appointed to inquire into
the aforesaid allegation as to the con-
duct of persons aforesaid, in refpect
to said elections aud into the alleged
false and fraudulent canvass and re-
turn of votes by State, county, parish
and precinct officers in said States of
Louisiana and Florida, and into all
facts which in the judgment Of said
committee are connected with or per-
tinent thereto, and that said Committee
for the purpose of executing this res
olution, shall have power to send for
persons and papers, to administer
Oaths and to take testimony, and in
their disci elton to detail cub commit
tees, with like full authority of said
Committee In every particular, and
with power to sit in Florida and Lou
isiana, which subcommittee shall be
committees of this house, aud the
chairman thereof shall be authorized
to administer Oaths; that said Com
mittee and sub committees may en-
ploy stenOgraphers, and be attended
each day by Deputy Sergeant at
arms, and may sit during vacation, and
that the Select Committee proceed
in this inquiry, and have leaye to re.
port at any time.
The Radicals fought the passage of
the resolution at every step and re-
sorted to every species of parliament
ary trickery to prevent an inquiry into
the frauds by which the people of the
nation were cheated out of their high
OSe PtlVAiCSC uuOCk Vic NOuSllLutlOu
Of electing their Chief Magistrate,
even after the tools of the conspira-
tors have openly confessed their par
ticipation in the Infamous crime. The
Radical members of the House went
SO far in their efforts TO prevent the
investigation as to refuse to vote,
thereby preventing quorum and en-.
tirely blocking the wheels of legisla-
tion and preventing the transaction OF
business for a time +; but their triumph
was of short duration. On Friday
the Democrats won signal victory
over the RAIDS by the triumphant pass.
age Of the resolution. The vote stood
LAT to 2, the Republicans, except Fort,
of Illinois, Mitchell, of Wisconsin and
Butler of Massachusetts, still refusing
to vote. And now the country will
be able to obtain the bottom facts in
regard to this greatest crime in Oul
country's history.
The attitude OF the Republican lead
ers is an open confession that Hayes
is all usurper, and that ap-invcstiga.
ton OF the means by winch he OBJ
taincd the Office will not only demon
stratc the fraudulency of his title bu,
implicAte some of the high dignitarie,
who surround the throne with com.
plicity in the high crime of robbins
the people of their most cherished
and sacred constitutional rights.