Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-05-24
The Re-opening Of the Presidential
Ouesrion

The contest which was begun in the House
of Representatives ON Monday of last week
over Carkson n Potter's resolution for in
vestigating the alleged frauds in Louisiana
and Florida in the Presidential election Of
1876, continued until Friday when it was ter
minated by the adoption Of the resolution
the Democrats having that day succeeded in
obtaining votes enough for Ia quorum. The
tactics adopted by the Republicans were the
same throughout rs in the beginning those
Of simply not voting, thus leaving the House
without quorum until tho Democrats could
call back to Washington and drum in the req
uisite number, III, of their own adherents
The contest might have been continued in
definitely by the Republicans, by intcIposing
dilatory motions; but they determined not to
delay the public business in this manner. and
to leave the success Of the resolution to de-
pend entirely upon Democratic votes. Be
heving that the purpose of the resolution is
to reopen the question Of the Presidential IL
tie that it is revolutionary in character, and
was devised for party ends, the Republicans
resolved that no act of theirs should assist its
passage, but at the same time they resolved
not to jeopardize the public interests by seiz-
ing parliamentary advantages and interpos-
ing factious opposition. The proceedings in
the House pending the adoption of the reso-
luton were characterized by great confusion
and disorder. The Democrats refused to lis
ten to reason from any source, and even cried
down the Hon. A. II. Stevens of Georgia.
who opposed the resolution and vainly sought
for a hearing of only three minutes. Seeing
he was powerless to check the purposes of his
party friends, Mr. Stephens abandoned his
efforts and retired from the hall in disgust
When the main question was finally ordered
there was barely quorum of votes, the Re
| publicans still not voting, and the resolution
was adopted 14j to Mills of Texas and
Moore of Massachusetts, being the two Demo
Gratis who had the courage and manhood to
follow their own convictions and vote against
the proposition.
On Monday Speaker Randall named his in
vestigating committee as follows: Potter of
New York, chairman, Morrison of Illinois
Hunton of Virginia, Mcmahon of Ohio. Stem
ger of Pennsylvania Blackburn Of Ky. Cobb
of Indiana Democrats; Butler of Mass
Hiscock of New York, Cox of Ohio, and Reed
of Maine Republicans. Nothing has been
developed as TO the plan of action to be adopt
ed by the committee. 1t has not yet been
called together for organization, owing to the
! necessity of perfecting the plans of the men
who called it into being, but it is supposed
that subcommittee will be sent to Florida
and Louisiana, while the main body follow a
previously prepared line of investigation in
Washington.
What is thought of this latest Democratic
movement by the President by the State
governors, and by leading papers, is fully in
dictated by articles and extracts published in
our columns to-day. The ringing and indig-
nant letter of Hon. John Sherman. Secretary
of the Treasury, has taken the wind COM
pletely out of the investigation sails so far as
he is concerned, and equally to the point
was the action of Gen. Moves Minister to
France, who telegraphed Immediately on the
news of the adoption of the Potter resolution.
Have me subpGnaed Mt once" Whatever
the ultimate object of this movement may be
whether it is to Gust Mr.. Hayes from his
seat, or whether it is only to furnish capital
for coming political campaigns-the candid
| sober sense of the country looks upon it as
nothing short of piece of partisan folly, and
leading business men of both parties depre-
cate it as a blow at the returning feeling of
confidence and prosperity which was already
beginning to dawn under the influence of a
more cordial national feeling, and with the
promise ahead of a rarely favorable season
with Astounding crops in every section of the
country.