The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-05-15
FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-.
REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE.

The Presidential Frauds About 60 Under
ge Investigation in thfs Branch OF Con-
Kress-Resolution Introduced by Mr..
rOtter-InterestIng Debates Both
sides of the Hessse.
WAsHINGroS, May 49,
The vote by which the main question was
ordered on the till to regulate the interstate
com nerce was reconsidered, and the bill
Went over till tomorrow.
Mr.. Lsphaz introduced a Joint resolution
reciting the danger to which the country
znsy be subjected by the threatened eruption
Of Sitting Full by raids across the Mexican
and Canadian border, and by Instructions
IN several states, such as occurred last year,
and authorizing the president II, IN his
judgment it may seem necessary, TO increase
the arIEy during the recess o. congress by
the enlistment OF volunteers not TO exceed
80 00o m number.
Mr. Potter. as 3 question OF privilege, pre-
sentee the following preamble and resolu-
ton,
Whereas, The state of Maryland has, by its
legislature, formally declared that due effect
was mot given to the electoral vote cast by that
state on the 9Th day of December, 1876, by rea-
SON 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 or
tire state of Florida for the election held In
that state in November, 1876, for electors of
president and vice president has been made
public, alleging false and fraudulent returns
OF votes for such election in that state whereby
the choice of the people of that state an
nulled and reversed, and that the action of the
board of state canvasSers making such returns
was influenced by the conduct and promises
of the Hon Edward F. Noyes now minister to
the government of France; and
Whereas, II is alleged that a conspiracy ex-
listed in the state OF Louisiana whereby the
republican " te in all precincts OF the parish
of East Feliciana. and in some precincts of
West Feliciana, at the general election in No
xuas " withheld from the
polls to at I'd n pretext for the exclusion by
the returning board OF that state of the vote
east I'm those precincts for the electors of
president end vice president, and that James
r. Anderson, supervisor OF REGISTRATION OF East
iStration in the parish OF west Feliciana,
in that state, IN furtherance OF
that conspiracy, falsely protested that
the election in such precincts had not been
fair and free, and that the state returning
board thereupon falsely and fraudulently eX-
Guided the votes of said precincts, and by
means thereof and OF ether false and fraudu-
lent action by said returning board, the choice
Of the people of that state was annulled and
reversed. and that such action OF said Weber
and Anderson was Endorsed or encouraged by
assurances of the Hon John Sherman, Secre-
tary OF the treasury of the United States; and
Whereas, The gravity Of these charges and
the nature of the evidence upon which they
are reported To be based, and the official dig
connec ion with said frauds, make il proper
that the same should be inquired into, TO the
end that the honor Of the nation may be vim
made known therefore be IL
Resolved, That select committee, consist
ing of IL members of this house, be appointed
TO inquire into the aforesaid allegation as to
the conduct of persons in office aforesaid in
respect to SAID election, and into the al. eyed
false fraudulent return OF votes by state,
county, parish and precinct officers In the
said states of Louisiana and Florida, and into
al facts which in the judgment of
the said committee are connected with or per-
tinent thereto, and that the said committee,
fer the purpose of executing this resolution,
shall nave power to send for persons and
papers, to administer OathS and 10 take testi-
Jnony, and in their discretion to detail sub
committees, with like full authority of the said
committee IN every particularsand with power
10 set IN Florida and louisiana, which sub
committees shall be a committee OF this
house and the chairman thereof shall be au-
thorized to administer Oaths. That I'D COM
mittee and sub committees may employ stem
ographers and be attended each by deputy
sergeant.at-arne and may sit during the SEES
slonS OF this house and during vacation, and
that said committee proceed in their INJURY
and have leave to report al any time the IN
cumbent is entitled-tO a seat.