Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-12-30
The RiHine TnycNsigatiOn.

Mr. Blaine, in his letter TO Mr.. Teller (chair
man Of the Senate investigating committee)
relative to alleged election frauds in the SOUTH
says he would specially call the attention of
the committee to tie tiSSue-ballot frauds in
South Carolina. He refers to the breaking 10
of republican meetings in that state and to the
local laws which made free voting impossible
in certain counties. He further invites the al
tention OF the committee TO the murders in
TenSaS parish, Louisiana, on election day, &C.
Among the witnesses he desires summoned are
James B. Campbell, +. w. NJ. Mackey and c. G..
Mimminger, Of South Carolina; Gov. Nichols,
his agent, Colonel zachary; EX-Chief Justice
Lrdeiing, of Louisiana; Hon. Reuben Davis. of
MISSISSIPPI; }. Cole Davis OF Helena, Ark. and
tie editor Of the AralGncae, a democratic paper
published in Memphis, Tenn.
OPINION OF THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL.
Mr. S. l.. Phillips. acting attorney general.
has transmitted TO the Secretary OF the Trea-
suiy an opinion on the subject Of First Com
uoIier PorterS decision that the $4,000 Con
grcssional appropriation OF last session WAS
not available for paying the expenses OF the
Teller committee. Mr.. Phillips SAYS in his
opinion the appropriation in question is in
tended for any Investigation or inquiry what
ever directed by the Senate in connection with
tie election investigation. This decision will
enable the committee to use the S2e,0ob hereto
fore appropriated, notwithstanding the doubts
Of Tie fISt controller OF the Treasury.
NETTING OF THE COMMITTEE TO-DAY
The committee met this morning, Senators
Teller, Cameron. KirkWood, Garland and Bailey
present. The chairman, Mr.. Teller. informed
the committee OF the decision Of Acting Attor-
Gey General Phillips that the money approDr-
ated for the Investigation Of the Presidential
elections OF 1876 Is applicable TO the purposes OF
TIE Blaine investigation, and OF the ultimate
concurrence OF Comptroller Porter in that de-
ciS1Cn. Mr. Teller was happy to state that tie
committee was now out OF its financial distress
and could proceed with the Investigation tmme-
Giately. senators Garland and Bailey aleS-
TONED the pfopriety OF the expenditure of the
money, Notwithstanding Mr.. Phillips decision
Zach argued that the committee would be held
a .nr
suggested the propriety OF an expression OF
opinion on the part Of the individual members
CT the committee as TO the right Of the commit
tee 10 use money which. according TO the Strict
Interpretation of the act. was appropriated for
another purpose. This suggestion led TO a ioap
discussion about the Interpretation OF the act
the democrats holding that in constituting its
meaning the act must stand as enrolled. The
republicans maintained that the evident mean
ing cf the act was TO have the appropriation an
Ply TO such, " instead Of said Investigations
senator Cameron NOV ed that q sub committee
0f seven be appointed to visit New Orleans.
La, and Charleston, S. c., and such other
points as the sub committee might decide upon,
to prosecute the investigation. AT the Sugge5-
ton OF Mr.. Teller, Mr.. Cameron modified his
resolution so as to provide for subcommittee
OF five instead OF seven members. Mr.. Garland
OF three members. Mi. Cameron aSSented TO
this proposition. but after some discussion 1t
was decided that five should be the number,
and the chairman selected the subcommittee
as iollOwS:-MeSsrs. Teller, Cameron KfrkyvOod,
Garland and Bailey. The settlement of a date
fer the sub committee to leave for New Orleans
WEeTe @ Il VIII begin It's labors was next in order.
MT. Teller was in a hurry to start, and said that
he could be ready to go in couple OF hours
Mr. k1IkWood objected to this haste; he intend
Cd TO take 81 me clean clothes with him, and
CCuld not possibly pack his trunk In two hours
81 nato' Garla1 aid that when the decision of
tie Controlltr r was made, that the committee
could OF use money appropriated for the Pres.-
d ntial election investigation, he had aban-
dOned all idea of leaving the city un-
I'll after Congress meets, and had engaged
to prepare. during the vacation, a report on the
proposed et re- lniZatOn of the Indian territory
and also report in the McGarrahan case. It
was OF the graveSt consequence to him that he
should be present to attend the first two or
tlIee sessions OF the Senate after the close OF
he IT cess. Then he would be ready to go south
and stay all summer If necessary. Mr.. Bailey
a SO expressed strong desire not TO leave
" Washington until after the reaSSemblng OF
Congress. Mr.. Teller insisted that the commit
tee should begin It's work at once, and not de-
!ay MesSrs. Garland and Bailey repudiated
the idea that they We're attempting to de,ay or
hamper the investigation. On the contrary
t.ey wanted it to be of the most sweeping and
conn., rehenslve character but they thought
little would be gained by hurrying out OF Wash
llgtCn before Congress meets. Mr.. Garland Of
f3red a resolution that the subcommittee
s lould start Tor New Orleans on Thursday, jan
H. This resolution was defeated by a strict
ftS Vote. MI. Ga an then said that he
thought by working nignC and day he could dis
pose OF one OF the reports fntruSted him TO pre-
pdIe oy HeAC thursday, ana tnaC senator Nc
Dol aid would relieve him OF the balance of his
work; therefore, he moved that the sub-corn-
mttee start for New Orleans On Thursday eve
ming next. II the majority persisted In leaving
before tat time he should decline to serve
The motion was unanimously adopted
MI. Garland then offered q resolution request
Ing The chairman OF the committee to call upon
the President and Attorney General and obtain
from them such information in their posses
sion concerning alleged election outrages in
dil1erent states as they can make public with
out detlineDt to the public service The reSo-
lut1on was adopted without discussion The
committee then adjourned.
senator Thurman is now engaged in prepar-
Ing the information for the use of the commit.
tee, which was the basis of the amendment he
offered to Blaine'S resolution.
A REQUIsITION FOR S10,0G0
Tie Acting Attorney General having decided
that the appropriation of S20,0G0 heretofore
made could be used by the Teller Investigating.
committee, the Secretary OF the Senate this
morning made r2quiSitiOn upon the Secretary
or the Treasury for SlO,G 600 Of the money The
requiSition was pushed through without delay
and the money delivered to the Secretary, to be
by him disbursed upon vouchers approved BY
Mr. Teller, who is chairman of the special COM
mttee.
TIE DISCUSSION
III the committee this mOrning Indicated that
no report Will be made at the present session of
Congress, but that tie committee will continue
Its iabCrS until the Whole matter Is thoroughly
prObed.