Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-06-04
The "Fraud" Investigation.

but to allow representatives of The press
to be present at the meetings, also to al
low Secretary Sherman counsel Ander-
son was the only witness examined, and
his examination had not progressed very
tar at the close of the session. Sub-com-
mittees are II 60 10 Louisiana and Florida.
To defray the expenses OF the investisa-
ton s20. 900 has been voted tythe House.
The same body that refused to make APP
propriations tor the army and navy last
wear. had no hest alton in voting the above
laige sum for the unholy plrpose OF p,o-
noting a revolution in the government.
We say revolution, because il tlis par
tisan, trumpedup inve: tlgaton means
ANYTHING at all. it must mean the unseat-
ing of President Hayes and the l.cing OF
T,lden in the Presidential Office, and lis
can only be effected by revolution. NV
cannot SAYS the New York Times, TOO
frankly recognize the po>sib lay Vi con-
fict as a result OF the reopeniug OF The
Presidential controversy. The proceed
ings that led to the "a pIntmelt OF tae
special committee. under the pressure OF
caucus dictation, are inrxpicable exec pt
on the hypothesis that tn'y are intended
to produce the efl, Ct which many OF their
supporters are eager to disc Lain. Merely
as Il contrivance Tor the exposure OF al
legged frauds, without any practical bear
ing upon the Presidential / tie, the affair
would be absurd. The story is old rs the
election, and can have no interest save IA
the pretext for plans al present unavowed.
The humiliation of Messrs Sherman and
Moves is also inadequate as the Interior
object to be sought. Evidence might be
adduced in SUI port OF the charges pre-
ferred against them; they might be pun
ished and still the democratic party would
not accomplish anything appropriate 10
the effort it is making. Partisans do not
plot, send out agents to hunt up testimony,
exercise the despotism OF the caucus, and
apply the patty lash without taking the
party into their confidence, with no other
purpose than to annoy opponents. Nor
do they prtt to be actuated by an un-
selfish regard for electoral virtue, or de
sire to prevent recurrence Of events
which disgraced the election in most of
the Southern Sites. The result aimed at
can be estimated only 10y reference to the
persistent and extraordinary efforts made
to bring it about. The expulsion of Mr..
Hayes and the inst .llation OF Mr.. Tilden
can alone furnish motives corresponding
in strength with the partisan exercise of
power in the House.
Protest as he may. Mr.. Potter cannot ex-
plain away the meaning of this contingent
CIV. 1t IS revolution, civil war. The
strife that must precede such crisis may
be easily imagined The Investigating
Committee being neither more nor less
than-a packed jury, with opportunities of
manufacturing evidence to suit pre- ar
ranged verdict and of excluding evidence
at variance with its wishes, does not COM
mand public confidence. Its reported con
illusions will possess no weight outside OF
the democratic party. The republicans
will dispute them, and will deride the au-
thorty of tribunal that ignores all but
one side of the case. So far, the country
may be expected to look on with tolerable
composure. The promoters of the move
ment, having got the show OF evidence
they want, will insist that Mr. HAYES tile
is vitiated by fraud, Then will come the
question, Shall man whose title is
tainted continue to hold the office p The
inquiry will be hypocritical as the invest-
CATION. of which it will be the preordained
consequence. Impeachment may be the
answer. But impeachment in the circum-
stances that exist implies degree OF dis
cord which no one can contemplate with
Indifference. 1t would involve intense
excitement, contest that would be- des-
might end, it would be regarded by the
great body of the people as wanton
abuse of partisan power.
But Impeachment is not in favor with
the more active fomenters of mischief.
They hint at a more summary method OF
carrying their point If the Fall cleo
tons yield them the majority they RELY
upon, the authority of Mr. Hayes NAV be
disregarded, and Mr.. Tiden declared
President"
Yes, the investigation goes hand in
hand with the elections for members of
Congress that are to take place this year.
If the democrats obtain majority of the
next House, the plans of the revolution
AIRY eonspirators looking to the putting of
Hayes IN and Tlden ont will have been
accom- plished then will come the conflict
which thoughtful men see impending
as the result OF the investigation lust
begun.
Washington Correspondence of n. Y. Tribune.
Mr.. Blaine Catches the COnfeder.
ate Brigadiers i'm n Manifest