Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-05-31
News by Telegraph.
WASHINGTON NEWS.
The investigation business.


the investigation, that they may make pre-
partitions accordingly. Several of the ma
jority expressed themselves in favor OF con-
fning the investigation to Louisiana and
Florida. but there was no general express
sion of views on that point, and with view
to considering the question between them
selves the majority suggested an adjourn
ment until wednesday, which was agreed
to, and an answer to the minority will
probably be given then.
POTTER WRITES LETTER.
Clsrkson N. Potter writes a long letter to
a friend in New York, concerning the pres
ijentisl election vestigation. lie OK
plains that lIale's amendment was not al
lowed to be attached to the Potter resolu-
ton: First. because it was understood to
contain certain recitals to which the demo-
Gratis could not assent, and which would
have forced them to vote against
their own resolution second, because
every opportunity was offered to have
the amendment adopted as a separate
resolution third. because its incorporation
into the resolution might have prevented
any report upon the resolution in this
Congress. Potter says there is not the
slightest chance of revolution or disturb
ance on account of the investigation. II
fraud should be discovered, palpably affect
ing the electoral vote, and if legal remedy
exists or should be provided by Congress, a
legal determination would produce no more
disturbance than the decision Of the cleo
toral commission did. lie holds
that Congress had the right to determine
which of the conflicting returns should have
been counted, and that if both houses had
failed to agree and no election by electors
had resulted. it was the right of the House
to choose President. lie comedies it was
necessary to submit to the results of the
electoral commission, after having accepted
it. but argued that it is proper to try to show
that the returns were fraudulent Regarding
the electoral controversy he terms the whole
thing gigantic game. in which the demo-
Gratis held the cards and the republicans
bluhed them. The republican capture of
seventeen votes to elect their candidate
when the democrats needed only one will
hereafter be regarded as one Of the greatest
political performances in history. There il.
no danger to public order from the possible
action by Congress, because Congress
expresses but not anticipates the people,
will. What action, if any. legal or
congressional. should be taken. depends
upon the results of the inquiry. We must
have very sorry sort Of popular govern
ment if Congress cannot inquire into frauds
in the choice OF an exclusive without en-
dangering the coun.ry'S peace and pros
peritv. The purpose of the investigation,
Potter says, is to ascertain the facts so that
if frauds be established the repetition
Of such frauds may be prevented,
and if not to clear up the gen
eral belief throughout the country that
that there we're such frauds. Potter claims
that the alleged bulldozing Of negroes in
the South was condition of things irsudu-
lently prepared by the republicans and that
the returning boards, backed by federal
power, cheated the democrats out of the
election. Unless these fraudulent proceed
ings be exposed the outrage may be repeated
able. Referring to tho Gpprehensions of
capitalists, he says: Capital magnifes the
dangers on the surface and overlooks those
beneath. The real danger consists in falsi-
tying the will Of the people. and thus sub
verting the theory Of free government. To
confront the evil you may not right. is to
to it is to jeopsrdize the peace, safety and
prosperity of the country
TIE FISHERY AWARD.
WASHINGTON, May Ex-senator Uamlin
reported from tho committee on foreign re-
lstions bill providing for the payment of
the Halifax fishery award, and also a con-
current resolution approving the statements
Of report made by the committee This
report reviews the case and shows that the
award was alike unreasonable and unjust
and shows that it should not DO regarded as
precedent for futaro action.
The report of the foreign relations COM
mittee on the fishery award. submitted to-
day, by Senator Hsmlin, gives brief his
tory of the Halifax commission, and states
that the single question to be determined
was the value of the in-shore fisheries of the
gulf of tho St. Lawrence to American fish
ermen, over and above what the American
market for fish free Of duty was
worth to Canadian fishermen, the
latter also having tho right of
free fishing in American in-shore
waters. The committee says howevermuch
they may regard the award as excessively
eIorbitant, and possibly beyond the legal
and proper power of those making it, they
would not recommend the government to
it. il tho British government.
after full review OF all the fact and circum-
stances, declare the award lawfully and
due. The committee think it
the twenty-lour years since the reciprocity
treaty was negotiated, the fisheries have not
improved in their resources, whereas the
markets in the United States have nearly
doubled. The returns of customs receipts
for the four years from 1878 to 1877 shows
our government romitted duties to
Canadian fisherman of nearly $780,
300 per snnum. Under tho Halifax
award our government is called upon to pay
nearly half million moro per annum for
those years, making an aggregate Of more
than 5000 0O0 per annum in gold for the
privilege Of in-shore fisheries. the enjoyment
1f which does not. according to the most re-
liable statistics, add twenty-five thousand
dollars per annum to the prof
It's of American iishermen. The committee
suggest that in the event Of the payment OF
The award, the utmost care and circumspec-
lion be employed to disabuse the minds of
he British and Canadian governments and
The people of any possible impression that
The United States or American people do or
,ver can accept the award ~ a just meas
Ire OF the value of the in-shore fisheries
ruR DEMOCRATS BARELY ESCAPE THEIR OWN
TRAP.
WASHINGTON. May 29.-lhe question OF
the consideration of the final
resolution until june was
brought up upon the opening of the House,
o-day. Tho democrats were nearly caught
n their own trap. Fernando Wood DIS
covered that there were not democrats
nough present to carry it. when he moved
o adjourn to-day in order TO
,ain timo The republicans charged him
With iibustoring on his own motion.
The democrats were defeated in their mo-
ion by vote of l2i ayes to 1872 nays. IL |
democrats boiling their caucus and voting