New-York tribune., 1878-04-26
Mc11N HARMLESS BOMBsIIELL.
ma co[YEss,oy. WHICH WAS INTENDED TO IN
ptopE WITH TERRIFIC EFFECT, FlZL'ES AWAY
......nr-1 NJ ,nNIING ANYBODY.

u,s CONFESSION WHICH WAS lNlENpip ~ ~
PIopE WITH TERRIFIC EFFECT Fl|A'L9 A"Ni
WITHOUT HARMING ANYBODY
InY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.I
WASHINGTON, April 25.--The Florida disclosure
turns ont 70 have been a sensation OF short duratloh
Tboro was some interest among members OF Con
es to-day TO sec the alleged confession OF hclin'
int Il was u interest born of curiosity rather thah
of conviction that ii was document destined %
nlay any important part in the policies OF the ue
Tho whole secret of the Blair movement, CT when
tbis Florida business Is part, is the determination
nf few Democrats to plaut their party squareiy Oh
" fraudn platform, and force the party 10 nen'
the Fall campaign under a banner bearing
that word as q motto. They may succeoo
TOO. for though there are very ie" De"io
80 ,ybo now countenance any attempt to
disturb the settlement of the presidential eiec''oh
nnestion by the Electoral Commission, there are
many, perhaps a majority, VINO are anxious 'n"'
what they call "the truth of history shall be vim
1lcated. and who would not object TO a lrauu
campaign fthey could win IN It,
Fvcrv movement of the active Democrats points
IN this one end They have been having secret
investigation in Florida and probably in LOUISIANA
ond the Judiciary Committee of the House VIII GER
toiplv make report on the Blair memorial ana the
Ono Warrahto Bill and this report. in which VIII De
gathered UP all the confessions and conIectures
that can be obtained, and the strongest
Geo that the facts or bare assertions
make possible will he put forward as campaign
document 'It cannot fail to have some influence
ON honest people" said a leading Northern Democrat
TODAY 'if we show that Florida was carried ior
HAYES nv shifting ballot-bOXes and forging returns;
and this remark discloses the whole purpose OF the
movement now on foot in the House of Representa-
tlycs. 49, ,,.
Members of Congress have been very careful about
EXPRESSING their opinions to-day in regard 10 the
alleged confession of McLin, and its effect either
ponCongress or the country. From brief CONVEX
sations with few leading men, especially on the
Democratic side, it appears that this dlsclos-
ure has caused little if any change in the
general sentiment of the House toward the
Blair memorial and the Quo Warranto Bill. \ few
Democrats follow Mr.. Blairs lead, and desire 10
have the whole question TeOpened with view OF
removing President Hayes; but the large majority
Of the party is opposed to any scheme which has
any revolutionary object Many Democrats
representing the business and commercial
interests of all sections of the country, are
tired of the whole business and do not wish to have
the country further disturbed by discussion Of the
electoral question.
gentleman who is intimately acquainted with
the Tilden case, and is a supporter of the Blair
movement, said to-day: The truth must come ont.
McLins confession but the beginning OF disclosures
. in Florida Other documentary evidence is TO come
out. The same is true as to Louisiana. The facts
yet to be brought to light will startle the public
conscience and create revulsiOn in public opinion.
The case is not closed, as many seem to think,
although il cannot be reached except by the passage
of new law. That law can be passed by both
Houses of Congress and public opinion will compel
the President to sign it. Before this Congress is
ended you will see the Ono WarTantO Bill passed
A very pronounced ex-Confederate and Bourbon
Democrat spoke as follows to-day land his remarks
illustrate the sentiment of large class of Southern
men): 1--WE will have nothing to do with this bus
mess. 1t is ended. We will not lift one finger 70
and Sam. Tildcn. McLin's confession or any OF the
terrible disclosures that are promised could
not change our views as to the facts
in the case as they existed before the
Electoral Commission. But Mr. Hayes's title
Is not dependent upon anything that was done at
the ballot-bOxes He holds his title by an act of
Congress- and he will keep it. And for my part l
respect q man who would steal the Presidency more
than would one who was coward ard sneak enough
10 permit it to be stolen from him."
TIE SECRET OBJECT OF THE CONFESSION.
The EreainO Sidr to-day publishes the following
in regard to the Florida disclosure:
The so-caed confession of McLn Of the Florida Re
resenting n Western district in Congress for over
ten days also corroboratlve affidavit by
Messrs. Black and Vance. who admit that they
made bogus returns for Alachua County and destroyed
the originals The statement OF McLn. which believed
10 be genuine but small part OF the case the
custodian Of the documents said this morning that there
the allegation that the vote of Florida was honestly cast
There is undoubted for the belief that during
the entire Winter the Florida and Louisiana counts OF the
Electoral votes by the Returning Boards have been tho
Lin The city, during the time his nomination
pending in the senae!to be Chief Justice Of New-MexcO
he made the acquaintance OF Alfred L. Morton,
who was formerly special agent OF the
Post Once Department through the influence
of senator Conking He worked for Hayes in Forida,
but lost his office after Hayes came into the Presidency,
and seems TO have been soured thereby; While in
Florida he became acquainted with McIn, and
was in his confidence Aoout three months % ago he
that he could secure the cooperation Of prominent pol
would give indispntable eyidehee that Hayes and
wheeler we're not entitled 10 the vote OF Florida. II Is
Conkng Representative Springer and Others but il il
not known that he got any encouragement from them
but according 70 report he was taken up by Tden and
From time to time he has forwarded to Congressman
ties 10 the count going 10 show that the vote was
socaied confession Of MoLn which he sent from JaeF
eonvile over fortnight ago.
II had been the intention those who have been Sc
erety making this investigation TO introduce preamble
and resolution the first reeitng the allegation that the
vote OF Florida was audulenty counted TO be fortified
by the confessions and adsyits received and the
ond calling investigation Of the alleged fraudu
lent count by the judiciary Committee. The
purpose 10 spring the matter surprise
upon the House with such al overwhelming
mass Of eonnf1natiye testimony would preclude the
possibility Of defeat Of the resolution for ihvestgaton
BY somo means the matter walpremsturely given pub
hety at Jacksonville and telegraphed In meagre outline
over tpe country by the Associated Press. This has
somewhat dsarranged the plans heretofore agreed upon
ana the course 10 be pursued Is left for
action.
The Mr. Dennis who has figured during the last
Few days in the Florida reports began to mportune
the Administration for Office Immediately after