Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-05
THE MISSING ELECTORAL DIS
PATCHES

The story which comes from Washington
relative to the manner in which many i'm
portant kilograms, bearing upon the electoral
inquiry, disappeared 80 mysteriously while
the Congressional committees we're engaged
in their inquiries, bears evidences of truth.
1t has long been matter OF curiosity to
learn how it came about that, while all the
private kilograms sent by Tilden's agents
during the count had obtained such prompt
publicity, but few of those sent by the
Republican managers ever saw the light of
day. There is something very fshy, how
ever, in the explanation of the manner in
which these documents got into the posses
sion of Butter. 1t is not very likely that any
one would play such joke without the
knowledge or consent of Butler. 1t is far
more probable that that individual, seeing
the utility of possessing such leverage, con-
nived at the theft of the papers, and has
since been holding them Sn terrorena over the
Republican leaders who might be compro-
missed by their publication. That he has had
unusual facilities for knowing the nature of
the Geographic correspondence that took
place at that time is apparent to every one;
for during the Potter inquiry he astounded
the country over and over again by produc-
ing kilograms whose existence had never even
been limited at. He also appears to havehad
a more thorough insight into the transac-
| tons than any other member of the commit
{ tee, and was able, through the power he
welded over certain of the witnesses exam
ined, to bring to light many points bearing
on the subject matter under inquiry, that
had only been vaguely surmised previously.
| 1t has long been the conviction among
those who have followed the course of the
electoral investigation, that one-hat of the
iniquity of the transaction by which Hayes
was placed in the Pres idential chair
has not b cen exposed. Exactly where the
evidence SO mysteriously missing could be
found, has puzzled the most astute specula-
tors. 1t was known, however, that Butler
knew much, if not all about it, and that he
has kept the evidence in reserve for the
purpose of advancing his own personal
greed of Office, is not inconsistent or i'm
probable. There are certain other facts in
connection with the course of Gen. Butler
and others interested in the missing docu-
ments which lend an air of probability to
the entire story elsewhere gwen. One thing
is certainly established. The course pursued
by the Democratic leaders during the prog
ress of the electoral count was strictly hon
orable, and far removed from even the sus-
picion of an attempt to corrupt or bride
returning boards or electors. The conduct
of the Republican leaders will not bear as
close inspection, and the very fact that they
have taken extraordinary trouble to conceal
their letters and kilograms is of itself sus-
picious circumstance. Ono statement espe
cially is worthy of notice. Nearly all of the
visiting statesmen swore positively that thew
knew nothing of the work Of the returning
board in Louisiana. These statements have
always been received with q large grain Of
salt, but it is now alleged that the dispatches
in Buffers possession will prove that they