The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-25

al I'LL lO, 1910. i I'LL LIE
against Bisbec which Alachua county, Greene
moore was OF tho inspectors ut Archer precinct
No 2 and who certified TO tho correctness OF the re-
turns but aiterward made an affidavit that the rc-
turns were fraudulent; finally November 20, 1876.
made secohd affidavit, record, In which be
swears that he was "induced TO make the nrst an
davit representing such certificate OF be
incorrect return OF the votes cast at said precinct
on said day; that SAID affidavit was extorted
from him while under the presence OF strong mental
excitement and Is false In every and should
not DO taken as castng doubt upon or IN any way al
iecng the validity correctness OF the returns OF the
vote cast al Archer precinct No 3 and certified TO by
the inspectors at said precinct aforesaid also that
another OF The inspectors, Floyd Dukes, negro who
also signed the returns and subsequently charged
fraud, on tho 25th Of November 1875 revoked this
charge In an affidavit, also record, In which no
swears:-
"Afnant further says that since signing said corn-
cato he has been induced to make sfIldavii, the
nature and purport OF which he did not understand
NJ the time, and which affidavit made by him
under duress and while in great fear Of personal
icnce, denying the correctness OF said certificate;
that being now made acquainted with tho char
actcr and purport OF said AFFIDAVIT no pionounccs IL
false In every particular and says tina, should
be taken as Affecting in nny way tho correctness
or validity 81 tho certificate OF the returns OF tho
vote cast AZ Archer. precinct No. q tho sad day
OF election and signed then and there by nspec
tors as aforesaid FLOYD DUKES
HIS mark.n
Administration people say that there is evidently
desperate attempt In some quarters. whether demo-
cratic or anti-Haycs republican docs yet appear,
TO got up case, tho bottom OF which has already
iaIien OUT, as appears In those afidavit.
SENATOR JONES SATISFIED.
Senator Jones' OF Florida, says that the confessions
OF McLin and Dennis have not yet arrived In
Washington. He has aware Tor several weeks
past that just such developments would BIO made
have now come TO light He has NO doubt whatever
Of their truth and authenticity but he yet say
what Is the present condition OF tho case.
TILDEx NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.
Colonel H. II. Finley, OF tho CONFIDENTIAL agents
Of Mr. Tilden in ashington during the electoral
count says That Dennis hero four 1--WE months
ago aud told him then that Florida had been carried
for Hayes by q process Of adding and substituting
votes. which ADDED between eight and nino hun
dred 10 tho republican ticket Dennis claimed that
he had boon careful any perjury In tho
aldavits and papers which had prepared to Sc
cure this object There nced he said, when
darktes could DC had IN abundance a. $40 apiece TO
swear to anything that was wanted Colonel Finley
eays Anut IHucn mas nOtnin2 Whatever 10 90 with
the present developments In Florida.
SOMETHING ABOUT DENNIS.
or Mr. l. G. Dennis ;I IL asccrtained that he was
appointed special agent Of by tho Secretary
OF the Treasury TO examine bonds OF collectors
toms IN tho Southern States, principally OF North
Carolina ana Florida. Though no had always been
an enemy OF Ex-Governor Drew no obtained o letter
from him to Ex-Governor Dawkins, before whom his
cases were 10 come, asking him 10 trent Dennis
kindly. Persons hero who have met Dennis In
Florida say, with considerable feeling, that he
would sell out any ono anything. Some threo
weeks ago Dennis was here In company with a Major
Bell, and ho then In consultation with persons
10 whom no gave an outline OF what testimony no
could give regard TO tho Florida election He then
openly avowcd that no could prove that tho members
OF tho Board had grossly tempered with the rcturns
and falsely returned tho Hayes electors But no
added IN q cautious way that hc was going
to what the republican party would do for him, a.
he had been worry badly treated and not In any way
appreciated for what no had douc aud tho risks nc
had taken. II this treatment was going to continue
ne would then set aside every feeling OF party
crntion and tell all he know TO have satisfaction Tor
tho way no bad boon, 40 DO consendcd, maltvcatso
and ignored Ho suddenly disappeared IRON hove and
nov turns up In Florida where he has been supposed
DO dischargiag ofco dutios Tor the Treasury Do.
partmcnt
HOW NEWS or THE CONFESSIONS" WAS NE
CEIyED AT DosroN-A SKETCH OF DENNIS.
BosroS, April "a, 1873
Tho announcement that McI.in ana Dennis OF the
Florida Returning Board had made writton state
ments. OF fraudulent transactions in tho matter OF
ecctnq and counting In tho Presidential electors In
1876 created excitement this city and vcin-
ity. whore Dennis Is very we'll known Tho prevail
ing sentiment during tho nrss two weeks succeeding
tho national election was that Tilden had carried
Florida, and tho revival OF tho fraud story has In
measure Disconnected tho Hayes mon but has created
q good deal OF satisfaction IN Democratic circles.
SKETCH or DENNIS.
Leonard G. Dennis, tho 'iutlo giant OF Aiachua
county, as he Is called, Is Massachusetts, man Ho
Is a native OF Beverly, and went out In September
1862 second lieutenant OF Company X. Fortictn
Massachusetts Volunteer infantry. Ho 10 but trne
over Ave feet height, and was famariy known In
tho regiment as Little Dennis" His record is
good; no was u bravo soldier and efficient ofncer,
md was promoted to the rank OF captain In
1864, which position no hold when tho regimen,
vas discharged in Juno, ls6a Tho For,ic,h rcsl-
mcnt was stationed In Florila tho winter Of 1904
and at tho close OF tho war Donnis ana two other
former officers Of the Fortcth Major Horaiio Jenkins
Jr., and DR.. Paul Garvn went TO Florida, whore they
have since lived. Dennis has taken an active part
in politics IN his adopted State. He has borno tho
reputation among those most intimate With him
being Straightforward, rquarc dealing man, and s
statement Of the great fraud FLORIDA, by which tho
OF tho State counted for Hayes, viii DO gcner.
ally believed by those who knew him hcreabouts
LETTER FROM Mn. MASroS MARBLE ON THE
FLORIDA FRAUDS.
To THE EDrroR or rHE HERALD
Tho striking despatch IRON Jacksonville. Fla,
which ron publish this morning as 10 tho Florida
election frauds, and tho comic ssions by McLin