Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-05-17
ELECTORAL FRA UDS.

II looks new that all the participants in the
electoral frauds will in a short time be exposed
before the public. The shame Of the crime
will be placed where it properly belongs, not
upon the nation but upon the Republican
party which is now composed OF a few per-
sons compared with its strength some years
ago.
The resolution introduced Monday 10 the
House Of Representatives by the Hon. Clark
son N. Potter, of New York, and entertained
by the House as a question of the highest
privilege, provides for a searching investiga-
ton into the frauds committed 10 Florida and
Louisiana in connection with the presidential
election. The preamble to the resolution bases
the demand for investigation upon the reso-
buttons passed by the Legislature of Maryland,
upon the recent affidavit of Samuel B. McLin,
ex-Secretary of State Of Florida, and chair
man Of the State canvassing board, and other
published statements duplicating Ex-Governor
Eoyes, OF Ohio, now minister to France and
the Hon. John Sherman, of Ohio, now Secre-
ary of the Treasury, in guilty knowledge and
connivance in the frauds by which the cleo
tsral votes Of Florida and Louisiana were
secured for Mr. Hayes. The preamble declares
IN substance that the gravity and particularly
Of the charges, the high official position of the
persons implicated, the dignity and Importance
Of the presidential Office, the honor of the
nation and the truth of history all combine to
make investigation a duty in order that the
facts may be ascertaincd and known. The
resolution accordingly provides for a select
committee Of eleven members of the House,
with power to send Cor persons and papers, TO
administer oaths, to conduct the investigation
at such places as may be necessary, with leave
to sit during the recess and 10 report at any
time. In all this, il will be observed, is not
one word in regard to any Interior or practical
action to be taken, based upon the results of
investigation and the proofs of fraud obtained !;
not word about unseating Mr. Hayes or try
ing his legal title to the presidency.
No vote was had Monday or Tuesday on
account of the number OF absent Democrats. 1t
has been made partisan measure and the
Democrats present could not overcome the fill
clustering of the Republicans. Speaker Randall
says the resolution shall he brought before the
House from day to day until vote is taken
for It's adoption or rejection thus it stands
for the present.
The Republicans wanted to tack on to the
resolution another resolution demanding an
investigation Of alleged Democratic frauds 10
Oregon, Mississippi and other States The
Democrats would not submit to this, but
would pass their proposition sepa ra,ely.-
This counter investigation willevolve great
deal Of partizan bitterness, open old sores and
damage, some will contend, good characters.
But It is not so. II they had been good men,
nothing could have induced them to participate
in the rascalities. They may have been dis
tinguished for their brain and the country
may lose their services; but is not this the in
evitsble and necessary consequence of the
crimes which have been committed? Is il not
the necessary price which the country must
pay in order that the truth of history may be
indicated, crime exposed, and protection had
against its future repetition2 No great and
good result has ever been obtained in this
world without labor, sacrifice and pain A
people who wish to preserve their liberties and
to secure their government and institutions
from corruption which, through apathy and
acquisscence, is liable TO creep in and destroy,
must be prepared to endure some trials and
anuoyapces for those purposes. The country
already has made en- ormous sacrifices Of treas
ure and OF blood to preserve the integrity o.
the Unior. Is IL too much to ask that som,
annoyance and trouble shall be suffered il
order to preserve the purity and freedom o
elections, upon which the whole fabric of con
stitutional liberty rests?
HENQY MN I'm EcnM