Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-01-10
Blaine to Teller. .

WAsHINdToN. Dec. q, 1878
Hon. II. NJ. Teller, United States Senate Chair
man Select Committed etc.
DEAR SIR: | have this morning received
your favor inclosing the following resolution
adopted by your committee, viz:
" "Resoiyed, That Hon. James G. Blaine, the
mover of the resolution, be requested TO
specify in writing the particular class of
frauds, outrages and violence committed in
the recent elections, which the committee is
expected to investigate, aud to furnish such
information and evidence as may be in his
possession, and the names of witnesses he
may wish to be examined .
1t cannot, of course, be the purpose of your
honorable committee to limit the investiga-
tion to any particular class of frauds, out
RACES and violence committed in the recent
elections that may be "specifed'' by me-
The resolution is the action of the Senate
speaking almost unanimously, and it is not
for me to say what your committee ais ex-
pected" to investigate beyond what is ex-
pressed in the resolution itself in very explicit
terms. IL would be gross assumption in me
to specify" where the Senate itself has di-
rectel. But anxious to indicate any details
that may expedite the labors of the commit
tee, will call your attention especially to the
| tissue ballot frauds in South Carolina: to the
laws of that State which made free voting i'm
possible in certain counties: to the practice
in that State of breaking up all meetings held
to oppose the Democratic party unless Demo
cratic speakers were allowed to take part in
the discussion; and to all the methods bv
which, in Sumpter and other counties, full
and free election was prevented. In Louis
lana l invite your attention to the murders in
| Tensas Parish on election day. and to the
frauds committed in the same; to the frauds
and outrages upon the ballot in the city of
New Orleans and even while | write, to the
alleged assassination of two witnesses on their
way to the United States Court to testify
against those who had robbed them of their
rights on the day of election.
could make further specification in these
two States, and In other Southern States, but
| have not time. ] am just leaving for New
England, and am compelled to postpone fuller
details until after my return. Among the
witnesses l would name are James b. Camp
bell, E. w. NJ. Mackey and G. g. Mimminger,
of South Carolina; Gov. Nichols, his agent,
Col. Zachary; Ext thief Justice Ludeling, of
Louisiana; Hon. Reuben Davis, of Mississippi !;
j. Cole Davis, of Helena, Arkansas, and the
editor of the AVdlditche, aDemocratic paper
published in Memphis, Tennessee. But beg
especially to refer you to a large mass
of valuable information in the office
tof the Attorney-Gener of the United
States already called for by the Senate, and
soon, presume, to be laid before your com
mittee. This is official in its character and,
in many cases, has the weight and value of
legal evidence, not requiring further eXami-
nation of witnesses to authenticate and con-
firm it. In Offering the resolution in the Sen
ate, | did not assume the part of public prose-
cutor, but especially declined any such service.
The invitation of your honorable committee,
however, is one that | cannot disregard, and
on the reassembling of Congress l shall from
time to time lay such facts before you, and
make such suggestions as may seem to consti-
tute full and fair compliance with all the re-
quirements of your resolution. With great
respect, your obedient servant