Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-03-13

conclusively established by proof that the
Potter Committee would gladly have ignored
entirely. It is well to notice these before the
discussion of details begins.
!. 1t is conclusvely proved, by the admis-
sions of Smith Weed in his secret dispatches
the votes in South Carolina was for the Hayes
electors. Yet it Is admitted that Mr.. Weed,
the fsvorite Lieutenant and right-hand man
of Mr.. Tilden in New York politics, tried to
secure the votes of South Carolina for Mr..
Tilden by bribery. 1t is conclusively proved
that the Board in that State was at no time
for sale, that Mr.. Weed was fooled by the
reports brought to him by person who was
anxious to get $4,000 for his services as inter-
mediary, and that w. T. Pelton, Mr.. Tilden's
nephew and confidential secretary, went to
Baltimore expecting, as he admits, to receive
and to pay over the money for the purchase.
The vote of South Carolina, then, was cast
exactly as the majority of voters intended and
desired. Democrats tried to buy its vote and
failed.
Ii. 1t is conclusively proved by the admis-
sions OF Manton Marble, in his secret tele-
grams to Grsmercy Park, that the actual re
suit in Florida depended upon the decision
made as to one precinct in Alachua county
and the return from Manatee county, there
being only about one hundred majority either
way. 1t was secretly telegrsphed by Marble
that sit would not strain Board much to
throw out" the disputed Democratic votes in
Manatee. His opinion Of the worthless char
scter of Democratic claims in that case was
confirmed by the Board, which also threw out
the disputed Republican votes in Alachu..
There is not a particle of proof that either of
the members of the Board ever was for sale.
The two Republicans were strongly con-
yinced of the justice Of their case from the
the beginning, and in every decisive action
they were sustained by the Democratic mem
Der. Marble and Woolley both transmitted
to New York propositions designed to sway
the decision BY bribery, but failed. Evidence
taken in the Congressional contest in that
State has proved beyond dispute that the Re
puDlicans were right in their claims, and that
the votes believed by them to have been cast
were actually and legally cast for Republican
electors. But the essential question is not
whether the Board may have been mistaken
in judgment; the vital fact is that it decided
according to the law as laid down by the
Democratic member, the Attorney General
and its honest convictions, and was not for
sale, although the Democratic leaders tried to
buy its decision.
Ill. 1t is conclusiyely proved, In respect to
Louisiana, that reign of terror and violence
in several parishes. caused by Democratic
crimes, had made it dangerous, if not impos-
sible, for active Republicans to bring out
their vote. Such was the terrorism that the
proper officers did not dare, for their lives, to
make formal protests Until they had escaped
from the reach Of Democratic assassins. Some
of them were afterward murdered because,
having thus escaped, they told the truth. For
the express purpose ef preventing the success
of party by such means, State law had in
trusted extraordinary and arbitrary powers to
the Canvassng Board-powers which would
neither be needed nor conferred in civilized
state. Those powers were exercised by
strong Republican partisans, and there is not
the faintest shadow of q reason for believing
tnat they required or had any other induce
ment than a sense of justice and an intense
hostility to the party of assassination and
massacre. The Democrats insist that their
assassins should have triumphed, and that
there was "Great Fraud" because massacre
was defeated by the exercise of extreme and
arbitrary powers conferred by law. The Re
publicans, on the other hand, rejoice that for
once the revolver and shotgun faile to elect
President.
~. 1t is conclusively proved that the DEM
ocrats, being defeated elsewhere, tried to OBJ
tain by bribery in Oregon vote to which
they had no shadow of claim. The offer of
money went from Mr.. TildeL's own house,
and the money itself afterwards went from
banks and bankers with whom he has close
and confidential relations, at the request of
his impecunious nephew. That attempt to
swindle the country failed, as similar attempts
had failed in South Carolina and Florida.
And now the thwarted assassins. are yelling
'Fraud" because they conld neither get the
power by murder nor by bribery.-[N. Y.
Tribune.
The Democrats of the Massachusetts legis-
latrfe are supportinQ a resolution recurring