The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-01-02
From Washington.

SENATOR THURMAN'S RESPONSE TO THE TELLER
. ~. -: - COMMITTEES. . =, fH'
WASHINGTON, January 1.-The following
explains itself: r-,.,t's."l 80. ~.
Washington City, January J., 1S79.-Io
Hon. III. NJ Teller, Chairman, Of Select Conn.,
n,ittee of Investigation: Dear Sir;-I have
the honor to acknowledge the receipt OF
yours Of the 21st ultimo enclosing a copy OF
a resolution adopted by your committee re-
questing me to furnish in writing such facts
and such evidences as may be in my posses
sion touching the matter involved in the
amendment made on my motion to the reso-.
luton under which the committee Is act
ing. OF course the committee does not
suppose that the matters embraced in that
amendment are within my personal know
ledge or that Of any one man. They relate
to. the elections in every part OF the
republic. and the allegations are 10. be
found for the most part in the pub
lie, press. In opening his speech. In
support OF his resolution december
11th) the Senator from Maine distinctly
stated that the resolution was based on ac-
counts given in the press. Well, the press
has teemcd with statements which. il true,
REQUIRE the investigation proposed by my
amendment, and as have no doubt that
the members OF the committee read the
newspapers quite as diligently as do, it is
probable they know where to look for the
sources Of information rs fully as do; and
as they are charged with the responsibility
of making the investigation and am not.
beg leave respectfully to say that / take
no part Of it upon my shoulders. Never
thelesS, as the amendment was offered in
perfect good faith, and with the firm belief
that the matters it embraced required IN
vestigation quite as much as the matters
contained in the original resolution, it
Will be proper for me, especially since
the committee has requested it, to furnish
such information touching the subject as
from time to time may come under my OBJ
seryation. I therefore send herewith in
:stalment No. l, consisting of-first, an edi-
torIal article cut from this mornings Wash
iington Post; second, a copy Of petition
of siXty-odd citizens of New York to the
House OF Representatives complaining OF the
illegal and oppressive conduct OF John j.
Davenport and other Federal officials at the
late election in New York city, and am
authorized by the Hon. Fernando Wood,
who presented the petition, to say that
lis statements are proved by sundry afida-
Wits in his hands, and that he will, il re-
quested, furnish the names OF the atlantis
anu OIuCit W NhScoCo w IaS oohiS AASso !,
third, copy of an opinion Of Judge Free
man touching the rights OF certain natural
|ized citizens Of New York, which rights
were grossly violated by said Davenport, as
set forth in said petition; fourth, ! respects
fully refer you to. that portion of the speech
OF Senator Wallace Zone OF your number)
delivered in the Senate December II, 1878,
whleho relates to the last election in
Pennsylvania fsee~ Congressional Record
!of December 18th, & page :2S). I also
beg leave to refer you to published letter
of Hon. William D. Kelly. of Pennsylya-
|nia, showing the means employed by Fed
eral officials and others to defeat bis nomi-
nation and election-you have no doubt
seen the letter in the newspapers; If not, l
will have copy procured for you; sixth,
IAN editorial article from the argus and Pa
triot newspaper, OF Montpelier, VT, touch
lin Q the election OF Bennington IN that State /;
seventh, a copy Of the Presidents clyil-ser-
vice order OF June %, 1877, and as showing
what attention has been paid to it, and also
what means were resorted to by the Repub-
Iican Congressional Committee OF 1878, |
enclose circular. Of that committee signed
by "George c. Gorham, secretary" This
circular, it is said, was sent to nearly every
person in the civil service Of the Govern
ment, and to public contractors and others
having relations with the Government. :,
/ I ann, very respectfully, your opealent
servant. ~ ~ -,%4 A. u. THURMAN.