The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-03-25

to Vreiuse compliance with the terms O.
that settlement, ..t
Mr.. Hill (Ga.) said there was an issue
Of fact raised hero between the Senator
! who had spoken, and very material 0ne
affecting not alone the Democratic party
, but the character OF our institutions. Il
was important thatthe real truth be stated
on this question. The charge Of revolu.
, tionary purpose made against the Dem.
oOracy by the circular which had been
read was denounced by the Senator from
Connecticut (Eaton) as false, whereupon
the Senator from Maine came 10 the rescue
Of the document and charged that there
sustain his general charge ho specifies the
Potter resolutions as having that ultOrior
meaning.
Mr.. Hill claimed that the Senator from
Maine was Incorrect In his statement, rs
was the Secretary Of the Senate In his,
and that he could produce enough fact to
bear out his charge. No portion OF the
Democratic party ever intended under
any contingency revolutionary move.
ment to the expulsion OF the President.
When tho Electoral Commission bill was
passed 1t contained q provision as follows:
SEC. 4. That nothing in this act shall
be held to impair or Affect any right now
existing under the constitution and laws
to question, by proceedings in the judicial
courts of the United States, the right or
title Of person who shall be declared
elected, or who shall claim TO be Presi.
dent or Vice President, II any such right
exist.
This is provision Of the Act OF Con.
gress establishing the Electoral Commis.
sion.
1t was embodied therein in view Of the
apprehension that the commission would,
as they in fact did, refuse 10 look in and
investigate the alleged frauds In Louisiana
and Florida, and that the result OF their
labors would be declaration Of the
claimants as President without examina.
ton into the testimony regarding the
merits of the case. 1t was adopted that
the doors might be left open in such case
to proper judicial investigation which
should bring out the facts. That there was
ground for this belief that the courts OF
the country would have jurisdiction, is
manifest from the fact that the learned
gentlemen and distinguished statesmen on
both sides OF both chambers Incorporated
tuS PAVNl5lVll III tIle I1leCtoIul NUulullSSl0u
bill reserving all righttJ reopen this Ques.
ton and have 1t investigated before the
judicial tribunals of the country. Some OF
the most able lawyers believe that BY a
proper proceeding the Supreme Court eau
get jurisdiction to investigate the ones
ton. 1t was OH that principle that the
legislature Of Maryland passed memorial
to Congress demanding that proceedings
OF this nature should be inaugurated.
Some Of the most distinguished Republi.
can lawyers OF tho country hold that il
would be perfectly proper in competent
proceeding for the supreme Court to re-
open and determine this case on its merits.
Every gentleman OF my acquaintance; eve.
ry Democrat OF the United States who
desires to investigate this question
at all, desires to do SO in the courts and
under tho encouragement and authority
OF the electoral law. Was this revolution.
ary2 Whether that proceeding before the
court should be inaugurated or not would
depend on any reliable evidence that
should be obtained In the case. There.
fore all sections Of the Democratic party
were willing TO have an investigation TO
obtain the real facts. There were Repub-
ltcans as well as Democrats in the country
who, il the facts SHOULD thoroughly estah.
lish the illegality of tho present incum.
bent to the Presidency, and il it should
appear that tho Supreme Court had au.
thority to investigate the subject, were in
favor OF such investigation.
Mr.. Hill denied that tho Democratic
party had ever announced revolutionary
purpose looking TO the expulsion of the
President 1t had never been ANNOUNCED
in the legislatures, conventions or in Com
gress. To tell the candid fact, he always
believed that gentlemen raised the cry Of
revolution to preventinvestigations.
Mr.. Blaine, in reply to portions Of Mr..
Hills speech, read from the decision Of
the Speaker OF the House at the time the
Potter resolution was introduced to show
that the investigation involved the occu-
pancy OF the Presidents chair.
Mr.. Hill inquired whether any law had
been passed subsequent 10 the Electoral
Commission which gave parties right 10
legally test the question OF the Presidency.
Mr.. Blaine replied that the entire Pot
ter resolution from its beginning to its
conclusion did not mention it
MIR. Hill said the Potter resolution was
simply to obtain testimony In relation to
subject. Would the Senator say the ap-
pointment OF committee for this pur-
pose was revolutionary?
Mr.. Blaine-The speaker stated that it
involved the rightfIl occupancy Of the
Presidential chair. Did you want the evil
dence to be obtained by Potters commit
tee to be used by the Supreme Court?
Mr.. Hill said no such thing.
Mr.. Blaine-IIow docs the Senator con-
meet the Potter Committee proceedings
with the Electoral bill? Imaintain that,
being outside OF the Electoral Commits.
sion, the resolution was plainly and gross
ly revolutionary from beginning 10 end.
Mr.. Hill l have asked question
twice, and instead OF answering mo he re.
fuses, and asks me question. My 0ucs-
ton is first in order. It Is: You charge
revolutionary purposes on the Democratic
party, and say 1t was manifested In tho ap.
pointment OF the Potter Committee. l.
asked, Do you hold that the appointment
OF the committee to make the inyestiga.
ton Is revolutionary?
Mr.. Blaine-The reason for appoint-
ment OF the Potter Committee as con-
strued by the Speaker Of the House was
revolutionary. ..
Nht' 4tiu ~ va say lIlhb tslS uppulnE7
ment OF the Committee Of Investigation by
the House is revolutionary
Mr.. Blaine-The committee as construed
by the Speaker was revolutionary,
Mr., Hills the appointment Of the
committee revolutionary?
Mr.. Blaine Don't 10 childish.
Mr.. Hill-Was your resolution for the
appoint tnent OF the TELLER Committee rev.
oldtiopary2 e
Mr.. Haine-How are We to And ont how
persons had been depriyedo Of their rights?
assume The object Of tile election bill was
that II any wrong existed there might be
a judicial remedy that contemplated only
judicial action before the court. The Dem.
ocratic party and friends Of Tildcn never
; wanted . remedy but organized a commit.