The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-01-09
Thurman's Reply COncerning the
Causes Of His Amendment.
WASHINGTON, Jan.

WASHINGTON. Jan. l.
Hon. II. NJ. Teller, Chairman of the Select Com
mittee of Investigation:
DEAR SIR: / have the honor to acknowl
ing a copy of the resolution adopted by your
committee requesting me to furnish, in writ
ing, such facts and such evidence as may be
in my possession touching the matter in.
volved in an amendment made on my motion
to .he resolution under which the committee
is acting. OF course the committee does
not suppose that the matters embraced
in that amendment are within my
They relate to elections In every part of the
Republic, and the allegations are for most
part to be found in the public press. In the
opening of his speech in support Of his reso-
| tinctly stated that the resolution was based on
accounts given in the press Well, the pres
has teemed with statements which, IL true,
require the Investigation proposed by my
amendment, and as have no doubt the mem
bers of the committee read the newspapers
quite as diligently as do, 1t is probable they
know where to look for sources Of informa-
tion as fully as do, and as they are charged
with the responsibility of making the inyesti-
cation, and am not, beg leave respectfully
to say that / take no part Of 1t upon my shou1-
ders. Nevertheless, as the amendment was
offered in perfect good faith, and with the
firm belief that the matters 1t embraces re-
quire investigation quite as much as the mat
ters contained in the original resolution, 1:
will be pro ,,er for me, especially since the
committee has requested 1t, to furnish such
information touching the subject as may from
time to time come under my observation. j
therefore send herewith installment No. 1,
consisting Of:
First. An editorial article cut from this
mornings Washington Post.
Second. A copy Of petition Of sixty odd
citizens of New York to the House of Repre-
sentatives complaining of the illegal and op-
pressive conduct Of John P. Davenport and
other Federal officials at the late election in
New York City; and am authorized by Hon.
Fernando Wood, who presented the petition,
to say that its statements are proved by sun
dry affidavits in his hands, and that he will, If
requested, furnish the names of the atlantis
and other witnesses to the same facts.
Third. The copy Of an opinion Of Judge
Feedman touching the rights of certain nat
uralized citizens of New York, which rights
were grossly violated by said Davenport, as set
Fourth. respectfully refer you to that por-
tion Of the speech of Senator Wallace, one OF
your number, delivered in the Senate Dec. Ia,
1873, which relates to the last election in Penn
sylvania. lSee Congressional Record Dec. Is,
page 2S.) also beg leave to refer you to the
published letter Of Hon. William d. Kelley,
of Pennsylvania, showing the means employ
ed by Federal officials aud others to defeat
his nomination and election. You have no
doubt seen the letter in the newspapers. If
not, will have a copy prepared you.
Fifth. An editoria! article from the Arg,ts
aud Patriot newspaper of Montpelier, VT,
touching the election at Bennington, in that
State.
Sixth. A copy of the Presidents civil serv.
ice order of June q, III; and as showing
what attention has been paid to 1t, and also
what means were resorted to by the Republic.
an Congressional Committee of rs, inclose
the circular of that committee, signed by
George c. Gorham, its secretary. This circu-
lar, 1t is said, was sent to nearly every person
in the civil service of the Government, and to
public contractors and others having rela-
tions with the Government. / am, very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. G. THURMAN.