The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-01-09
JUDGE THURNLAN's REPLY.

JUDGE THURMAN'S REPLY.
Abuse Of the Power of the Government at
Elections in New York. Vermont, Penn
sylvania and other Northern States.
WASHINGTON CRY, January l, 1879.
Hon. H. II. Teller, Chairman Of the Select
Committee Of Investigation:
DEAR SIR-I have the honor to &C.
knowledge the receipt of yours of the
2lst ult., enclosing copy of the rcsslu-
tion adopted by your committee request.
ing me to furnish in writing such facts
and such evidence as may be in my pos
session touching the matters involved in
the amendment made on my motion to
the resolution under which the committee
is acting. OF course the committee does
not suppose that the matters embraced in
that amendment are either my personal
knowledge or that of any one man.
They relate to the elections in every part
of the republic, and the allegations are
for the most part to be found in the pub
lie press. In opening his speech in sup
port of his resolution, December 1st,
the Senator from Maine distinctly stated
that the resolution was based on accounts
given in the press. Well, the press has
teemed with statements which, if 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 as fully as |
do, and as they are charged with the re.
sponsibility of making the investigation,
and am not, l beg leave respectfully to
say that l take no part of it upon my
shoulders. Nevertheless, as the amend
ment was offered in perfect good faith,
and with the firm belief that the matters
it embraces require investigation quite as
much as the matters contained in the
original resolution, it will be proper for
me, especially since The commission mas
requested it, to furnish such information
touching the subject as may from time to
time come under my observation.
therefore send herewith "Instalment
No. l." consisting of, first, an editorial
article cut from this mornings Wash
ington 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 ]. Davenport, and other Federal
officials, at the late election in New York
City, and | am authorized by the Hon.
Fernando Wood, who presented tue petit
ton, to say that its statements are proved
by sundry afIidaviLs in his hands, and
that he will, if requested, furnish the
names of the atIiants aud other witnesses
to the same facts; third, copy of an
opinion of Judge Freeman touching the
rights of certain naturalized citizens in
New York City, which rights were grossly
violated by said Davenport, as set forth
in said petition; fourth, l respectfully
refer you to that portion of the speech of
Senator Wallace, one of your number,
delivered in the Senate, December II,
1878, which relates to the last election in
Pennsylvania. See Congressional Record
of December is, page 2S. | also beg
leave to refer you 10 published letter Of
the Hon. VIM. D. Kelley, of Pennsyva-
MIA, showing the means employed by
Federal officials and others to defeat his
nomination and election. You have, no
doubt, seen the letter in the newspapers,
il not / will have copy procured for
you. Fifth. an editorial article from the
Argus and Patriot, newspaper, of Mont
pclier, VT, touching the election in Ben
nington in that State. Sixth, n copy of
the Presidents civil service order Of June
%, 1877, and as showing what attention
has been paid to it, and also what means
were resorted by the Republican Con-
gressional committee of 1878, enclose 4
circular of that committee, signed by
George c. Gorham, its secretary. This
circular, it is said, was sent to nearly
every person in The civil service Of the
Government, and to public contractors
and others having relations with the
Government.
am, very respectfully, your obedicnL
servant, a. u. THURMAN.