The New York herald., 1879-02-26
The Fight Against the Federal
Election Laws.
THEIR REPEAL VOTED IN The HOUSE.
Passage Of the Contagious Disease
Bill by the Senate.
THE POTTER INVESTIGATION.
Summary of the Chairman's
Forthcoming Report.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 1879
THE ELECTORAL INvEsTIGATIoN-CHAIRM POT.
TER's FORTHCOMING REPORT.
Mr. Potter has his report nearly ready and WILL it
is believed, present it to the House Friday Sat
urday He has been engaged for considerable time
in making thorough digest of the testimony and
it is understood that his report will take the ground
that the evidence taken shows beyond possibility
of contradiction that Florida and Louisiana were
rightfuly carried by the democrats, and that the
electoral votes of these two States cast for the
republican ticket wrongfully. illegally and fraudu-
lently; that the of the Louisiana Return
ing Board and the manner in which it con-
Quoted the scrutiny of the returns. in
most important matters in violation of the
law Of tho State under which 1t existed and acted
that its fraudulent and illegal acts open palpa
BILE and undeniable that the manner in which pro-
tests were manufactured and returns altered and
manipulated all in defiance Of the laws, and that
every stage of tho proceeding in Louisiana bears the
mark of fraud. forgery and illegality.
Further, that these offences were in some cases
furthered and in others silently approved by the
publican visiting statesmen and that the testimony
establishes that in both the States of Florida and
Louisiana, If tho Returning Board had strictly OBJ
served the laws which were intended to rule their
conduct the electoral votes Of those States must have
been for the democratic candidates. and that it
was only by the clearest and grossest violations Of
specific laws, and the most unblushing frauds and
forgerics. that the purpose of tho people and
the result of the election was defeated. Fur
ther. that the testimony proves con-
clusively the low and dcbased character Of the
men who were the chosen agents of the republicans
in Louisiana, supervisors and election officers to
manipulate the election; that almost every one of
these who had been called before the committee
stands self-convicted of perjury and various vlany,
and that while the selection of such men by
the republicans to conduct the election shows pre-
meditated fraud. and the course of the Returning
Board shows continued violation Of the plainest
provisions of law, we'll fraud and corruption.
The fact that all who have this investigation been
shown to have been concerned in this corrupt and
lawless stealing Of the vote Of the State have been
rewarded with federal Offices of varying importance
by the administration can be regarded only as con-
fesson OF secret and undue influence exercised
by these worthless persons members
of tho administration in securing pay out Of the
public treasury for their illegal and corrupt
work; that this is especially fair inference when it
Is remembered that the administration constantly
made professions of devotion to reform of the civil
service and has repeatedly asserted that only
of established character and fitness ought to be a
pointed to public Office. but has conspicuously
and unfailingly violated all its promises pledges
on this subject in it's appointments in Louisiana;
that the New Orleans Custom House and the other
federal Offices In Louisiana have been made by the
administration places Of refuge for the petty
well the prominent agents in the
election and Returning Board frauds, and that
. list Of names of prominent and obscure Office
holders will show that in no instance, SO far Is
known, has the claim Of person who was concerned
in this move been unrccognized by the benefcares
of it in the administration.
THE FEDERAL ELECTION LAws:-sUDDEN END
OF THE STRUGGLE IN THE HOUSE
The expected struggle in the House the amend
ment to the Legislative bill repeating the federal
election laws came to somewhat sudden close this
afternoon. Mr. Hale had given notice of vigorous and
prolonged opposition. When the ayes and nays were
called the republicans declined to vcte supposing
that thus there would be no quorum, but Messrs
Chitenden, Killinger and Fort voted no. and before
the result Of the roll call announced it was
discovered that it lacked but ono Of a quorum
wheroupon Speaker Randall quietly cast his vote and
the amendment was passed. Thereupon the bill was
passed. the republicans voting.
To flibuster over II would have been in any case
. nero waste of time and strength of the
House. 1t is perfectly well understood that the
majority of democratic Senator's are opposed
To the amendment and it will be voted
down when the bill gets to the Senate Tho bill will
then go to conference committee, and when It re-
turns to the House there enough democrats there
ready to support the report. which will leave this
amendment out. II is understood that the test oaths
will be repealed. the change in the manner of draw
ing jurors will be adopted and the election laws will
be left unrepealed.
srArIoNING OF TROOPS AT THE PoIIs--pEMo.
Gratis DETERMINED ON REPEATING THE LAW
PERMITTING IT.
There is still little about the clause
In the Army bill repeating the few words in the
statutes which permit troops to be kept at or near
clause but IL is hoped and expected that in confer
ence committee 1t will be again inserted and that the
Senate will not in that insist. but allow IL to
pass II IL should refuse there is general dctcr1ni
nation on the democratic sidc of the House to re-
fuse 10 pass the Army BILL and go far rs is known on
this subject the democrats will be united and firm.
THE SAN FRANCISCO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
ON THE ANTI-cHINEsE BILL
A telegram received here from San Francisco this
morning states that at tho Chamber of Commerce
meeting which urged the President to sign the Anti
Chinese bill there present less than forty
bcrs Of total membership OF 250 and the resolution
asking the President to sign the bill had even then
majority of only votes.