Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-01-10
Thurman's Reply Concerning the Causes
Of His Amendment.

WASHINGTON, Jan. l.
Hon.. H. N. Teller, Chairman of the Select Com
mittee of Investigation:
DEAR SIR: | have the honor to acknowl-
edge the receipt of yours of 2lst ult., inclos-
ing 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 the resolution under which the committee
is acting. OF course the committee does
not suppose that the matters embraced
in that amendment are within my
personal knowledge or that of any one man.
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-
luton, Dec. IL, the Senator from Maine dis
tinctlY 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 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 investi-
CATION, and am not, beg leave respectfully
to say that take no part of it upon my shoul-
ders. Nevertheless, as the amendment was
offered in perfect good faith, and with the
firm belief that the matters it embraces re-
quire investigation quite as much as the mat
tiers contained in the original resolution, II
will be proper for me, especially since the
committee has requested it, to furnish such
information touching the subject as may from
time to time come under my observation.
therefore send herewith installInent No. l,
consisting Of:
First. An editorial article cut from this
mornings Washington Post.
Second. A copy of petition of sixty-one
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 it's statements are proved by sun
dry atfidavits in his hands, and that he will, IL
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
forth in said petition.
Fourth. respectfully referyou to that por-
tion of the speech of Senator Wallace, one of
your number, delivered in the Senate Dec. II,
1873, which relates TO the last election in Penn
sylvania. (See Congressional Record Dec. 49,
page 2S.) | also beg leave to refer you to the
published letter Of Hon. William d. Kelley,
of Pennsylvania, showing the means employed
by Federal officials and o,ners to defeat his
nomination and election. You have no doubt
seen the letter In the newspapers. II not,
will have a copy prepared you.
Fifth. An editorial article from the Argus
aud Patriot newspaper Of Montpelier, vt,
toGching the election at Bennington, in that
State.
Sixth. A copy OF the Presidents civil serv-
ice order of June %, 1877; and as showing
what attention has been paid to II, and also
what means we're resorUed to by the Republic
an Congressional Committee of 1873, inclose
George C. Gorham, its Secretary. This circu-
lar, 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. l am, very respectful
ly your obedient servant,
A. G. THURMAN.