The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-14

following members were present: w. II.
Barnum (cbsirman), William l.. Scott, w.
w. Armstrong, Abram s. Hewitt, Frede-
rich O. Prince, Ouierbridge Horsey. AIvah
w. SulIoway, and Bradley W. Smaley.
After iranSaciing considerable routine bu,i-
ness. including the auditing OF large
number OF bills, the committee issued ID G
following in response 10 inquiries:
The National Democratic Committee make
the following statement as to the sO-called
Mcrey letter:
First. Neither the committee nor any sub
committee thereof have ever taken any ac-
lion in reference 10 the letter.
Second. II was first brought TO the atten-
ton OF the chairman Of the committee on the
night before its publication in the Truth, on
the 20ih Of October.
I Third. That the chairman thereupon re-
qucsted Mr.. Smalley. member Of the CON-
mitiec, TO examine The letter, but permi,-
sion 10 do so was refused at the Office OF the
| Truth.
! Fourth. That no member OF the commit
tee ever saw the letter or any copy or pOr-
ton thereof until after its publication, or
was in any wise concerned therein or gave
any advice in reference thereto.
Fifth. That Mr.. Hart, publisher Of the
/ Truth, brought the original letter TO the
Headquarters. 1873 Fifth avenue, on the af
! ternOOn Of October Doth, where il was seen
| for the first time by any member Of the
committee, and then examined by several
members and other persons not members.
| All those who were familiar with the hand
writing OF General Garfield came TO the
conclusion that the letter was genuine.
| Sixth That the committee decided to
purchase reasonable number OF the elec-
trotype plates OF the facsimile, which had
already been prepared by the Truth.
Seventh. No denial having come from
General Garfield Of the authenticity Of the
/ letter. Notwithstanding the telcgraphic de-
mand OF the New York HerGtd and very
/ sharp leader in that paper, the committee
decided 10 give out the elecrrotype plates,
which was accordingly done. The prOpriety
OF this action was not doubted by the COM
mtteP, as the letter seemed 10 he IN strict
harmony with General Gartield's views upon
The subject, rs gathered from public records
OF undOub'ed geDuincne>s.
| Eighth. That The complete denial was not
published until four days after the original
publication in The Truth, and to thls denial,
unsupported by any other evidence, the
committee, in view OF General Gartield's
connection with other scandals, attached no
weight.
Ninth. That therefore, when evidence
was offered TO show thai Morey was q real
person and not a myth, the committee
called fOI its production, as they were
bound 10 do, in order 10 arrive at he
truth, and that If the letter had been forged
or any fraud committed in reference thereto,
or any false evidence given, it ha- been done
without the knowledge or consent OF the
committee or any member thereof.
! Finally, the committee approve of all
honest measures TO punish any or all per-
| SONS who have committed any ylOlliiOn OF
! law, and have no interest in this matter but
/ TO arrive at the truth Of the atf,ir. That
! there should be any doubt as TO the au-
/ ihcntcitv Of the letter is largely due TO the
/ failure Of the prosecution to put General
| Garfield on the stand.
| BY order of Tie Committee.
WILLIAM II. BARNUM, Chairman.
The following preamble and reso luton.
offered by Mr.. scott, was then read and
adopted:
Where's ALLEGATIONS of fraud in various
States, and especially in the State Of New
! York. have been brought to the notice OF
| the committee
! ReSOiUed. That the committee has no iu.
IisdictiOn over local violations OF election
| laws, but il is recommended TO the several
! Democ, attic committees to investigate them,
with a view to the exposure OF the yiolltoIS
/ of law and their prompt aud just punish
ment. In relation 10 duties Of the courts
or Of Congress in the premises, the commit
tee is not aud cannot be charged with any
responsibility.
After rendering vote OF thanks TO the
chairman of the committee and the officers
for off ftif n.
full manner IL which they performed their
respective duties the committee adjourned.
Mir. Fowler, chairman OF the Democratic
State Committee, who was present, said that
be thought some misappreheDsiOn had
arisen respecting the late action OF the State
Committee by tue adoption OF resolutions
suggesting action on the part OF The various
Democratic county committees III regard to
frauds on tire ballot. He says that the
resolutions were merely advisory, ana
in no sen.e directory, nor was lDere
any purpose to advise, dir ect, request, or
suggest any contest over the question OF
the form of ballots cast at the last election.
The full meaning and scope OF the res0lu-
lions was TO stimulate the attention OF the
Democratic county committees to an inyes-
tigalion Of the frauds, and where they should
be found TO exist. The course to be taken
in regard TO them was TO be left TO the OPP
,, ton Of each Of the county committees. tor
convenience, however, and to facilitate
uniformity OF action in cases where pro-
ceedings might he taken before the boards OF
county canva scrs, a blank form OF protest
was sent out, but nothing in this blank indl-
ca led the nature OF the wrong to be protest
ed against. In his judgment the State Com
mittee cannot act in such matters as come
I'D through the medium OF these blank
protests until the work OF aggregatinS the
county returns is begun by the State Board
OF Canyassers. Whether The State Commit
tee will then appear and give support to tue
protests which have been presented in va
r;ous counties, or let the matter go by de-
fault, he does not yet know. There is no
expectation that the county committees Will
formally report their action to the State
Committee, and il is entirely optional with
! them to do 80 or not.
JUDGE DAvls's DECISION.
| NEW YORK, November I3.-Judge Davis
this morning rendered an elaborate decision
in the case Of Kenward Philip. The ac-
cused, his Honor says, is charged with two
offences. First, that he wrote the So.cailed
MOrey letter. ccunterieiling the signature
OF Garfield thereto; and second, that after
Garfield made public the denial OF having
written the letter the accused wrote an edi-
torial headed "Lying and Sticking to IT,"
and asserted that Gal field was liar in de-
nying the authorship.
alt is apparent" his Honor says, q" that
no such person as Henry l.. MOrey ever eX-
listed at Lynn, Mass" The letter. he also
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