The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-05-08
ACTOR WAS
A PAGE
Member ofStanton
Company
Talks.
"REMINISCENCES
OF HIGH POLITICS
A Thespian Who Saw American
History Being Made in the
Federal Senate.

49, oSttotNs
Actor Harvey. now playing with the
Josephine Stanton Company, is, as the
following account shows, man of
experiences:
Mr.: Harvey is son of the celebrated
washington restaurateur, the man
who was and is famed among states
men and newspaper correspondents for
the excellence of his oysters, and the
States Senate in 1875 through the in
fiuence of the Rhode Island delegation
consisting of General Burnside ana
Senator Anthony
Being resident of the District of
Columbia, it was necessary that he
receive his appointment through the
of some outside dele
cation, and those two distinguished
gentlemen were kind enough to secure
him the position.
That gave him many opportunities
Tor observing men and measures
and. for one so young. he
degree. He soon became familiar with
the leading figures in national politics
at that important era, and there was
not much going that he did not catch
on to, while filling the position of
page.
THE RETURNING BOARD OF 1877
was special page for the United
States Supreme Court in 1877" said Mr.
Harvey, in the course of a reminiscent
conversation, at the time when the
momentous contest occurred after the
heated race between TiIden and HAYES.
You will remember that old Zach
Chandler, of Michigan, was the chair
man of the Louisiana returning board
and on his return to Washington ex-
pectation was on tiptoe as to what
would be the result Of the decision Of
that board. It is not generally known,
however, that General Hayes was in
Washington. and Mr.. Tilden was sound
asleep in car connected with a spe-
cial train at the Jersey City depot,
both waiting for the outcome OF that
returning board. ~
1.-THE people of Washington were ex-
cited beyond measure, and many a man
never closed his eyes for sleep on the
night of March 8, 1877. All prepara-
lions had been made for the inaugura-
ton of the President, but nobody knew
which one of the candidates would be
inaugurated. Zach Chandler and his
decision would be rendered, and not
the slightest inkling was given the
general public as to the result.
WITHOUT A PRESIDENT.
1T is not understood, except by a
few, that the country was without a
legal executive head for three mortal
hours on that fateful morning, while
Chandler and his committee were de-
liberating on the issue that would
mean so much to the peace and well
fare of a nation, and which might have
such a striking effect upon our rela-
lions with other countries.
SLOWLY and tediOuSlV the weary
hours dragged along for those who
were growing more anxious every min
ute. All sorts of rumors were af1oat,
some even going SO far as to claim
that the military would be called out,
in certain contingencies, to prevent
popular outbreak, in case the returning
board did not accord with the views
of the populace.
TT was o'clock on the morning OF
March when the decision of the
board was announced, and the hfstori-
cal 8 to z action decided that Ruther-
ident-elect of the United States of
America. In a twinkling the whole as
pect of affairs was changed, and the
jubilant Republicans yelled and shout
ed, while the disappointed Democrats
looked sullen and sour, as they watch
ed the preparations being completed
for the Inauguration of Hayes as
president of the republic.
THAT special train which carried
Samuel J. Tilden never left the depot
in Jersey City. The sage of Gramercy
Park, after having had most refresh
ing sleep, was informed of the decision
of those in power, and instead or pro-
ceeding to washington, to contest in
person the seat to which so many OF
his countrymen thought him clearly
entitled, retired to his home and rer
manned there during all the uproar
that followed.
INVESTIGATORS INVESTIGATED.
THE result of that nights work bore
fruit in the resolution of Garrison N
Potter to have an inquiry made oy
committee of Congress into the leganty
of the decision of the returning board.
Mr.. Potter was one of the New YORK
delegation. a Democrat and a warm
friend aid admirer of Mr.. Tilden. i
THE Investigation was made In 1873,
but nothing came of It. A great many
people claimed that frauds had peen
perpetrated by the Republicans, but SO
well had the returning board done it's
work that IL there was really anything
amiss 1t was never brought to light In
a manner sufficient to establish the
invalidity of the title OF presidents
Hayes to the executive seat.
81 was but boy when all those por-
tentous events were Transporting, ana
hardly appreciated their sig q =
that time. but I often look back ana
think of that dreary morning in March
when excited citizens thronged the
streets and hotel corridors, discussing
the situation, unparalleled in history
of this government. 1t is wonderful
to me that the matter was serted
without bloodshed. and it goes to show
how ingrained in the nature OF the
American citizen is the idea of submit
ting to the will of the majority the
one thing that has held ahe republic
together through SO many trying cpl
sodes.
A NATIONAL SENSATION.