The New York Herald Newspaper, January 22, 1879, Page 4

The Cipher Despatches To Be Investigated. hte neaeaintnes LIVELY DEBATE IN THE HOUSE. Apparent Rise in Tilden Stock Reported. S BEFORE CONGRESS. poe Js How an EPixtra Session May Be Made Necessary. FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. WAsnINeTox, Jan, 21, 1879, THE CIPHER DESPATCHES-—CHARACTER O& THE DEBATE IN THE HOUSE, ‘The House to-day ordered the Potter Committee to juvestiyate cipher despatches, The debate was bvief and of little moment, General Butler made the only important speech of the day. He opposed the investigetion as beyond the rightful power of Congress, because it had not for its ob- ject the panishment of wrongdoing: because the inquiry, was likely to turn into a “smut” ma- chine; because the persons against whom offences were alleged were not officials, but private citizens, ani be the resolution does not allege that any influence was used to affect votes. He said the object of adeimoeratic faction was to destroy a democratic Prosidential candidate, and turning to the repub- licans * he — addi “It it shall prove that + republican ate Committee, having had she despatches, the republican despatches were de- stroyed, iow will that look?” He gave 4 curious ace tount of the wey in whieh the despatches were handled, All the political despatches of both parties, he vaid, were delivered to the Senate committee. They examined them in part; the Senate adjourned before the examination was coinpleted; the chatr- man of the comtiittee died; the despatelies were suifere’ to lie about loose; whoever came could help himself. He found a handle of despatches on his table, which he had never examined, and no one else haa, At this rate it would seem that the investigation wiight yet bring out fresh matter if there were time for it, and Geyerel Butler's reinarks gave importance to Mr. Hewitt’s hint, in his speech Jater on, that some of the republican despatchos were not destroyed, aud might come before the committee, The republicans pretended to lay the blame of clay in the investigation upon the democrats, but the plain truth is that they have been very desirous there should Ve no investigation, partly because they etaud very well without, and partly because they cre not certain what an effective inquiry might develop against. them. “Mr. Howitt demanded the fullest investigation, declared that no despatch suggesting wrong had ever Deon traced to any person officially connected with the canvass or election, and asserted that the republi- cans had attempted to cover Mr. Tilden with their calumnies in order to hide their own wrongful seizure of the Presidtncy. le must be said that Mr, Howitt’s earnest vindica- tion of Mr. Tilden did not interest the democrats, who dropped out of their seats. while he spoke, until that side of the House was half emptied. Finally, after a narrow escape trom a prolonged and useless discussion, the House decided almost unanimously that the mquiry should proceed, Curiously enough, on the passage of the resolution there was an ap- parent rise in Tilden stock here, It is understood here that he has all along urged his friends here to a full ivvestigation. The committee will meet at eloven o'clock to-morrow. Congress has but thirty-five working days, exelnd- ing Sundays, loft, and it has still a large amount of unfinished but necessary business before it. Of course investigations can go on in committee rooms while other business is transacted in the houses, but | very little time is left for the examination of wit- nesses, and as all unfinishel business falls with the expiration of Congress on the 4th of March the chunces are that the cipher investigation will not’ amount to much. BUSINESS BEFORE CONGRESS—-IMMENSE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT MUST FALL. Of the eleven regular appropriation bills only one has so far become a law, the West Point bill. The Pension bill has substantially passed, the Fortifica- tion and Consular and Diplomatic bills have passed the houses and are before the conference commit- fees; the Indian and” Naval bills have passed the House but linger in the Senate; the Post Office, Army, Legislative, Executive and Judicial, River and Harbor, and Sundry Civil bilis and the General Deficiency bills are still in tho Honse committees, but all in @ state of forwarduess, though all have yet to be dis- cussed in both houses and to be finally completed in the usual conference committees in which the Senate imposes its will in regard to appropriations on the House, and generally forces a large increase of the expenditures, With this condition of business and the two houses of «different political complexions, therg is cause for the apprehension felt in some quarters lest an extra session may be precipitated on the country, So far neither party shows openly any desire for a call of the Forty-sixth Congress, but it is undoubtedly in the power of either side to make it necessary, by only triting delays in the necessary business, As for the multitude of other meagures before the House, many of them of importance, it is difficult to #eo how more than three or four are going to become laws, though on many of them committees have Spent much patient labor, The Census bill comes under the head of necessary iegislation, and will probably pass. ‘The Geneva Award bill is before the Senate, and will probably fail, There i¢ no likelihood now of legiilation to amend the sugar duties. The tobacco tax is before the Senate committee and will hardly yet any further, The Reagan Interstate Com- merce bill is before a Senate committee und will reet there, ‘The bill making silver dollars interchangeable for gold or greenbacks will not get out of the House Bonking and Currency Committee. The Mississippi Levee bill will fail as a separate measure. The important legislation proposed to amend the patent laws, which has been discussed at some length in the Senate, has no hope of gotting through both houses, The Electoral bill is hope- less. Lestdes these there are the Pacifle Railroad Commissioners’ bill, @ measure of importance to the government's interest; the Texas Bacific bill; the * Burnside Army bill; the transfer of the Indian Bu- toau; the bill for the reclassification of mail matter; u bill restricting Chinese immigration; another re- turning money to Japan; some important fey ‘on regarding ocean telegraph Mines; the movement to abrogate the Fishery treaty and the reports of varions committees, the Hewitt Labor Committee, the Potter Committee, the Yellow Fever Committee, the Quarantine Report, the Davenport Inquiry, the Robeson Investigation, the Seward Investigation and the Teller Committee. Moreover, the House has still four contested election pases unsettled, and there are four sets of enlogics of deceased members to be dolivered— Messrs. Douglass, Kehleicher, Hortridge and Williams—ench of which lsually consumes an afternoon, FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. Wasetxeton, Jan 21, 1879, THE TODACCO TAX ALLEGED JOB IN THR IN- TEREST OF A PATENT. ‘The legislation affecting the tax on tobacco is likely to fai) with the many other matters which will be ignored in the closing weeks of the session, when the appropriation bilis will oceupy Con- ereas to the exclusion of almost everything else. ‘There has been ® considerable lobby here tutil recently advocating titis legisla Ww NEW YOR K HERALD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 99 my tion, and its gradual disappearance is regarded as a confession of defeat. The working of the present tax has given great diseatis/action, and it is instanced as a signal illustration of this fet that the Messrs, Lorillard have joined the ranks of those who are in favor of a lower rate on manufactured tobacco, ; fhe proposition to tax cigars by ihe im- | position of @ tag, or, as it. is technically known, an “etiquette,” rolled around each, is assailed with the charge job and is offered in the interest of a patent inven- tion which slides these papers on expeditiously, It | is estimated that tho affixing of this etiquette, or | ticket, to each cigar would add six millions to the cost of the production of the cigars consumed annu- ally in the country, The cigar dealers claim that as the Internal Revenue Bureau collects ninety-six per cent of the possible maximum revenue from this article the present system of taxation is as perfect as it can reasonably be male. RENT FOR BATTLE GROUNDS IN PENNSYLVANIA—~ LARGE EXPENSE TO NO PURPOSE, A good deal of adverse criticism has been provoked by the action of a Pennsylvania member, who yester+ day introduced about forty bills identically the same, and differing only inthe name of the beneficiary to | be assisted by their provisions. In each case the bil grants reut for the use of land occu- pied during the defence of Pennsylvania in 15M by the United States troops. All the forty odd per- sous could have bee named in one dill, As it is the valuable time of the House was taken up with tho reading of the titles of the bills, and a heavy expense for printing will be incurred, as, under the rnies, 750 copies of each must be struck off for the files, making 30,000 copies in all. Furthermore, the | pits have utterly no chance of being passed; but | theprinted gopy of each wil! do to send home, and | so assist the demagogical plans of their sponsor, sienna | GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasuinaton, Jan. 21, 1879, THE NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL. IN THE SENATE, The Naval Appropriation bill came up for consid- eration in the Senate to-day, and in explanation of | the bill Mr, Windom said as it passed the Honse it appropriated $14,018,463 95. ‘The total amount of estimates was $14,187,381 45. The appropriations of the navy for the present fiscal year were $14,152,603 70, ‘The Senate Committee on Appropriations added to the House bill $86,500, making the total of the bill as | reported to the Senate $14,104,968 95. The items of increase made by the Senate committee were as fol- lows:-— e stamps. For clot ing ad Bedding destroyed For gratuities and medals......-.. was For repairs to the dome for the telescope at the Observatory... ae For changes in controlling derricks, & For provisions and clothing, water | for ships, &C...-..00+ Lae aoe eae For the purchase of a testing machine and contingencies........ shiv ete ry blbin gh ‘Total... = $86,500 The House appropriated $1,025,000 for the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing, and the Senate Commit- tee increased the amount to $1,100,000, All the amendments reported by the committee above mentioned were agreed to without debate. Mr. Whyte, of Maryland, submitted an amendment to increase the pay of the plumber at the Naval Academy from $2 to $3 per day, and Mr, Allison, of Iowa, submitted an amnendment grading the assistant astronomers at the Naval Observetory at $1,500, $1,700 ana $2,100 per annum, according to the length of term of service, but they were ruled out on points of order that they increased the appropriation. Mr. Windom ssid the Senator from Maine (Mr. Blaine) desired to address the Senate on this bill, but was not prepared to go on to-day. The bill was, therefore, laid aside until to-morrow. Mr. Blaine then gave notice of the following amendments to the bill which he would offer: — That a board of three. naval officers from either the active or the retired jist be appointed by the President, whose duty it shall be to consider and report to the next session of Congress the number of officers, ime, staff and warrant, needed tor a navy with 7,500 men, and that until hereufter directed by law Satan in the navy above the grade of ensign shail cease, And further, that the same Board of Officers shall consider and report whether any of the,present navy yards may be dis pensed with, and whether in any other way the expenses of the naval establishment may be decreased without impairing its eflciency; \also, that from and after July 1, 1883, only such a number of the graduates of the United States Naval Academy in any one year shall be entitled to appointment as midshipmen in the navy as are required to fill vacan- cies, to be determined by the Academic Board on the basis of their standing in the graduating class; and if the number of midshipmen shall not have been Reve fixed and limited by law it shall be the uty of the Secretary to so fix and limit it on or before July 1, 1883. It was ordered that they be printed. ARREARS OF PENSIONS BIT1.—AMOU! NECESSARY TO CARRY IT INTO EFFECT. At the Cabinet session to-day the bill for the pay, ment of arrears of pensions which hag recently passed Congress was under discussion. The ques- tion was not as to whether the bill should be ap- proved or signed, but as to the results of its being carried out. Secretary Sherman and Secretary Schurz both made statements as to the amount it was estimated the bill would call = for. Secretary Sherman placed the figures at about $150,000,000, and said if that amount should go out of the Treasury it would create a de- ficit. Secretary Schurz’s estimate, which was from Commissioner of Pensions bentley, differed consid- erably from that of the Treasury Department. It stated the amount that would have to be pata out under the bill at $50,000,000, There was no discus- sion as to how the bill should be dealt with, AMERICAN REGISTRY FOR FOREIGN BUILT SHIPS—ARGUMENTS DEFORE THE HOUSE COM- MERCE COMMITTEE--AN INDEFINITA POsT- PONEMENT OF THE BILL ANTICIPATED. The House Committee on Commerce to-day heard additional arguinents on the bill proposing to amend the navigation laws so as to authorize the issuance of American registers to foreign built ships pur- 75,000 4,000 chased by American citizens, being ad- dressel by ex-Representative John Lynch, ot Maine, and Representative Ward, of Pennayl- vania, The lattery in the course of bis remarks, said it was understood that Glasgow was, perhaps, the greatest rival of the United States in iron ship- building, and he desired to, call the attention of the committeo to the relative rates of wages paid by Glasgow shipbuilders aud those paid by shipbuilders in the United States, xo that it might be even with whom we have to compete in the matter of wages. According to a table prepared in 1872, in Wilmington, Del., and other shipyards, and in Massachusetts, the wages to ship carpenters ren from $16 to #21 week, aud the relative proportions were still kept ups In Glasgow the wages of that class of work- men were from $8 71 to $10 16a week. In Delaware and Massachusetts blacksmiths from $13 to $14 67 week, while in Glasgow the wages are from $8 71 to $9 43a week. Boiler makers in Delaware and Masga- eltusetts from $12 to $13 50 & week; in Glasgow trom $7 2% to $8 TL ® week. Laborers in Wilming- | ton and Massachusetts from $7 50 to $10 67; in Glasgow from $4 90 to $5 57. The average pay of the classes of workmen mentioned is in Glasgow 25s., or $6 53 in gold in our currency. Mr, Ward also read from the document to show that home, as known to American mechanics, was unknown to mechanics in Glasgow, twenty or thirty families there, in some instances, living in one tenement house. Certainly, he said, this Committee would do nothing that would tend to reduce our mechanics to @ similar condition, and he ex- pressed the hope that the committee would see that it was beat for the interests of the country that the bill should be Inid aside and not be held wp as 4 dis- turbing element, When Representative Reagan, chairman of the committee, said they would now hear argument in favor of the bill, no one responded. ‘The committee will take action on the bill next Friday, when there is reason to believe they will «| recommend to the House that its consideration be indefinitely postponed, FIVE-TWENTLEB—-KIGHTY-THIRD CALE DEMPTION. ‘The Seoretary of the Treasury this afternoon issued the eighty-third call for the redemption of five- twenty bends of 1865 and console of 1867, The call is for $20,000,000, of which $10,000,000 afe conpons and $10,000,000 are registered bonds. The principal and interest will be paid ut tie Treasury on and FOR RE- that it is aj} | after the 2iet day of April nest, an@ the interest will | cease on that day. Potlowing are descriptions of the bonds:— Coupon bonds dated July 1, 1867, namely :— $50, No, 46,001 to No. 55,000, both inelusive. 3100, No, 60,091 to 70,000, both inclusive, (0, 46,001 to No, 56,000, both inelusive, ), No. 40,00) to No. 73,000, both inclusive, ‘Total coupon, $10,000,000, Registered bonds “redeemable at the pleasure of follows:-~ $50, No. 1,926 to No, 2,270, both inclusive. $100, 18,851 to No. 16,400, both inclusive, $500, No. 7,251 to No. 9,390, both ineluaive, $1,000, No, 27,751 to No, 31,900, both inclusive, $5,000, No. 8,151 to No. 8,300, both inclusive. $10,900, No. 13,251 to No, 15,400, both inclusive, ‘Total registered, $10,000,000, Aguregate, $20,000,000. THE CIPHER DESPATCHES. DEPATE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES-— ME, POTTER IN EXPLANATION AND DEFENCE OF HIS ACTION—-GENEBLAL BUTLER IN OPPOSI- TION TO THE INVESTIGATION, Wasutnaton, Jan, 21, 1879, Immediately after the reading of the journal, which occupied an hour, My, Porren, (dem.) of N. ¥., called up for action the resolution presented by him yesterday, directing the Committee on the Investiga- tion of Election Frauds to inquire into the ‘cipher despatches,” and appropriating $10,000 to defray the expenses of such inquiry. He yielded, however, for some preliminary matters, as follows:— Mr. Cox, (em,) of N. ¥,, from the Committee on the Library, reported back the Senate bill to author. ize the Chancellor of the Smithsonian Institution to appoint an acting secretary in certain cases, Passed, Mr, Srrriess, (dem.) of Ga,, from the Committee on Coinage, introduced a bill to authorize the coinage of the goloid metric dollar, $5 and fractions of a @ollar, Referred, Mr. Gavse, (dem.) of Ark., from the Committee on Public Lands, reported back the Senate amendments to the House bill subjecting the Fort Wayne military reservation in Arkausas to entry, Concurred iu, The House then proceeded to the consideration of the cipher despatehes resolution. SPEECH OF MR. POTTER, Mr. Porrer moved the previous question, which was seconded, and the main question was ordered, thus leaving one hour for the discussion, which was thereupon opened by Mr. Potter, who said:— Mr. Speaker—I offered this resolution because I was instructed to offer it. Ido not propose to dis- cuss it except to say a few words in reply to an attack made on me by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conger). Iwas not in the House at the time, and when the gentlemsn’s attention was called to that fact he stated that I had left the House to avoid hear- ing him. If the gentleman thought so he was mis- taken, Ithink I listen tothe sprightly and amiable utterances of the gentleman from Michigan with as much satisfaction as any gentleman in this Honse, but it is not possible for » man to be always in his seat, and the gentleman ought not to infer from my ab- sence that I had any disinclination to hear him. Had he informed me that he proposed to refer to the cipher despatches I should certeinly, at whatever in- convenience, have remained, because I could then have better said, in regard to this resolution, what I am about to say now. But as he bad risen many times that day it was impossible for me to divine that when he rose he intended to discuss that subject. The gentleman accused me because I had not permitted an investigation of these despatches. Mr. Speaker, it is as open to the gentleman trom Michigan, and has been ever since this session of Congress assemblea, and to every member of the House, as it is to myself, to propose such an inves- tigation. He did not propose it. No one on that side of the House proposed it—and for reasons which perhaps it is not difficult to divine— but at any rate for reasons sutisfactowy to them- selves. No gentleman on this side of the House had proposed it, and the gentlemen from Michigan said thut I had not permitted them to do 40, Mg Speal I neither had power to prevent them nor ha sought to prevent them. The only wish I had ex- pressed on the subject was that if such a resolution wus introduced it might be referred to another com- mittee than that of which Iwas a member. But I either sougit to influence anybody nor to prevent any one from action in respect to it. ‘THE ACTION LAST SESSION. simply refused to volunteer to introduce such a resolution myselt, and for these reasons:—At the last session of Congress I introduced a, reso- lution for a committee to inquire’ into certain alleged and confessed wrongs in Florida and Louisiana which had taken place under color of State law, and which were said to have been perpetrated under the influence of federal visitors and under the protection of federal troops, and which wrongs the Electoral Commission had Gecided it was impossible for the States to rectify or recall, Such a matter was a proper subject for Con- gressional legislation, for if+Congress contd not cor- rect the wrong which had taken piace in the States themselves it conld at least adopt such legislation as would afford those States an opportunity to correct aud recall the action taken under color of their law. It was, therefore, a proper subject for investigation, and when { introduced that resolution I declined to yield to an amendment which the gentleman from Maine ‘Mr. Hale) dexired to offer, proposing an in- quiry into certain cipher despatches in Oregon, Devanse I insisted that it was not within the province of Congress to inquire into the individual wrong of Lm 4 citizen which it could neither prevent nor punish, and that at any rate this investigatian ought not to be bates es ca by such an inguiry, Idid not then suspect the existence of the despatches which have been since published, but the analogy be- tween those despatches and those which the gentle- aman from Maine ove to have inquired jato is per- fect, and the House having sustained me in my view ‘of the question, it was not for ine now to feck to set on foot myvelf an investigation of the kind nor to prevent the completion of the work which I had in hand by any such inquiry. PRESONAL BEASONS. Beyond that, Mr. 5; er, there were private personal reasons why I did not think 1 ougnt to set on foot any such investigation. ‘he House may recollect that when introduced the resolution of inquiry the leading mdependent journal of the country declared that [did so in pur- suance of a bargain between Governor Tilden and myself, in which { was to have his support. There are gentlemen in this chamber now who know that when I was called upon on the gvening previous to the introduction of that resolution to wait ypon the ss comunittee in democratic caucus, I was abso- utely ignoraut that I had been selected for that work, and I had no more reason to suspect that I would be connected with it than any other gentle- man in the House, The truth is that, not only did Lhave no with Governor Tildeu, but 1 hud none with anybody else, I served on that committee simply because I was invited to serve by the joint committee of the democratic caucus, and because in 1875, a8 9 member of a committee of this House, L visited Louisiana and had very profound conyictions he danger and of the wrong of the Returning FALSE REPORTS, L served therefore on these accounts, and on these alone, and 1 not only had no underst or bar- gain with anybody on the face of the but I sought for no promise or assurances, and I had And yet, Mr. Bs gyno thut conjecture has gone all over the Unit States, and nine-tenths of the people who have any opinion at ail on the suby ject believe that I am a member of the committee of invest as the contidant and agent of Gov- ernor Ti . Beyond that, aithough I had en- ored to conduct the investigation with absolu ty and fairness (so much so that Ido not believe that anybody familar with the record wiil rise to claim that such has not been the fact), and though during all that time I have observed the most absolute reticence in respect to the objects and pur pores of the cpminittee, yot there has been no un- worthy and ‘partisan speech that hes not been falsely put into my mouth, and no mean or outrageous suggestion in the con- duct of the committee that has not been wttributed to me, Under such cireumpstances for me to yoluateer an investigation into these cipher de- spatches was to give color to have it said that I wae doing #0 my med fa tel 3. Long hed her Ly gee protucting and whitewashing thore whom it t affect, Aud beyond that, sir, there are ii ate some persons who believe thet I or my have cause of grievance against Mr. Tilden, and who, if I volunteered any movement of the kind, would ascribe my action to al dislike and spite, If gentlemen ‘ill look at the New York Tribune ct Saturday woek they will see it declared that the probable cause of this resolution is the object of personally injuring Mr. Tilden. For those reasons, sir, I did not feel called upow to volunteer any action on this sibject, 1 have not volunteered it, and I introduce the resolution which 1 do because, without ine A: or request of mine, I have been instructed to do po, and I do it for no other reasons. In conclusion Mr, Potter went over the items of the 3 of the committee, showing the manner in wn ich the $20,000 already appropriated had been ta SPRRCH OF MR. BUTEA, Mr. Borner, (rep.) of Mass i He swid:—1 have sought the ear of jog befe i the reasons that will in- nly vore on this vesolution, Let them avail or as little as they will i have in this matter ither friends to rew nor enemies to pun- I look w it Ws & question of very maidorable yravity as furnishing @ precedent here- aiter, The resolution alleges that there are certain cipher despatches Which are supposed to show that tifere was au attempt by (raud or bribery to infinence the electoral vote of Florida, Oregon and South Carolina, The resolution does not allege that there is ony evidence oxpected to show that any vote was influenced by those aitacks, Then we have this case betore us. We are brought to investigute the acts of private citizens which were or witch were not crimes at the time they were done. lt they were crimes the law will punish them; if they were not criines We cau muko uo ex post fucto ned the floor. Mouse for the the United States after the Ist day of July, 1872," as | law that will reach them, and whatever was done re- | quires no logiaatiee remedy and no legislative action. Woe all know that bribery an frand in clec- tions can be punished, and we need no set of invon- tions of any set of men to frame a law for that pur- ba Therefore there is absolutely no ground of jurisdiction in this House to do what it is it shall do. ‘The only grouad on which the Uouse at as a eee eke Hones whether by telegram or jours requires the ee in order to get legislative action, There can be no sehen greny under heaven, T submit to the lawyers of the House—yea, to the good sense of evary meniber of the House—whereon we ca, found our rights to put our hands on the act of any private man or the correspondence of any private man, is a private man for this purpose who docs not hold an official United States position.) Now, without jurisdiction, whae is expected from these cipher despatches * “NONE OF OUR BUSINESS,"* It is expected that somebody will either be vindi- cated or be snubbed—one or the other—and it is abso- Antely none of our business to do either, and, above all, uot to take the public money for that Lp gare Never mind how high in part; tions any private citizen may stand; never mind how it may ativot any party or auy man, this is absolutely beyond our reach, ought to be beyond our reaech, And, above all, we should not take the pub- le money to gratity the prurient curiosity for scandal of anybody in the House or out of it. And that is what we propose to do. It is supposed that a part of these despatches have beon published. I have no doubt that supposed copies of them may have been published, but of that Ihave no knowledge. But whatever they may be, whatever has been pub- lished, better let it take its place (for the honor ot the uation) smong, the emanustions of the sensational journalism of the day, rather than have it put upon the public records of the Congress of the United States as’ a disgrace to the — nation. A nation and its members should be like a family: never, never investigate the private seandals of a tamily unless there is divorce sought for on one side or the other—(laughter)—arid unless it ts necessary tor the purpose of justice. And so where there is no earthly advantaye te be reached or gained except to exhibit to the world the triction of the working of republican institutions aud to bring them into con- tempt, had we not better wall ward with cloak over our shoulders and throw the mantle over what ought not to be seen? HOW THEY GOT OUT. Much has been said about these despatches. Very wrong intimations have been made againxt a com- pany tor which Ehave no particular Jove (the West orn’ Union ‘Telegraph Company) of something wrong done on its part, ‘It is but due to that company that. 1 should furnish to the House und the country the origin end ex- istence of those des) hes outside of its oflice—as they now exist outside of its office. When the Sen- ate Of the United States ordered an investigation iuto some portions of this matter, in the winter of 1976-77, a subpana duces tecum was served on that mpany, and atter the company made so much re- tance as that the whole Executive Committee was called under a subpena to produce the cipher de- spatehes and other telegrams, and they were deliv- ered over to a committee of the Senate. That com- inittee examine? @ portion of them and published the results of its examination, qucad Oregon, I believe. But before it tinished the Senate adjourned, the Chair- man of the committee died, the cipher despatches were suffered to lie around Joose (perhaps that would be the best phrase) and everybody dealt with them apparently as he chose to deal with them, The com- pany having lost jurisdiction over them did not, and probably could not, resume it. Theretore it you go into the investigation of these cipher desputches it will be but a fragmentary investigation. . DESPATLHES IN BUTLER'S POSSESSION, Ido not kuow what is in the bundle of despatches which Lfound on my tabie at the beginning of the sessions of this cominittee, because they never have been examined. And here allow me to say. paren- thetically that no one of them hes been ever seen or read or copied by mortal men since they canie into my hands tor the purpose of public disclosure, nor have py, been im any way publicly | dis- closed, say they are oniy fragmentary, and you will not get the despatghes of both sides or all the despatches of one side. Twas not present when the investigation of these despatches was promoted in the committee, but I am told by the newspapers that the republican gentlemen on the comunittee did not demand or desire or take uction upon it, and that it was the action of the majority ot our friends on the other side, Vheretore it is not promoted, I understand, in the interests of the republican party, Lcannot con- ceive how it should be promoted in the interests of .the democratic party: (Laughter.) What faction in that party desires to destroy a Presidential candidate? (Loud laughter.) The great result to be gained is to stir up something which had better not be seen, felt or smelled, (Laughter.) That is all, That is all that we are going to gain and for which we are going to spend the public money. If you want to spend it give that $10,000 to the families of the poor working- men. (Loud laughter and applause.) BETTER WORK ON HAND. = Now let me say a word curther upon this matter, and but one word, tor L have given the reasons which will Influence my vote, I sha!l vote against it as a precedent, and Ihave simply desired opportunity to put on record my protest, so that hereafter if any- body shall read about this matter he shall say:— “Well, ut least, there was one mun in @ position to deal with the question asa lawyer, as 4 judge, as a member of Congress, and who was in such a position ‘as not to be influenced by any purty prejuvice or purty leaning one way or the other.” (General laughter.) And now let me say to you, Mr. Speaker and momoers of the House, we have got only*thirty odd working days bofore us, with the business of the country disordered, its commerce on the seas broken up, its industries paralyzed, its tariff unrevised, its system of nutioual improve- ments not cared for. And do you not think we have grander and nobler objects to’ contémplate in the re- maining hours or our official lite than stirring up private scandal or private wrong of private indi- viduals which did not sueceed? If the fraud wt- tempted had succeeded in putting any man into the chair ot the Presidency, that, { think, would havo been a proper matier to investigate. But us it did not succeed, whoever attempted it took his labor tor his pains, and has taken notuing by his motion, and we have no business with that nothing which he took. REMARKS OF MR. TALK. Mr, HaLx, (rep.) of Me., reminded the House of his effort last session to have an inquiry into the very same subject matter now proposed to be in- quired into, aud how that effort had Leen resisted by the other side of the Honse. He had said then (rep- resenting hig party friends) that the inquiry must made ample and broad. ‘The committee (he said) en- tered on its duties aud took ap one tale atter another which were presented to it by responsible or by irresponsible persons. It went to oue state after another in search of information. It arraigned atter & most serious /ashion a distinguished citizen of the Republic—the Secretary of the ‘Treasury —and followed that clew until it ended, as everybody admits, in exposure. At last, after certain cipher despatches that had been construed. by a key indubitably correct had been put on the phblic market by & leading aud enterprising newspaper of New York, this committee felt itself confronted with the very question which it had declined to act upon, and after two months’ have passed at the demand of pubviic sentiment, and not being willing, I assume, to remain longer in the position of refusing ‘investigation. It has, at jeast, through its chairman, presented the pee. that the investigation shall be made oud and large. I for one have changed not a point in my position, Ido not understand that my party triends here about me have changed. We feel that, as this machinery has been put in motion, itshould now be permitted to go on, aud that it shall make inves- tigation into the one ‘side as well as into the other, Tcare nothing for the reasons that have been urged at this stage by the g@utleman trom Massachusetts. Originally, when we were ou the threshold of this ie vie teas antes have had force, but to- with me we no-force. Y sus ratuat oteat out. If there are any other despatches which the enten- prise of a New York journal hee not tound out, and which have not been presented to Cop dag to) let this committee dig and delve till they brought to ht. If there has been by any hands a single paper bearing on this subject matter in any State, that has been tor any partisan purpose destroyed (which I do not believe), then let this committee never rest, day or night, until the agg pa who have for any such purpose destroyed the uespatches are brougyt betore the committee und the Houne, +Let them omit nothing in their inquiry that shall go to show the whole transaction between the time ot the election and the time of the inauguration clearly, fully and explicitly, Euough has been shown Ly to indicate un to the public mind the exist- ence of a conspiracy whicly ought to be brought out. MR. HALE SARCASTIC, 1 have also some personal sympathies in the matter. Ido not want this committee to deal during all the duration of its local life in fallacies and explos- jons, orto rummage around among the Jonkses, or tho Webers, or the uk. Let ii take to itself wome subject where the parties interested are of reputation enough to dignity aud ennoble its report. I have vome little sympathy also (satirically) for that simple hearted man of New York, who by un- fortunate triendy was taken from his business ond his privacy and thrust upon the coun- try as a Presidential candi laughter on the republican side)--who. became .the apostic of retorm, the embodiment of all that element which has since shed its light over the country; who ducing the canvass notably sud notoriously re- frained from participation in it and in his closet awaits the verdict ot the American peovle, taking no hend or part in that notable campaign. He has found Limeelt surrounded with alleged iriends contederates and relatives and coparceucrs aud nephews, who have attempted to force him on the American people after he was defeated, and who have attempted to purchase (as the despatches indicate) electoral colleges or canvassing bourds. The simple hearted old gentleman bas had no pepereanity to come in betore us or any comimittcs and picture (as he alone can picture) the character of the men close about hia endeavored to blast hin uta his correct lie and to thrust iw House by prac doubt, ho will come here and conde: their tramers and projectors to prove ag: t would not mixs—I would not have him iiss the op- eae, of being allowed to do that, With the ten- jor personal sympathies which my friend from Mus- sachnsetis (Mr. Butler) bas, I know that when this appeal is made to him (tht this ovportuuity be given) he will withdraw his objection and thet there will be unanimous consent that this inquiry may yo on, that justice may be done and that personal yin- dication may be made. SURYOM OF MR. CONGER, Mr. Coxaxn, (rep.) of Mich, obtained the floor for six minutes, f je rail Mr, Speaker, 1 expected and believed for many mouths that soine means would be employed wud 1879--TRIPLE SHEET. some measures taken to prevent the investigation of i the cipher despatches. In common with shmost the ; satire ot the American oo It read the ex- { | = poe New York journal. Tho trans. { of those anysterious, Israelitish tele- gu with Moses, Adoniram and Zobdicl and all } host, and my love of Scriptural history makes | Jue denise that translations shall be verified and jodi enlightened, The country was area Wi revelations, trom the old man | as he heard his children reed the despatches and it nalations, and theexposures which startled his old worn weary heart wath iudignati: at therr schools, If those despatches were true and | were truly translated, and it they were connected, us | is alle, with a prominent citizen of the United | States who was thought worthy to be the Chief Magis- | trate of this great Kepublic, if feet rere spoken for him and sent for him, through his intimate friends, through the members of his household, t! a his near neighbors, who dwelt on either side of him anid the plants and of Gramevey Park, the connie wanted to know about it, I will venture to there is not a member of the House who did not believe for weeks before he came here at this session that on the frst opportunity, with a haste which could not be repressed, ; the xentleman from New York (Mr. Pott or, if not he, a dozen of others, would spring to his fect ut the first moment when it would be permitted by the rules of the House, and almost in violation of tie yy Eevee in his oageraas to satisty the jemand 0} arican le to offer a resolu- tion of investigation. Sy fren on this side of the House, when we met and when a day passed, won- dered what eye had falten upon the fleree demo- cracy, and theu the next day passed and another; and in our little secret wks among ourselves wo were tiven up to wild conjecturing’as to the meaning of unis sepulchral silence’on the part of vast body 0: the investigating democracy of — this House—(laughter)—and we wondered and wondered aud were amazed; aud as days and weeks passed and no voice alluded to the subject, we sat here silently awaiting, awaiting with slmost irrepressi- ble impatience, and we were constantly pen one another to wait and let the demvcracy have t! jonor of developing great enormities. We kept onr- selves quict for two or three weeks without allusion to them. The gentleman from New York (Potter) suys that I or any other gentleman might havo intro- duced this resolution, Mr. Speaker, we would not take from the gentleman trom New York that supreme moment. of power and of honor which comes but once in the life of any man—a moment when he, the chairman of this committee, might have immortalized himself by prompt aud vigorous action in offering a ‘Tesolution directing his committee to investigate the cipher despatches, At length it was thouyht that the country would blame the republicans if they did not gently and quietly allude to this subject, and, therefore, 1 made & modest allusion to it in my bumble, modest way, (Shouts of laughter.) The hammer fell, indicating that the gentleman's time had expired. Mr. ConGER (persisting]—I would like to have an opportunity of replying to the personalitiese—, Mr. Burren Le aaphrgmn, map I would like to have an opportunity of = ying to you, Mr. CoxcEn—And I would Tike to have an oppor- athe Speakes, persoted ia Paling that Mr. Conde ‘The Speaker, persisted in ruling that Mr. Conger had had his ak Mr. Concen—Mr, Speaker, on another occasion I will continue these remarks. (Laughter,) SPEECH OF MR, HEWITT. Mr. Huwrrt, (dem,) of N. ¥.—Mr. Speaker, per- sonally I have no desire to take part in this discns- s.on; but! foresaw that something would be said that would make it necessary for me at least to make some explanation of the circumstances which have Jed to this result. To the position of the gentlemen trom Ma-sachusetts (Mr. Butler) a8 a judge, a lawyer, and a member of Congress, I take no exception. It will be remembered that when in the Fprty-fourth Congress 4 motion was made in this Housé to com- mit the ofticers of the Western Union ‘Yeiegreph Company for contempt for not producing telegrams (probably those now under discussion) 1 said to this House that I. thought that such ® proceeding could not be defended on any principle of justice. or of law, but I was compelied to that as Chairman of the Na- tional Democratic Committee at that time I had never sent or received a despatch which might not be published, and 1 authorized then and there the officers of thet company to produce thei ali and lay them before the committee of the House and before the country. So now, in regard to the pending prop- osition, While I make no controversy with the gen- tleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Butler) and can make none, I desire to remind him that there are oc- casions in life when there is something higher even than judge or lawyer or member of Congress. INVESTIGATION INVOKED, It is when the sense of manhood strikes to the human heart; and then, in spite of law, in spite of precedent, the answer comes, “* Lot justice be done.” And I staud here now to invoke the fullest investi- gution of these telegrams—those which have been published or may not have seen the light of day, or any and ell telegrams that may aifect the character and standing of any democrat who had part in the late Presidential ciection, either us a candidate for office or as au officer or agent of any recagnized. democratic organization. ‘Whother the cipher despatches publivbed in the Zribune are yenu- ine or not I have no means of knowing. I never received one of them. I was nover cognizant of their existence until they were published of the Tribune. Neither do I know whether the. alleged transactions are true or false, But this I do know, that not one of them containing a reference to the use of money to intinence returning boards or elec- toral yotes was ever addrossed to or received by any officer of the National Democratic Committee. Tam aware that the newspapers have credited oue of those persons to whom telegrams were addressed, with baving been an officer of the democratic committee, but I say to this House and to the country that that isanerror, He never held any oficial connection with the comunuties. These despatches cu from and were addressed to persons who no official position in the organizstion, That they were zealous democrats and anxious to secure the fruits of the victory” which we hod unquestionably won in a contest of bean alleled effort on both sides, is very evident. nt whet they did was acgion of-a Boraly voluntary and individual nature, without consultation either with me, who was charged with the conduct of the cam- paign, ‘or, as 1am authorized here to.say, with the candidate of the democratic party in that memorable struggle, (Satirical laughter on the republican side of the House.) You gentiemen may laugh, because you are deat to the voice of honor aud truth. the entlemen on the other side that when they laugh in that spirit it is because they fail to ciate the manhood which [ ventured to call their attention to when I was replying to what had been suid by tho member from Massachusetts. WHAT JUSTICE DEMANDS. The proposed investigation, if it shall be ordered by this House, will establish these fact: ond all controversy, and it is for that reason that trust it may be ordered to proceed, notw! ing the argument of the gentleman from Massachusetts, Justice to Samuel J. Tilden requires that the in- vestigation shali be made, Justice to the great democratic Pod Spey chosen leader he was, de- ust mands i to the American people, who elected him to tho highest office in their gift, dey mands it, Justice to the fundamental principies on which free government is tounded demands it. It was intimated that gentlemen on the other side would sit im their soats and not vote on this question, but I am glat to learn from the geat from Maine (Mr. Hale) that tleman: ‘we are at last to have the co-operation of the ropub- lican party in the vindication of Samuel J. Tilden, Taccept it as the frat evidence of ntauce. (Jeer- ing laughter on the republican side.) Yes, I accept it as the evidence of repentance, and 1 trust that hereafter the bers on that side Will “bring forth itance.”” fruits meet for BEPUBLICAN CALUMNY, ‘Their policy heretorore been, ever since the award of the elect tribunal -by which the Prosi deucy which belongs to Sanmuel J, Til- den was wroi to Rutherford B, Hayes, to cover the name of Samuel J, Tilden with calumny. They have steadily sought to cover up the crimes by which the were defrauded of their” rights bs My“ -on the person and character of Mr. » expecting to overcome the popular sense of wrong by insisting that Mr. Tilden is no better man than Mr. Hayes. ith this object in view they have devoted themselves—first, to conceali all the traces of fraud on the repub- ican side. person who has been connected with this perpetration has bad his mouth closed by ‘office, the diguity of which (from that of Cabinet minister and foreign ambassador down to-that of tide-waiter and tax-gatherer) has been caretully ad- to the services rendered. So far as Ll can as- certain not one man (or at jeast not more than one man) has been omitted from that catalogue of tools, ot whom it may be truly said, “they have their re- wi Mr. Reep, (rep.) of Me., said he desired to make a suggestion, but Mr, Hewitt declined to yield, and continued :— ASKAILING MR. TILDEN. This is the only chance (hat tie democrats hayo had to bring to the knowledge of the people the tacts ot the cave, and now they will be brought out. (Ironical laughter on the republican side.) The venues of testimony having becn thus closed another evidence of complicity has been destroved. Republican letters and jegrame have, as ts gener- ay. Delieeetnat theregnay be o mi about it— alike disappeared, but every scrap of writing or tele- hic commu at can be tortured into evidence of democratic fraud or folly has beou care- fully hunted up, pi , and, by tl oe ofan omnipotent press, has been, with almost fiendish in- wei made todo duty in the work of assailing fan J. Tilden and the democratic leaders. he frauds by which the votes of Fiorida and Louisiens were wrongfully counted for are sought to be offset by the allegation that TH tried to purchase those votes oud failed. In other words, the mistaken zoal of some of his, indiscreet friends, to secure his just rights by wrong niethods is paraded as the justilles: tion for the transter to Mr. Hayes of the votes of States which gave au unquestionable majority for Mr. Tilden, But they are aware that the eommon sense of the people of the country will reject all such miserable subterfuges unless they somes ir. ‘Tilden with those transactions, aud the most it etforts have becn mady to w that he hi iq sonal knowledge of the operations of his over- zoaions iriends, Now, I stand here to declare that there is not ‘a particle of evidence to connect him with this knowledge. On the con- trary, the evidence so far as produced (and the pro- juction of it has been most skilfully managed to give an opposite impreasion) proves conclusively tit ne had no such knowledge, for in no case was any stich purchase of votes ‘hooked, and in every case it broke down for want of monoy. Is it to sup: posed fora moment that jt Samuel J, Tilden had decided to buy those votes the purchase would have to the children | terruption)—Where money was required it failed, And is not the conch Tereaistible that when in the it was to qo to him for money, Re pape stamped on the sugyestion us one to which he ear ve neither approval nor assistance? Let, then, Mr. T! have the opportunity -to con- | front his accusers, his traducers, bis maligners, be- | fore a competent tribunal. Let the mau who of right | Should oceupy to-day the Executive chair go on the witness s‘and, it need be, and satisfy the Anicrican fmm by yaw that one at least bee the je two reat parti existence . in cseontial to. the maintenance of free a \ | Mr. Hewrrr (without noticing Mr. Townsend's in- H z ernment is not a miserable trickster willing to inake bargains for the highest office in the the ie, eve! | hour's wrongful occupation of which milly micnelies *equisition and the hunilistion of i THE ION ADOPTED, The hour allowed for discussion having close, Mr. GARFIELD, (rep.) of Ohio, moved to reconsider the yote ore: question. Mr. ATKINS, (dem,) of Pa., moved that motion on the table, and it was so pial ag Yeas witue House th to-vote tion ‘The Hon en on the resolut and it was without @diyision, MEETING OF THE POTTER COMMITTEE, The Potter Investixation Committee will mect to-motrow for the purpose of deciding upon a pro- gramme of future proc . The cipher despatehos will be the principal business before them and ths reparation and arrangement oz a list of@itaesses to e examined will probably consume the greator part of to-morrow’s session, it is stated thet some evidence may bé taken to-morrow, but this Appears rather unlikely, as there is no witness on hand except St. Martin, and with Seaport to him no notification has mm heen received eit! from Mx, Sherman or Mr. Shellabarger. There is no truth in the statement that it has ‘been decided to rele- gato the invest jon of the ciphi sub-committee, to hold its sittings in New York, but in all probability a large amount of imporiant testi- mony will be taken in that city. This question will, haps, be decided to-morrow. per! THE RENO INQUIRY. er despatches toa CONCLUSION OF GIRARD'S TzSTIMONY—-WHO ORDERED RENO'S COMMAND OUT OF COLUMN? —AN INDIAN TRICK OF CONCEALMENT-——-THE INDIANS MEET RENO’S DETACHMENT. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Curcaao, UL, Jan. 21, 1879, Although the Reno investigation has been in progress a week it does not seem to have lost inter. est, The room was crowded as usual to-day, The first thing in order was the correction of Girard’s testimony of ~yesterday. ‘This wit- ness to-day denied that he was mar. ried to an Indian woman, Mr. Gilbert re- sumed his cro; ination of Girard by asking some questions that ‘had already been answered, The Court said that Girard’s testimony on these points seemed very clear, and Mr. Gilbert should not attempt to confuse the witness by going into them again, Taking another lead Mr. Gilbert, in his most affable yet ironical manner, asked, “Have you any Indian children, Mr. Girard?” “I object to such questions, may it please the Court,” Lieutenant Lee hastened to say, “because they are caleulaicd to degrade the witness in public estimation. They are irrelevant to the matter in hand and the witness need answer them or not, as he p..ases.” Mr. Gilber’ arose and said; “With the utmost deference to Your Honors I may as well state to the Court the purpose Thad in asking the question. The witness had stated that he has had thirty-one, yeara’ intercourse with the Indians. I merely wished to see to what extent his intimacy extended.” The objection was sustained, and at tle end of the cross examination Recorder Lee began the redirect examina- tion and touched on the point of * WHO ORDERED OUT THAT COMMAND? The witness stated that he was riding with General Custer at the time, and continued:—When General Custer saw the command move out he put spurs’ to his. horse, and, seeming to be speaking to Dimeelf, said, “Who the mischief ordered ont that command?’ aud then subsequently asked him (Girard) the @ question, to which the scout replied that he did not know, bus that the order had been given, and that was all he knew about it. A number of other questions of mi- nor importance and mainly relating to Girard’s por- sonal relations toward Keno were asked, but-most of them were ruled out by the Court. This concluded Girard’s testimony, ‘THE COMMANDER OF THE SCOUTS TRSTIFIEE. Lieutenant C. A. Varnum, quartermaster of tho Seventh cavalry, now stationed at Fort Abriham Lincoln, was p! on the stand. He testified thas on the 25th and 26th of June, 1876, he was a second lieutenant in command of # party of scouts ander General Custer. After answering preliminary ques- tions as to the command of Custer and its relations towurd the Indians he testified that on the 26th ho was detached from the main body of troops, being away with the scout, He was not with the troops wi the Custer command was divided. He did not know what companies wero assigned to Reno; ho mercly knew that when he saw Reno's command it con of tl companies of about forty mea each, He did not hear the — given to Reno a ye his sdvance the In- dians. He was riding so that he dropped in with the command as it crossed the river, He joined the head of the commend when it was forming after crossing the river. Witness was asked to describe the movements of the Indians from that time on. In ren, he said that he did not know whether Indians could be seen from where Reno's men were, but he hag seen a number of them down in the bottom, having where he could see. The of fours for their advance into the timber. fs command, pulled out from Custer’s command at a trot, while Custer went at a walk. ‘Tho distsace bo- tween the two commands when Reno reached the ford depended on the course Custer took. Witness then described the topography of the Indian yil. In answer to a question put to him in re- to Reno's conduct Lieutenant Varnum said at he and anther officer rode abead of Reno's com- mand “about seventy-five or ah yards ahead.’” INDIAN TACTICS. ‘They saw the Indians traversing the plein ahead, down “the bottom,” *4 cktng SPA aren dust and ap] tly rnuning away. y were ridiug back ond forth, aud cr edge evidently to create a dust so that the soldiers eae not estimate how many of them there were. At longth they appearod to De turning back, and finally tae witness and Lieu- eo ee ou who ser ft rag hag to in command, leaving the scouts they knew ioe ok When met Mente line ~~ been deplo: caring that Company o iaA to charge tho Indian village tho wituess rode dqwn into the timber to join the cl ng com- pony. ‘There he saw jor Reno, who was yA the men. * The colonel (Reno) asked him if Le hae just come from the line, and told him to go back and report to him what was going on there. On the way ‘back he met Lieutenant Hodge who told him what was going on there. Here he heard that the Indians were circling around to the leit, so that the horses were in danger. He underiovk to bring the borves out, hy . THR cHaRaE, Patsing over on She saht of the tine pened in Moyland say that his men were out of ammunition. ‘That oficer was ordering his men to go back to their horses by alternates and get ammunition and then re- turn to the line, Going over to the right of the line he heard some confused sounds about a charge. Did not know what was the mypi- Soon saw the men ail mounted sud pressing past him. He was crowded into the bushes ‘80 that most of the mon got past bim; but soon he got out, and then giving his horse hia head sovunt up with the centre of the line, Hete ho saw tho -Colonel, and without kuowiug what was the matter concluded that it must be ail ht. = The troépe crossed the river and climbed hill on She eB eite sis. In speaking of what ho saw on the ina e witness cso Lar pth Lothar nurters of an hoar or an hour train joined them. He received orders to go down and bury the dewd, Captain Hod; ‘ine aud bis men, Who had been passed by Keno, " he started to do 80, but was recalled by Liotterant Wallaco. Upon mmand going back be found the og under way down w river, THE INDIRKS MEET RENO. Soon the Indians mot them. At first there was scattered firing, and then it seemed as though all the Indinns had werae Dae, on, the ‘The troops wore obliged to draw ia selves. The firing thon kept up unt! at ght. Any attempt he might make to ps bes i time when vt parted with uster Ui o toe wor § work, to the bottom be mere — quesn’ Dut he balieved it must have been nearly two o'clock, He based his opinion largely on the are of ‘The potees 008 Woree were all p! “hed dl nothing but the éxeitement Boing into nt wit in the saddle, Witness it was very ditt cult to enti the of Indians engaged with Reno in the timber. There was a very @ force in front, and 8 large force was circling arot the left when ho was on the line, Tue force in frout Reno wad not lean svg tate five hundred. There wae a very brisk fire from thoxe in front, but the cloud of dust down the valley rendered tert impossible to estiinate how muny there were behind, ‘Then foilowed « beg hag > tedious examination of the wit in which bed in detail the condi+ tion no's fores on their retreat irom the woods, ‘The then adjourned until cleven o'clock to- morrow. COOPER UNION. ‘The annual report of the reoipta and expenditures of the Cooper Union as signed by the trustees ahows that the total revenue during 1978 was $41,624 79 and the expenditures $44,905 25. During the t your the oe toe wey oye Ae nde ti v o ‘anit on the Ist of dan vl year they BVHlanee in the treasury of fl 009 2 \