To disregard the writing for the sake of ascertaining the fact. This phrase was in every one’s mouth during the Tilden-Hayes controversy of 1876, when the Electoral Commission declined to go behind the Louisiana returns.
1839. I do not desire to go behind these proofs.—Mr. Smith of Maine in the House of Representatives, March 2: Congressional Globe, p. 279, App.
1839. Gentlemen said that the fraud involved in these returns was so manifest that it was absolutely necessary to go behind them.—Mr. Rayner of North Carolina, H. of R., Dec. 18: id., p. 61.
1840. [They] would have shaken at the gentleman the Governor’s certificate and broad seal, and told him, in his own words, that he could not go behind it.—Mr. Starkweather of Ohio, H. of R., Jan. 10: id., p. 70, Appendix.
1847. The door-keeper, to adopt a legal phrase, ‘could n’t go behind the check.’—Knick Mag., xxix. 99 (Jan.).
1850. I am of opinion that the Senate had a right to go behind the nomination, in order to inquire into the circumstances under which it was made.—Mr. Bradbury of Maine, May 15: Cong. Globe, p. 1002.
1890. The public have a right to assume that learned distinctions are bestowed in good faith, and upon some basis of common understanding, and ought not to be compelled to go back of academic titles to find out what they mean.—E. H. Griffin, in Science, xv. p. 104/2 (Feb. 14). (N.E.D.)
*** See also Appendix XXII.
