The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1859-07-23
Frederick on the Senatorial Question.

the Senatorial election Of 1855. The public
we're anxious to hear the revelations the
Senator had to make, and accordingly on
Saturday evening last, at Nevada, he broke
silence and told his story. He says, at that
time McCorkle was his choice for the short
term, but finding he did not have strength,
and Mr.. Latham being his second choice, he
determined that gentleman should he elected,
upon the assurance that Mr. L. would 60 for
Broderick's fiends for all the Federal ap
pointments except in few cases.
upon the eve," says he, "of Latham g election,
when there remained nothing to be done but to
make up the official record Of the vote which
would elect him. gentleman whose claims
favored for the post of Collector of the Port OK
San Francisco came to me and said that Latham
had sometime before given written pledge,
promising to support him for the same position
in the event Of his (Lathams) election. But now
his election being considered certain. Latham
had determined to support another individual
and in his anxiety to obtain possession OF his
written pledge Latham had deputed man to
seek my lrit nds room and surrepttiously obtain
possession of the letter containg that written
pledge. This statement was 30 we'll substantlated
by facts that could MOI doubt its correctness. !
found, upon making inquiry that Mr.. Latham had
determined to support another gentleman Tor Col
lector, and that that gentleman whom he had de-
termined to support one of my warmest
and most intimate friends Fellow-citzens. this
scheme to separate me from friends who we're as
dear to me as my own honor, was so cold-biooded,
calculating and Indignantly selfish, and the means
adopted for the accomplishment of it. partook
more of the nature Of man who had d. billed IN
the filthiest pool of politics rather than that be-
fitting to and worthy of q gentleman aspiring
to the proud and exalted position of United States
Senator that, accustomed as had been to watch
the low tricks of greedy politicians. a lifetime
of observation had furnished no parallel to the
has ness which the facts thus developed against
Latham exhibited. Up to the time when these
facts were developed had ben assisting Latham
with my whole strcr 9Th. My friends had been
committed to him. and he unhesitatingy ana
with the strongest vehemence pledged to them
his aid for me in giving them position Indeed,
so much had been done to secure Latham s cleo
ton that at this time felt doubtful as to wheth-
or it could be prevented. | decided, however.
that my duty to the people Of this State. and my
duty to myself required me to use every exer-
ton in my power to prevent the election OF any
man who was controlled by such motives and
who could pursue the course OF conduct charged
and proven against Latham in the facts related
10 me, and which have now rehearsed to YOU"
Here is a charge of most disreputable
bargain having been made between Latham
and Broderick. Latham is further accused
of obtaining, stealing, the letter spoken of,
from Mr. Tilford, who is the person meant
as having been agreed upon, for Collector OF
the Port of San Francisco. If this charge
is true Mr. Latham deserves to be stamped
with nfamy-if false, Broderick should be
held up to tie scorn and indignation of the
whole people of California as an infamous
fasifer, deserving to be spit upon by every
honest man with contempt.
Already we have the refutation Of this
outrageous charge both in the contradiction
of it from the stump by Mr.. Latham, at
Shasta, who denies the accusation in toto,
and promises full explanation Of it at
Nevada, on the first of August, the place
where Brode;ick made the accusation, and
in the annexed letter Of Major Tilford, who
places Broderick in the position of wilful
liar, without room for lodging Mr. Tiford
is known as high minded, honorable gen.
tleman, Of unqnestoned veracity, whose
statement will be taken as the true version
of the affair." The letter is addressed to the
Sacramento Standard, from which we copy:
To THE EDITOR OF THE STANDARD: In the report
of Hon. d. G. Broderck's speech ut Nevada
published in the SACRAMENTO UNION, of the 18th
inst. appears the following passage: upon the
eve of Latham's election, when there remained
nothing to be done but to make up the official
record of the vote which would elect him, gen
teman whose claims l favored for the post of
Collector of the port of San Francisco came to
me and said that Latham had some time before
given written pledge promising to support him
Tor the same position in the event of his
(Lathams) election, but now his election being
considered certain Mr.. Latham had determined
to support another individual; and in his ankle
ty to obtain possession of his written pledge, La
| than had deputed man to seek my friend ana
surreptitously obtain possession of the letter con-
tanning that same written pledge" AS am the
friend referred to by Mr. Broderick, my own
honor and Justice to Mr.. Latham require from me
a candid and explicit statement OF the transaction
in question. A brief narration of my position
towards Mcssrs. Droderick and Latham, in the
Senatorial contest Of 1857, may be necessary to
more thoroug h understanding Of all the facts Of
the case. 1t is well known that was an ardent
and constant friend of Mr.. Broderck and advo-
cate,i his election to the position he nov holds.
As member Of the Legislature Of 'o6 and '57,
| had it in my power 20 render him efficient ser
vice. Among other matters referred to in repeat
ed conversations between Mr. Broderck and my
SELF the disposition of the Federal patronage in
this State in the event of his success and the Sc
lection of a suitable colleague for the Senate,
were discussed Mr.. Broderick voluntarily prof
ferred me his support for the Collectorship of
San Francisco. This prefer wholly un olici-
ted on my part, and when afterwar Is (both prior
and subsequent to his election) offered to release
him from his voluntary promise. he declined the
offer. Many weeks before the Senatorial contest
/ informed Mr.. Latham that he would receive my
vote and support for one Of the vacancies to be
filed at the next session Of the Legislature. This