The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-12-14
The President Proves to
be the Boss Liar Of
the Country.
Tho Louisiana Returning Board
Does Net Take Kindly to
Investigation.
But Chairman Morrison is Very
Likely to Bring the Rogues
to Terms.
The Situation in South Carolina
and Florida, and Political
News in General.
Hewitt and Grant.

WASHINGTON. ID. c., Dec. 12-.The fol-
lowing is furnished by Hon. Abram S.
Hewitt. addressed TO the Washington
agent Of the associated press:
In yesterdays papers find dispatch
from you relating to a conversation with
President Grant in reference TO the un.
fortunate state OF affairs in South Caro-
lima, and my interviews with him in ref
erence thereto. So far as South Carolina
was concerned, the president enjoined no
confidence, but expressly stated that
was at liberty to communicate his views
to the public. He did cnioin confidence
in regard to what he said of Louisiana
affairs, and that confidence | have re-
spected, although, as l have already
stated to him, believe the publication
of his statements would do much to tran
quilizc the public mind in regard TO
South Carolina. The president stated
that in his Judgment not less than sixty
three members having certificates from
the secretary OF state were eligible TO or
ganizc the house and transact business.
As this view accorded with my own, and
as no confidence was enjoined. | tele-
graphed il in the following language:
"A. G.. HASKELL, CHAIRMAN, Charles
ton, ). C.-l am able to say that neither
house will be recognized by the presi-
dent until it gets sixty three members,
holding original certificates from the re.
turning board. ADRIAN S. HEWITT
My object in sending this dispatch was
that thought it would tend to allay the
excitement in South Carolina and pre-
vent collision between the people and
troops, OF which we are very apprehen-
sive. On the 9th of December, ! received
reply which Induced me TO send the fol
iowing kilograms to the president:
ITO THE PREsIpENT:--I have received
a reliable telegram from Columbia stat
ing that the siXty-third member holding
certificate from the secretary of state
has been sworn into the house presided
over by Speaker Wallace, which is, there.
fore, organized in accordance with the
requirements OF the law as stated by
you"
TO THE PREsIDENT:-I have Just re-
ceived a later dispatch saying that the SUI
preme court of South Carolina has pro &.
nounced its judgment, and declared the
house presided over by w. II. Wallace to
be the legally constituted house CT repre-
sentatives, and that Mackey is private
person. not speaker, or IN any respect an
officer Of the legislature body"
THE SECOND INTERVIEW.
TN the evening of the same day Sena-
tor Randolph suggested that he and
| should call upon the president and ask
him whether, under the circumstances,
he couldho see his way clear to order
the withdrawal Of the United States
troops from Columbia, and recognize the
house OF representatives so constituted
with sixty-three members. The presi-
dent granted us an interview, which be-
gan by my saying that l had sent him
two kilograms from the house in refer
ence to South Carolina affairs. The pres
ident at once replied that he had re-
ceiyed them, and that very late on the
proceeding eveaing he had received tel.
egram from Columbia saying that 1 had
informed parties there that the president
would recognize as legal house that
body which should have sixty-three
members, with a certificate from the Sec
rotary OF state.
The president said that he had replied
that he had not made any snch state
ment that he did not believe | had said
he had done so; and that at any rate it
was not true.
! replied that had not sent any tele-
gram TO that effect, but had sent one as
nearly as l could recollect as follows /:
II am able to say that the president
will not recognize any house that does
not contain siXty-threc members with
original certificates from the returning
board"
The president replied, THAT is correct.
! did say so; that was my private opin.
ion, but did not say that wonld recog-
nize house that had siXty-three men,
bers."
replied that is true, Lut think it is
implied, and we have come to ask you to
do so.
The president replied that as at pres
ent advised he must decline TO recog-
nize the house containing siXty-,hree
members. and he did not know that he
would recognize the other house that
Chamberlain was governor until some
one was regularly inaugurated in his
place and that he should sustain him.
The president did not say that had yio-
lated his confidence in any particular,
but he said it would have been viola
ton Of his confidence if had sent the
telegram reported to him from Colum-
bia, the sending OF which again de-
MED.
COULD VERIFY THE MATTER.
then reminded the president that lac
had the means Of testing the accuracy of
any recollection OF his statements because
Immediately after the interview on
Sunday had dictated the substance of
my conversation aud furnished him with
q copy and requested him to return 1t to
me with any corrections he might choose