Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1877-04-07
To Hon. John B. Gordon and Hor
John Young Brown.
Interview with Charles Foster.

CLEVELAND, March 28.-The Re-
view of Fostoria, Ohio, tomorrow will
contain the following interview with
the Hon. Charles Foster:
Reporter-Have you anything that
you can say relative to the alleged
compact between yourself and Stanley
Matthes on the one part and certain
Southern gentleman on the other?
Mr.. Foster-So far as any compact
is concerned, there is nothing of it.
During the final hours of the count
under the electoral bill, several South
ern gentlemen, who were opposing
the flibustering movement, were So
licitous that they should have definite
assurances from Hayes as to his South
ern policy. An informal meeting was
arranged, at which were present as
friends of Hayes Messrs. Sherman,
Garfield, Dension, Matthew and my
self. The object of the meeting was
simply to arrive at a better under
standing in regard to the policy of the
incoming Administration. They, on
their part, did not claim that the as
surance they asked for was to deter
mine their action as to the carrying out
of the provisions of the electoral bill;
but that they desired them as a guar
antee to their people that they acted in
good faith. To this end they desired
that Hayes give to them only such
guarantees as he had already given to
his own friends. In reply, it was
stated by US that it would be improper
and indelicate at this time for Hayes
to give any assurances foreshadowing
his policy; but that we felt fully just
fled in stating, from our knowledge Of
the views and intentions of Governor
Hayes, that his policy would be to ia
vor local selfgovernment and home
rule in the South.
Reporter-You did not .give any as
surances as coming from Governor
Hayes?
Mr.. Foster-Not directly, or as to
them. We simply stated our belief as
to his course, based upon communica-
tions from and converse tions with him.
Reporter-Wa any assurance given
as to the immediate or unconditional
withdrawal of troops from the South
ern States?
Mr.. Foster-What may have been
said with regard to the withdrawal of
the troops, was simply in the nature of
belief that such would be the result
of the policy which we believed the
President would adopt.
Reporter-You say that there was
no written compact entered into?
Mr.. Foster-There was no written
compact entered into, and allegation
to this effect, so far as | have any
knowledge, is the merest moonshine.
Reported-I see it stated that a copy
of the compact was sent to Hayes, and
that he approved it. Have you any
knowledge of any such thing?
Mr.. Foster-There being no such
compact it is simply impossible that
Hayes should approve or disapprove
of it. Atleast | know nothing of such
thing.
Reporter-I understand then that
this meeting was merely an informal
one, in which yourself and others, as
in some degree confidents of President
/ Hayes, made representations to the
| Southern gentlemen as to the pacific
! intentions OF the incoming Admins
| tration which were based on verbal
! and written communications you had
with Gov. Hayes but were not regard
ed in the nature of a compact to which
he was pledged?
Mr.. Foster-Exactly. We had nc
authority to make compact binding
Gov. Hayes, and we distinctly stated the
improperly of making such compact
at that time and under the circum'
stances.
Reporter-What about the lettel
written to John Young Brown anC
Senator Gordon by Mr.. Matthews anC
yourself?
Mr.. Foster-That letter was the re-
suit of a conversation | had with Mr.
Brown, in which he asked for writer
assurances for his future justification
He distinctly stated that he did no
ask this as a condition of carrying on
the provisions of the Electoral bill
that he regarded that as a matter o
personal honor, and that no powe
could coerce him to do otherwise thai
faithfully stand by the provisions 0
the bill. He asked that the paper D.
signed by Matthews and myself, and b