Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-04-05
The Matthews-Foster Letters, with
Explanations. . ..

EAplanatl0uSs r.
The Louisville Couier-JOttrr of the 29th
contains an account of an interview with John
Young Brown, of Kentucky, in which he explains
in detail his part in connection with the
Matthews-Foster letter relative to affairs In
Louisiana and South Carolina. He says that
on the 26th of February he went, in company
with Senator Gordon, to see Representative Fos-
ter and stated that he Brown should continue
to vote against all dilatory motions pending the
Electoral count in any event, unless he thought
that, by voting to complete the count which
was to ,esult in the Inauguration of Mr..
Hayes he would be adding directly or in
directly in perpetuating the usurpatons
of Packard and Chamberlain in the
States OF Louisiana and South Carolina In
such case he would reverse his action and do his
very utmost to defeat the execution of the BILL
regardless of consequences calamitous to the
country, as he believed they would be; he stated
that he knew of several prominent gentlemen
who would join him in this course, and the
Electoral count would thus be defeated Mr.
Foster replied that he believed this. Mr.. Brown
then told him he had come to request OF him
(Foster) written assurance that if Hayes
rule in the States of Louisiana and
South Carolina; that the people of the States
should control their own affairs in their own
way, as free from any interruption by the Fed
eral authority as the State of Ohio he wanted
no bargain, no agreement but he desired
written assurance from him (Foster) that the
policy of Mr.. Hayes would be indicated, and
from him specially by reason of his very in
innate relations with Mr. Hayes. Mr.. Fosters
.lyr to oil from full raot oy,1
satisfactory to Gen. Gordon and Mr..
Brown. Mr.. Foster agreed to give the
desired letter, and said he would also
request Mr. Stanley Matthews to sign it. Two
letters were subsequently given, one (the origi-
nall signed by Mr. Foster alone, and the second
by both Matthews and Foster. With regard to
the second, Mr.. Foster had satel to Mr.. Brown
that " it is intended to the whole case, and
1 can promise you there viii be no doubt about
the fulhllment of all theassurances have given
you" The letters age as follows:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
WASHINGTON d. c., Feb. 26, 1877.
" GENTLEMEN: Referring to the conversation
had with you yesterday, in which Gov. Hayes
policy to the status of certain Southern States
was discussed, we desire to say in reply that we
assure you in the strongest possible
manner of our great desire to have
adopted such a policy as will give to
the people of the States of South
Carolina and Louisiana the right to control
their own affairs in their own way, and to say
further we feel authorized from acquaintance
and knowledge of Gov. Hayes and his views on
this question to pledge ourselves to you for him
that such will be his policy.
(Sigued) "CHAs FOSTER.
$40 the Hon. John Young Brown and the Hon.
John B. Gordon"
WASHINGTON Cry, Feb. 27, 1877.
"GENTLEMEN: Referring to the conversation
had with you yesterday, in which Gov. Hayes
to- fna tat of
was discussed, desire to say
you, in the strongest possible manner, of our
great desire to have him adopt such policy as
will give to the people of the State of South Car
olina and Louisiana the right to control their
affairs in their own way, subject only to the
Constitution of the United States and the laws
made in pursuance thereof, and to say further,
that from an acquaintance with and knowledge
of Gov. Hayes and his views, we havs the most
complete confidence that such will be the policy
of his Administration. Respectfully,
{Signed) STANLEY MATTHEW'S
CHARLES FOSTER
"To the Hons. John B. Gordon and John Young
Brown"
At Fostoria, on the 29th, in an interview, Mr..
Foster stated that During the final hours of
the count under the Electoral bill, several South
ern gentlemen who were opposing the flibuster-
ing movement were solictous that they should
have definite assurances from Hayes as TO his
Southern policy. An informal meeting was ar
ranged, at which were present, as friends of
Hayes, Mesrs. Sherman, Garfield, Deni-
son, Matthews and myself. The object of
the meeting was simply to arrive at a
better understanding in regard to the
policy of the incoming Administration. They
on their part did not claim that the assurances
they asked for were to determine their action as
tn he ont of %loa of fha
Electoral bill but they desired them 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 that it would be improper and indelicate at
this time for Hayes to give any assurances
foreshHdowlng his policy, but that we felt fully
justified II a3ng, from our knowledge of the
views and intentions of Gov. Haves that his
policy would be TO favor local self-government
and home-rule in the South" No assurances
were given coming directly from Gov. Hayes,
but simply belief as to his (Hayes) course,
based up1n communications from and conversa-
tions with him. No writ compact was entered
into and all allegation to that effect, 50 far
as he (Foster) had any knowledZe, were the
me-est moonshine; they had no authority to
make A compact binding Gov. Haye1, a1d they
di<tincty stated the improprie;y aad indesicacy
OF making such compact at that tlme and
under e circumstances. The letters written to
Mr.. Brown was the result of conversation with
him, in which he (B-oxn) asked for written
sprances for his future Justification; he distin t.
ly stated that hs did not ask this a. condition
of carrying out the provisions of the Electoral
bill; that he regarded that matter of
personal honor, and that no power could
coerce him to do otherwise than faithfully stand
by the provisions of the bill; he asked that the
paper be signed by Mr.. Matthews and Mr.. Foster,
and be addressed to him and Senator Gordon.
Dir. Foster expressed willingness to aceede 70
his wishes, and the paper was prepared signed
and delivered. He Foster had no recollection
of having any conversation with Senator Gordon
on the subject of writing this letter.
"A warning is sent to all cities to
clean out their sewers, by Sacramento,
CAL, which was shaken from center to
circumference, a few nights ago, by a
tremendous explosion. The carbonic
acid gas IN sewer had blown up street
for more than half mile, shaking the
houses in the neighborhood. killing one
man and injuring several.
EACH Boston girl considers herself one
of the elect-one of the intellect.