The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-03-29
rAE BARGAIN AND SALE.
Interview with Hons Charles Fos-
ter aud JOun Young Brown.

CLEVELAND, March 2s.-The Rssisss
Of Fostoria, o., tomorrow will contain
the following interview with the Hon.
Charles Foster:
Reporter-Have you anything you can
say relative to the alleged compact be-
tween yourself and Stanley Matthews on
the one part and certain Southern gen.
tlemen on the other part?
Mr.. Foster-So far as any CON-
pact is concerned there is moth.
ing OF it. During the final
hours of the count under the electoral
bill, several Southern gentlemen who
were opposing the tllibusters were so.
licitsus 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, Messrs. Sherman, Garfield,
Dennison, Matthews and myself. The
object WAS simply 10 arrive at better
understanding in regard to the policy OF
the incoming President. They, on their
part, did not claim that the assurance
they asked was 10 determine their action
as to the carrying out of the provisions
of the electoral bill, but that they de-
sired them as q guarantee to their people
that they acted IN good faith. To this
end they desired that Hayes would give
TO them only such guarantees IS he had
already gwen his own friends
In reply, it was stated by Us
that IT would be improper aud
innelicate at this time for hayes to give
any assurances forshsdowlng mis- policy,
but we felt fully justified in saying, from
our knowledge OF the views OF Governor
Hayes, that his policy would be to favor
local self government and home rule in
the South.
Rep.-You did not give any assurances
as coming faom Hayes?
Mr.. F.-Not directly, or as to them
We simply stated our belief rs to his
course based on communications and
from conversations with HIM.
Rep.-Was any assurance given as to
the immediate and unconditional with
drawsl Of troops from the Southern
States?
Mr.. Foster-Whatever may have been
said with regard 10 the withdrawal Of
troops WAS simply IN the nature OF be-
liei that such would be the result of the
policy which we believed the President
would adopt.
Rep.-Iou say there was no written
compact entered into.
Mr. F.--rhere was no written compact
and all allegations to this effect as far as
/ nave any knoweldge are the merest
moonshine.
Rep see it stated that copy of the
compact was sent to Hayes, ana that he
approved it. Have you any knowledge
OF any such?
Mr.. F.-There being no such COM
pact it was impossible that Hayes should
approve or disapprove OF 1t. At least l
know nothing Of such thing.
Rep.-I understand then that this
meeting was merely an informal one,
in which yourself and some friends, in
some degree in the confidence OF Hayes,
made representations to these men as TO
the pacific intentions of the incoming
President toward their section; that they
were based on verbal and written CON-
mum cations you had with Gov. Hayes,
but were not regarded in the nature of q
compact to which he WAS pledged.
Mr.. F.-Exactly. We mad no author
ity TO make compact for Gov. Hayes,
and we distinctly stated the indeicscy OF
making such compact for Gov. Hayes
under the circumstances.
Rep.--What about the letter written
to John Young Brown and Senator Cor.
don by Matthews and yourself 2
Mr.. F.-That letter vas the result OF q
conversation l had with Brown, in
which he asked tor written assurance
for his future justification. He
distinctly stated tnat he did not
ask this as q condition oil
carrying out the prov isions OF the cleo
toral bill; that he regarded that rs a
matter OF personal honor, and no power
could coerce him 10 do otherwise tnsn
stand by the bill. He asked that the
paper be signed by Mr.. Matthews and
myself, and be addressed to him and
Senator Gordon. l expressed wilins ;
to accece 10 his wishes, and the paper
was prepared, signed and delivered.
have no recollection of having any CON
versa.ion with Senator Gordon on the
subject of writing this letter.
Rep-Wh hat was the nature OF that
letter.
Mr.. Fit was statement by Mr.
Matthews and myself rs - what we be-
lieved would be the policy OF President
Hayes in dealing with the Southern
question. II contained nothing more
than was contained in the interview IN
nv house on the subject. We did no,
retain copy OF the letter, and cannot
give its exact contents.
Rep.-W hat is your opinion as TO the
object OF the publication of the false re-
ports aegarding this matter?
Mr.. F.-Its object IS evidently to
weaken and cripple the administration IN
deslin. with this Southern question, and
to dis, .sct the Southerners who are
worki,. TO uphold and sustain the Pres
idenL.
Johp Young Brown Interview cd
Tie cFoster-Matthews Letter.
LOUISVILLE, March 2S.-To-morrow'
Courier Journal will contain an inter
with Hon. John Yonng Brown, of Ken
tucky, y no ssy;: Herewith publish 8
letter from Hon. Charles Foster and
Stanley Mstthews, addressed to Hon,
John B. Gordon and myself. The cir
cumstsnce attending their origin are, IN
briet, as follows: On the 18th Ot
February last | sent page
from tie House of Representatives to
the Senate Chamber for my distinguish.
4 .-,nrA Can EnrAnn that | Mnntl.i Al