The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-07-07

President entertainS an aversion for me
that would render me powerless to conduct
an efficient campaign. | had reluctantly
agreed to accept it because | thought |
could best bring about a thorough union
between the Republicans and Reformers,
and thus carry the State for Hayes and
Wheeler That it can be done by giving
the Reformers the congressional nomina-
tons in the second, third and fourth dis
tricts, | have every reasonable conviction
In the second and fourth districts they
propose to nominate }. Morrison Harris
and Prof. Butler, both of whom are Repub-
Ecans. As am now out of the way, hav
ing stepped down and OUT can sec no
reason why you and Mr.. Thomas should
not consult together to accomplish this
object, and | have advised him to seek an
Interview with you. 1t is my intention to
never have anything to do again with the
machinery of State politics, as my past
experience has been such as to disgust me
beyond recovery. 70 produce harmony in
the party, MIR. Reese ought to be removed
from the custom house, and Mr. Booth Also
II possible, as 1t Is now run in the interest
of Gov. Carroll Gov. Bowie and the arch
bishop. | recommended e.. Irving Ditty
for United States Marshal, who finally
agreed to accept it if rendered, with the
condition that he was to be allowed to
retire the day after the election. | believed
that rebel colonel protecting the negro at
the polls would be great object obtained,
backed as he would be 10y ii thousand ex
rebel deputies. The President thought so
also, but for some reason has since changed .
his mind
| However, all | want is harmony and an
earnest and combined effort to overthrow
the ring Democracy. SO that we may reap
the victory next Fail which we were cheated |
out of last November. | have stood aside !
in the interest of peace in the hope that | |
was thus removing the only obstacle TO har- |
mony and success. Respectfully yours,
CHAs. c. FULTON.
| This read well, and sounded as if Mr. |
| Futon had at last been taught by adversely |
! that political operations must be conducted |
npon higher principles than a desire to
accomplish merely selfish ends. | replied |
promptly and cordially:
WASHINGTON, D. c., June 81, 1876.
Chas. G.. Fulton, Esq.-My Dear Sir: |
| \ our note of the 2jth instant was II ceived
and read by me with great pleasure. The |
| spirit which pervades the whole commune !
cation is heartily recprocated. | sincerely |
| approve the sentiment you express when
you say: All ] want is harmony and an
earnest and combined effort to overthrow
the ring Democracy, so that we may reap
| the victory next Fall which we were cheated
out of last November We must harmon
ize, we must unite; and, with that view
and purpose, | now invite you to meet me
at my house in this city Corner of Nine
teenth and | streets on any evening you
may name for a frank and full conference
upon all subjects, the discussion and right
decision OF which may contribute to the
result we both have SO much at heart, to-
wit, the permanent triumph of the Repub-
lican party in Maryland.
Let it be understood that I do not ask
you to abandon any one of your friends, as
| certainly shall not abandon any one of
mine. propose that all your friends and
all my friends and all the friends of all
other Republicans shall be included in our
compact for harmony and victory; and
further propose that our first and constant
effort shall be to extend the lines of our
party far enough and wide enough to EN-
brace every voter who justly prizes the
honor and prosperity of our State, and who
is ready to make common cause with us to
promote the peace, security and happiness
of all her people. Very truly yours,
JOHN n. J. CREswELL.
consultation was speedily arranged
and held at my house in Washington, on
the night of the Goth June, 1876, at which
Mr.. Fulton insisted that there could be no
harmony unless changes were conceded in
the offices of the Collector and Marshal,
and | urged that the State central commit
tee be reformed SO as to have five or six
new men substituted in the representation
from Baltimore City, and that Mr.. Thomas
should retire from the craftsmanship, ex.
pressing at the same time a willingness to
accept MIR. Fulton as chairman in his place
The merits of number of prominent Re-
pubhcans were discussed with reference to
the Collectorship. Mr.. Fulton returned to
Baltimore the same night, and on the next
day forwarded me Il letter of which copy
follows:
BALTIMORE, June So 1876
lilo" i, i j. tnN"dt-!'ear Sir: After think
ing over our conversation without conSult:t-
lion with amy one, would urge the appoint
nent of Colonel wilkins as collector il there
is an unwillingncSS to give ii to Mr. Thomas
am satisfied that Col. Wilkins would nave no
disposition I" act unfairly or TO persccute any
good republican, and Whatever influence /
might possess over HIM would be exercised in
behalf OF peace and harmony. As to the mar
as the essential toa vigorous campaign.
Respectfully, yours, CHAS Z. FULTON.
forthwith exhibited this letter to the prc>j-
dent, and stated the whole ease to him. Mr.
Booth had been sick for some weeks and was
then nj Long branch. 1t WAS conceded on all
sides that us an officer he was uncxcepti, nablc
Tie objections To him came from the fnaIron
tents, and were only political The President
said Mr.. Booth had often assured him thai,
owing To tn" state of his health lie was DESTROYS
OF beng relieved from the ColIcctorshi9 "a: any
Time his resignation might be acceptable ana
hat he the President therefore felt at liberty
To ask him to resign. if il was believed that
amy good could heaccumpli>hed by iieappont-
menl Of Gel. Wilkins. The resignation of Mr.
Booth being received Cnl. wilkins was made
Collector, and it WAS understood that there
would be II change in the craftsmanship and
| personnel OF tue State Central Committee, and
also i'll the Marshalship, if Thereby a harmon
iouS and effective campaign could be organized.
There was no bargain, contract or agreement
that Col. wilkins was to retire at the end OF
General Grants term, and thus make way for
Mr.. Thomas: and when Mr.. Fulton boasts in
his paper of this morning OF such II bargain he
cNults in his own periy and shame 4 letter
of which the following is n copy, forwarded by
me to President Hayes, gives the facts in tuli:
WASH SGroN, D. c., June Sth, 1877.
To HIS Erceiticy RatberfJrt &. Wtyss. President If
The intel StHt,&.-Dtar SRA copy of COM
muIication oyer the signature OF Charles e.
self, has just been shown me. That cnmimuni-
cat ON was maniteslly intended to mislrad
your EXcell"ncy and us to some of its state
mentS demands II contradiction from me-
The appointment of Col. wilkins as Collector
OF t!'r Port OF baltimore was made by Prr>i-
dent Grant at my Request after an Interview
| will Mr.. Fulton, i'll which he stated that Il
change in the dictatorship and MarShal's office
was, IN his opinion, necessary to secure har-
mony in the Republican party of Maryland
and after Mr.. Fulton himself had urged the
was not requested by President Grant until
after had made known to him the choice OF
| interest of peace. Mr.. Booth was Il warm per-
Sonal friend of both the President and myself
He had proved an excellent officer and his
| resignation was requested in the hope Of salts
| tying Mr.. Fulton, and for no other reason The
assertion thatl intertered after the resignation
~ Mr. Booth to prevent the appointment III
| Mr.. Thomas is entirely without foundation.
| The appointment OF Mr.. Thomas was not fnrn
in contemplation, and President Grant told me
that he had never promised to appoint him.
II Col. wilkins ever gave Mr.. Fulton posi-
tive assurance" that he would he willing To
| retire at time favor MIR Thomas il
was given without my approval or knowledge.
such Il proposition was never submitted or in
| timatad to ne, and If made, would have been
| instantly rejected as | was thoroughly coa-
| WINGED then, AS now, of the uHiitneSS of Mr..
| Thomas for the place II is due, however to
Col. w ilklns to say that am entirely SAT iSfied
that he never agreed to resign at the expiration
OF Gen. Grants term, or ut any other time in
| favor ct Mr. Thomas. Col. Wilkins was not
present, or advised of the interview between
Mr.. Fulton and mTsrlt, and could not have
| known that he would !,e agreed upon us the
Collector, because his name selected iroGl a
number that were suggested and discussed,
The charge that | co-operatel with Col. Will
kinS to hamper and weaken the influence