The Portland daily press., 1877-01-05

THE Washingtoy correspondent of the
Boston Advertiser says that Cronin's testi-
mony has created great excitement there.
1t will be remembered that Cronin acknowl-
edged that he received $4,000 for his share of
the Oregon trick. Growers price is not
known. The correspondent says: Cronin's
confession fills the Democrats with great dis
may. If it was a Republican they could
prove an abb, as they do in the South when
Democrat is accused of killing negro, or
could soften the hard features of the story by
making an effort TO contradict it. But Cro-
min is their own witness. He has performed
great service for the party, and since he has
been here they have entertained him as if he
were prince OF the royal blood. He admits
no wrong on his part. He simply admits
that he was approached by one of Tilden's
agents and offered the best office in Oregon if
he would carry out the plan that was pro-
posed to steal an electoral vote, and Tilden's
he learned how Indignantly the virtuous
Cronin spurned his offer. This is what
makes the Democrats mad at Cronin. This
confession makes it necessary for Governor
Tilden to explain this ''reform'' movement
OF which Patrick of Omaha was the apostle.
But while Cronin refused to be party to
any corrupt bargain, he Says he was open to
conviction, and after being persuaded that he
had right to vote instead of Watts, he
agreed to cast it and carry out the plot first
proposed to him by Patrick, provided he re-
ceived $4,000 in advance to pay his expenses,
etc. His expenses, so far as he figures them,
including travel. hotel bills and "entertain-
ment," have been $400. His railroad fare
back to Oregon and entertainment till he
reaches home cannot be more than $400
more, and Cronin says he believes he is to
keep the balance of the money for his trouble
wear and tear of mind etc. He is not to
render an account of expenses to anybody,
nor is he responsible, except to his own con-
science that the money is well spent. He
was paid in advance in three drafts, on which
he had already realized the cash. One
draft was for $4OO, another for $1,000
| and another for $500. The drafts were
| made on Governor Tiden's bankers. How
ever plausibly Cronin made his explanation,
| it is not satisfactory TO the Democrats, and
| they make no effort to conceal their indigna-
ton. Yesterday Cronin was hero, to-day
| he is knave to them. He will no longer
| show his feet under the mahogany of the
| Democratic nabobs here. He is an outcast.
The leading Democrats have been buzzing
around all the afternoon in little knots, and
Cronin's confession was the topic of CONVEX
sation. Mr.. Hewitt was in the Senate cham
ber for an hour or more, and heard from the
lips of Senator Herman, who is member o.
the committee on privileges and elections, a
reliable account Of the proceedings. He
went and talked with Gordon, Bayard and
others, and then went over to the House and
sought consolation in Springer's bosom. He
consulted Payne, Hunton and other confid.
ants and then retired. 1t is understood that
he will repudiate Cronin in Tilden's name
and insist that Patrick Of Omaha is not re.
sponsible party. If Mr.. Hewitt does this he
will make it difficult for Patrick and Mr.
Tilden's bankers in New York to get out Of
the scrape. They have been subponed and
commanded to bring the drafts they paid to
the order of Cronin, and it is difficult to see
how Hewitt is to explain away all this mat
ter without proving Cronin a liar. At any
rate whatever hopes Tilden may have had O
getting into the Presidency on that Oregon
vote are effectually disposed of. A Aprominen
Democratic member of Congress in convers a
tion On the subject said that things mus
have come to an unfortunate state in tn,
Democratic party when member of tina
party and a nominee for so honor able al
Office as elector must be paid for doing hi
duty.
THE statement frequently made that Turn
l al -. NJ, w.