The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-01-01
THE PRESIDENTIAL SITUATION
An Interview with President
..... Grant.
He Believes Another Election
Possible.
Latest from all the Centers of
Interest.
ociated Press to tho Star.

National Associated Press to tho star
WASHINGTON, Jan 1.-The President
yesterday, in an interview with an agent
Of the National Associated Press, be-
sides other subjects of conversation,
alluded with particular emphasis and
detail to the political situation in the
so-called contested States OF the South.
He observed that he had received no
letters or kilograms from there for at
least ten days, which indicated to
him a most satisfactory state OF
things, With reference to the
rest of the recent elections, Cover
nors Chamberlain, Stearns and Kellogg,
the constituted authorities of south
Carolina, Florida and Louisiana, had
made no requlsitions upon MIN in that
time. for aid or assistance In any shape
whatever. which was sufficient evil
denoe. IN his mind, that they felt i'm
plicit confidence in the continuance of
the present status Of affairs. In speak
ing more specifically, he said that, while
he had heard nothing directly from the
authorities in those States, he had been
fully advised of the progress OF events,
by persons who had been requested to
90 there and had but just returned.
He then spoke In detail Of the election
in those three States believing that the
three should be counted for Hayes and
Wheeler. He put Florida down for
them by 100 majority.
In regard to Louisiana, 1t was the
opinion of one who had been there, and
who had subsequently conVersed with
him on the subject, that the action OF
the Board was final, and that there Is no
appeal from its decision. He said there
mad always Deen trouble in that State
on account OF the frauds committed at
the elections; that 1T was a TACT that the
Electoral vote OF Louisiana had not ecu
counted in any Presidential election
since 1850. s....
In speaking generally, he said that he
did not think that there had been fair
election, where the people would come
to the polls and vote, as they would in
New England, in any OF the Southern
States, except perhaps in Delaware; ;
that IN Maryland, ii there had been a
tree electiop, at least three Republican
Congressmen would have been elected /;
that in Mississippi there was Repub-
lican majority OF at least thirty-fve
thousand; instead OF which, at the late
election, there was Democratic major
ity Of about fty-eight thousand; thai in
Alabama and Arkansas there was also a
legitimate Republican majority.
By way oil comment upon the lntensl-
ty of the political sentiments enter
tained by large portion OF the people
Of the South, he said that If by any
means the contest should finally result
in the choice OF Mr.. Tilden, not one oil
of the NJ Republican Governors
in the South could stand twenty
four hours. In reference to the
Democratic contestants for authority in
South Carolina and Louisiana, he
thought they would continue to hold out
until the Presidential contest was final
ly disposed CT, and, il favorable to the
Republicans, they would quickly dis
band, but II, on the contrary, it is favor
able TO the Democrats, they would un-
der the auspices of the National Gov
ernment doubtless make summary dis
position of the Republican authorities,
and they might consider themselves ior-
tunate ii allowed to leave at all.
In speak ng of Hampton's letters to
Governor Hayes, as he mad seen 1t
printed in the newspapers, he thought
1t was in keeping with other acts Of that
person. He did not think that, as mat
ters stood now in South Carolina, they
could be legally reversed. He thought
that the act OF the Legislature, which
was empowered by the law TO canvass
the vote for Governor and other State
Offices, could not be set aside.
The Presidents opinion as to the
counting of the Presidential vote
agrees with the general Republican
opinion. He thinks it possible that a
new election may be ordered for June,
the President of the Senate to act as
President in the meanwhile, and the in
auguration to take place July 4. .