Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-02-19
From the New York Times
The Oregon Conspiracy.

Let us hope that the worst Of the Tilden con
spiracy to steal the Presidencyis out ri fast Ger
tainly there ought to be no ,bwer depth of infamy
than that revealed in the dispatches between
Creamery Park and Oregon. Reading these tele-
grams, the American people will see candidate
for the Presidency, man who claims to be elect
ed to that high office, conspiring with to bride
Electors and fraudulently to obtain the Electoral
vote Of sovereign State. This iniquty cannot
be put off upon some irresponsible agent The
negotiations are made directly with Tilden and
Tildens nephew, Pelton The communications
are sent to Tilden's own house, No. l5 Gramercy
Park. This infamous correspondence, so far as
now made public, begins with Nov. 2S. There
were other dispatches to prepare the way, but on
that date Patrick, confidential agent in Oregon for
Tilden, telegrsphed as follows:
PORTLAND, Nov. %.
W. T. Pelton, No 10 Gramerey Park, New York !:
Certificate will be issued to one democrat.
Must purchase a republican Elecor to recognize
and act with democrats and secure the vote and
prevent trouble. Deposit $4,000 to my credit
with Kountze Brothers. Wall street. Answer.
j. Ii. N. PATRICK.
fully indorse this. JAMES X. KELLEY.
PORTLAND, Now
the history Of the Oregon conspiracy. There was
one democrat-Cronin-who claimed the right to
participate in the Electoral College of Oregon.
Patrick tells Tiden through his nephew, that Gev.
Grover will give Cronin his certificate; but, in or
der to get him into the Electoral College, the vote
OF republican elector must be Soug hit, 'to pre-
vent trouble." He wants $4,000 deposited to bis
(Patiick's) credit in New York. Kelley, demo-
cratic Senator from Oregon, telegraphs his in
dorsement Of this propos ition to bride an Eector
But $4,000 seemed too much money to risk on
what appeared to be doubtful venture. Tilden
or his managing man replied thus:
NEW YORK, Nov. 20.
j. ii. n. Patrick, Portland, Oregon:
No. INV soon will Gov. decide certfcatei If
you make obligation contingent on result in March
it can't be done and incremable slightly, if neces-
sary. No signature
This was exercising Il at foxy caution for which
the "railroad lawyer" is so famous. No cash to
be paid until it was known when Grover would
settle the business by giving Cronin his certificate
Even then, if possible Tilden would prefer to put
of the payment until the Presidency was fairly
his. He would pay in March, and the payment
should be "incremsble," or, as one might say, sin
ereasAble," or TO be added to- He would psy
Slightly" more in March than in November.
but ct all events, the biibe must be "contingen Mt
on results" The wary candidate would not buy
promises. On the next day, the democratic CON
spirators 10 Oregon, seeing that Tilden expected
I, buy Grover, as well as the rest OF the crew
sent this se-assuring message:
PORTLAND Nov. 80.
w. T. Peiton. No. Is Gramercy Park, New York
Governor all right without reward. VIII issue
certificate. Tuesday. This q secret. Republicans
threaten certificate is issued to ignore democrats
claims and Gil vacancy, and thus defeat action OF