The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-02-10
THE TILDEN FARCE.

When Mr. Tilden selected David
Dudley Field to make up" his Presi-
Dental case, the eminent fitness of the
selection was generally conceded The
responsibility that honester but weaker
men might have lent this cause, was
more than atoned for in the ineXhaust-
BILE resources of the bold baron of the
old Bailey. Familiar with fraud in all
its phases, learned in the school of New
York politics, no man possessed in so
high degree the requisite qualification
of Tilden "obiector." a dramatist
too of no mean order, he commands the
power to produce the most startling
effects, and that too with the meanest
material. Whose, but David Dudlev's
own mastery creation, was the melo-
dramatic play in which Maddox and
Pickett assume the leading roles? Two
character actors of rare talent in the
variety business lacked engagements.
The fact is, they were impecunious and
soied genuscs, compelled by stress Of
circumstances not to leave their couE-
try for their country's good. but to re-
main at home to be manipulated by the
mastery hand of the felicitous Field
Maddox, the meddIer, had in his pos
session two letters, one addressed to
himself by gentleman for whom all
Democrats have an especial admiration,
ex-Gov. Wells, of Louisiana; the other
to Senator West, of the same State to
be delivered by Maddox at Washing
Maddox, in confidence, is fact scarcely
necessary to be stated, in view of sub
sequent developments. That these let
tiers contained nothing material in evil
dcnce to convict Gov. Wells of any
fraudulent act, or intent no one knew
better than Field himself Indeed Mad
dox had exhibited them often to respect
able Democratic gentlemen, and bat lit
tie account had been taken of them.
either as displaying any criminal inten-
ton on the part Of their writer's, or as
COUP DE'TAT in the interest of Mr. Til
den. Now any ordinary sensationalst
would have submitted the letters them
selves to the House committee, and
would have offered the evidence of Mad
dox and Pickett in explanation of the
details of a transaction of which they
formed part But the shrewd mana
ger was well aware that the produc-
ton of the letters, however we'll forti-
fed by any available evidence, would
not accomplish the object in view
Holding them in reserve, the worthy
conspirators were called. Self-confessed
scamps, they unfolded a wondrous
story of the prefer of Wells to sell the
votes of Louisiana to the highest bid
der, all by implication, based upon the
letters in question. Pickett TELLS the
committee what Maddox TOLD him was
in the letters, supposed to be corrobora-
tive of the proffered bargain and sale,
all the while Maddox sitting by with
the letters in his possession. The COM
mittee adjourned for the day, the virtu-
Gus Maddox being in pain. Immedi-
ately the telegraph flashed the startling
story along its lines. The news is served
for an early breakfast. Good Demo
Gratis needed no other relish The sen
sation was lust as Field had intended
it, extremely profound. Blatant Demo
Gratis went up like inflated balloons,
weakened Republicans came down
like sticks. While honest men generally
were electrified with horror at the enornl-
ity of the disclosure, Field alone stood
unmoved.
The second days examination began
Expectation was painful ii view Of the
production of the browning evidence
of Wells guilt. The damning epistles
were produced.
New ORLEANS, Nov. 20, 1876.
To Mr.. j. II, Maddor, New Orleans:
Dear understanding the political
condition of matters here from association
with both political parties and a friend of
the President and Government officer,
would it not be considered 4 part of your
- to 60 at once to Washington with as
little delay as possible, aud place before
the President the condition and the pend
ing dangers OF the situation? Should you
conclude upon prompt action in the pre-
misses, allow me to commend you to Sena
ator West, who is my friend, and with
whom you will freely communicate.
Yours very truly,
J. MADISON WELLS.
New ORLEANS, La, Nov. 81, 1876.
Nh Dear .Sen1tOr-I regret much not see.