The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-03-28
FOSTER MATTHEWS.
The Alleged Presidential Agree
ment With the South.
Views of Washington Correspond
euts and pOIttsctaus.


Especial Dispatch to the E,ening Jourlal.)
MATrHtws-FoSrYR
WASHINGTON ID. c.. March %. The
publication to-day OF the details OF an
agreement MADE by Stanley Matthews
aud Representative Charles Foster. who
Assumed TO speak Tor President Hayes
with several Southern Democrats,
whereby the latter prevented the success
OF the filibustering movement in the
house during the electoral count. has
created much excitement among pol
iticans, and is the subject OF gen
erai conversation. The Republicans
including President Hayes and members
OF his cabinet. are greatly disturbed at
this disclosure, and the latter say frankly
that they are as much aStonished as the
general public at the revelations made
Inquiry was made OF two or three cabinet
members, to-day. as TO the truth of the
statements made. but IN every case the
answer was that they knew nothing. and
could only express their surprise if
Messrs. Matthews and Foster had under
taken TO give pledges in behalf OF Presi-
dent Hayes, in advance of his being de-
clared president, and without the slight
est authority from him to do so. The
course of Matthews and Foster is severely
condemned: by the better class of Repub-
licans, who believe that the dis.
closures made will have the
effect 10 embarrass the president and his
in trying 10 effect set
Element OF the existing complications.
In an interview with Senator Gordon. to
day. he said 10 your correspondent that
he was greatly surprised at the publica-
ton, and regretted that the facts had
leaked out al this time. Ii was true. he
said. that he went TO Mr.. Foster. as al
legged. and told him that he would en-
deayor 10 prevent the count from being
completed unless some guarantees or
pledges were given "a TO the course 10
be pursued by Mr.. Hayes administra.
ton. 81 don't know" said the senator.
that | would have done anything. or that
| would have extended sufficient in
tluence TO have prevented the completion
of the count, but concluded 10 try lit
tie bull-doZing OF Foster, and succeed
ed admirably. He took the matter in
hand. and the result was that both he
and Stanley Matthews made written
pledges. in letters addressed to me. but
which were never in my hands, although
| nave seen them. These letters were
general in their character. and pledged
the administration 10 give Us local self.
GOV eminent and home-ruic in the south.
There was nothing in them ABOUT with
drawal OF tie troops, but we, o
course. understood that this .woHlC
| follow. What purports 10 III extracts from
| Matthews aud Eyart- letters are publish
ed. but they are not genuine. although
giving very nearly the tenor OF what /
set forth i'll them DO you think Pres
4
| ident Hayes knew OF this compact or Wa
a party 10 it:'' asked your correspond
ent. II knew he was not" said Gordon
land this you can say in tn
most positive manner. But Eos
ter and Matthews. felt that thei
relations with IIr. Hayes wer
such that they could speak for him, but
am certain that he was not consulted il
the matter. Copies oil the letters wer'
made and handed around 10 Democrat,
a. soon as received. but have neither ia,
originals nor cOpie., and. therefore
could not furnish the inll text, II was -
disposed. don't CONSIDER that there La
been any violation OF the pledges givel
az yet, although | think the president
pursuing wrong course just now.
either Hampton or Nichols should z
| under ] should feel it 10 be my duty =
| assail the Transaction. and to show II M
in its true light. But az present ! an
content TO wait the action OF the president
! and his administration"