Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-02-05
From the New York Times.
Pickett,

John T. Pickett, according to his own autobiog-
rapby given to David Dudley Fields Oste Knots
committee, has led a checkcred, eventual, and
diplomatic career. Pickett was a ligadier Gen
eral under kossnth, a Major General under SAN
II Anna, Minister PlcnipotentiaIy linear the
Government of Mexico" under JEFFERSON Davis
and at one time held a position of some sort by
appointment of Gen. Walker when that gray-cyed
man Of destiny was iilibuseriug in Nicaragua.
He has also been in the United States consular
service, was a Colonel in the confederate Army,
Caief of Staff TO Gen. Breckinridge at various
I mes; and, twenty-seyen years ago, be "sirack
blow for the independence of Cuba :" when all was
over and he felt that the Confederacy was no more
he gathered up the rebel archives and sold them
to the United States Government for thirty five
thousand dollars. This soldier of fortune is very
dear to the heart of Mr.. David Dudley Field.
The fertile genius of Pickett perceived a glor-
Gus opportunity in what is popularity known as the
Louisiana complication. He says that he, being
a democrat believed that Louisiana had gone foi
Tilden But, as other men might not SO believe
and as the returns against his candidate he
beheld a new chance forputting an honest penny
= his purse. To him then entered as ia the nick
of time, an emssary-Aiaddox by name-who
was ready to help to complete a bargain by which
the State should be secured for Illden for the tri-
fling sum of one million dollars. There was
nothing mean about Pickett. lie felt that he conld
secure the Louisiana Electoral vote for much less
sum. Indeed, be subsequently told Mr.. Abrahm
Hewitt that the thuE could be done for 5000
900. A cool half million was the minimum pile"
demanded for the vote, and the tliiiDg sum of
Sj00 600 was added his own fee for conducting
fl.a 10TH lnf hp rart1A not st..
faces Of the poor; a round million he thought
ought to be forthcoming. This honest gentleman
ssys that his heart was wrlng when he thought Of
forty millions Of people abont TO be delivered over
to another republican Administration, and all for
the want Of paitiy million Of dollar. The forty
millions, he said, knew that lilden was elected
aud would be wOeiully disappointed if be did NOT
get the Electoral vote OF Louisiana.
II seems that Pickett met various democratic
statesmen who were much Of his way OF think NO
Mr.. Hewitt, he says, approved of what be was
doing, and SAID that If he tlIcwitt) was in his
(Picketts) place he should do what Pickett was
doing-go about the country 10 sell out the Ecc-
toral vote OF Louisiana. 10 be sure il does not
appear that Pickett could deliver the goods: but
be expressly declares that If he could only get
$4,000 he would be willing 10 Give in sackcloh
and ashes" for the remainder Of his days. IL is
understood that Picketts idea, A. ~ lie value OF
sackcoth aud ashes are more eXtrayagant than
those OF mOst people. Moreover, IN the Spartan
virtue OF his determ nation he was willing TO give
the coveted $4,000 10 the widows and orphans of
the Coaiederscy, keeping only the penItenual
saekcloth and ashes for his own private use. The
spectacle OF this good mans selling eight Electo-
raj votes Tor casu and giving his so, 900 fee 70
the widows and orphans, and spending the remain
der Of his days in sackclOth and ashes Is aeul At
ed 10 move the heart Of the most cailous politi-
clan.
John Monissey seems 70 have seen things in
some such light. Pickett says that this eminent
statesman remarked that he would buy the eight
Electoral votes as be would buy an equal number
Of pigs 10 open market. Mr.. MOrii,sey, he says
thought it was quite right to pay man for doing
right provided the man wOaidnt do il with
out pay OF course, he who paid the money
must decide whether the thing required was right
or wr3ng. Tits is the stare u ike view winch
Mr. Tweed used to take of legi lat on. Ii be be-
lieytd that his little bill ought to pass, why shou
he not give a Senator handsome check for yot-
ing for il, since be could not be made to do his
duiy in siy other way And, lest some censori
Gus person should object to this line Of argument
on ib- part Of Mr.. Morissey, the ingenious