Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-22
COYLE,s DISCLAIMER.

He Denies HarinO Sent AnU Such Cipher
dispatches as dre Laid at HIS Door.
To the Editor of the New York Sun:
On the 9th of November, 1876, was COM
missioned by the National Democratic COM
Mite to go to Florida, and left that night.
The object of my visit was to aid our friends
there IN obtaining true vote of the State,
and, If possible, true count by the return
ing board. l was authorized to use such
means as might be necessary for procuring
the attendance of witnesses. and such other
proper expenses as might be required to at
tain that end. A few minutes before my de-
parture member of the National commit
tee presented me to gentleman about to
leave on the same train with me, whose ac-
qnaintance with Florida politicians, he said,
might be of use to me. / left that night,
but failed to connect al Richmond with the
through train. On reaching Weldon found
telegram from Col. Pelton, which read
about as follows:
Hold no communication with the per-
son to whom you were introduced in the
committee room before leaving here. Writ
ten"
had not seen the gentleman from the
time left New York until about to take the
train to Weldon. My suspicious of him
being thus aroused, endeavored to have as
little communication with him as possible.
He was inclined to talk-I only listened.
At Wilmington similar telegram reached
me, and the same awaited me at Charleston,
Savannah and Jacksonville. At the latter
place found the expected letter from Col.
Pelton, cautioning me against holding any
intercourse with this or any other person
who might breach the subject of using
money.
With these cautions, was not surprised
when my travelling companion began to on
tighten me upon the efficacious use to which
ne could apply a very large sum of money,
and he claimed to be able to secure from
the returning board favorable deci-
sion of the result. The proposition was
so absurd, and the trap Gf it was 30 intend
ed) SO manifest, I enjoyed it, and said was
not authorized to purchase returning boards.
The gentleman and separated at Live Oak.
he going to Tallahassee and I to Jackson
vile. On leaving me he urged me to con-
slder his proposition, and I replied as before
l remained at Jacksonville OILY day or
two, going to Tallahassee, and was accompa-
MED by Col. Call, a member Of the national
com mittee; by Gen. p. M. Is. Young, COL
Lanton, of Georgia: aud some gentlemen of
Florida, whose names | cannot now recall.
At Live Oak we met Messrs. Marble, Biddle,
Sellers, and other gentlemen invited by the
national committee to visit Florida during
the count,
At some station between Live Oak and
Tallahassee, where we dined. I again met the
person, who was returning from Tallahassee
to Jacksonville to hunt me up, as he said,
and, of course, he removed his p opositions.
and again assured him my authority was
confined to aiding the Democrats of Florida
in obtaining true, fair count. / could not
persuade him. however, of it, and he entered
into particulars as to the division of the
sum. 1t was to be divided into six unequal
parts. He then assured me he had obtained
full authority, and would meet me again. |
rejoined our friends, and to several of them
| repeated the proposition Just made, which
was enjoyed as d joke. l was frequently an
noyed during my stay in Florida by over
lures from the same source, none of which
did I communicate to New York I saw
nothing more of this person in Tallahassee
OK cept on the streets.
A night or two before the conclusion OF
the count, a gentleman called at tho house
where Mr.. Marble was staying, and requested
most urgently to see Mr.. Marble or Mr.
Coy]e, as he had an important communica-
ton to make. MIR. Marble was absent, and
Mr.. Saltonstall came to the hotel where
was staying, ana told me :f the urgent bust
ness this gentleman said he had to cemmuui-
cate, and requested me to see him but on
his describing him, found it to be the same
person who had so persistently followed me
with his proposition, nd l declined to set
him. I shall not soon forget Mr.. Salton.
stalls Indignation, and Mr.. Woolley's, also.
This is the only proposition I ever heard OF
while in Florida, and this was ridiculed by
us all there.
I disclaim the TRANSACTIONS of the kilograms
imputed to me by the Tribune over the sig
nature Of ''Max,'' more especially the one
containing the words "nothing but cash viii
answer" No such telegram was ever sem
by me, and no telegram was sent by me Other
than upon the business I was empowered te
transact. never wrote or saw any tele
gram from Messrs. Wooley or Marble unit
those imputed to these gentlemen appeared
in the Tribune, and though in daily and
hourly intercourse with them, never hearc
any illusion to such being sent, or of any
proposition to purchase the vote of the State
other tina the one above described.
JOHN F. CoYLE.