The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-10-31
THE ALLEGED CIPHERTELEGRAMs.
Interview with Col. w. r. Cathcart, Late
Manager of the Western Union Telegraph
Company at Columbia.

The publication of alleged kilograms
in the New York Tribune, purporting to
have been sent from Columbia pending
the count of the electoral vote in 1876,
and which seek TO establish an attempt
to purchase the Radical Returning Board
of this State, has induced reporter of
the Register to interview Colonel w.
R. Cathcart, of this city who was man
ager of the Western Union Telegraph
Company at the time it is alleged these
dispatches were sens. 1t will be seen
from the report below that Colonel
Cathcart thinks the publication in the
Tribune has been manufactured for
political effect, rs be denies that any
such dispatches were sent or received
through his office. The following is the
result of the interview:
Reporter-"Were you connected with
the Western Union Telegraph Company
during the campaign of 1876 aud the
winter following~
Colonel Cathcart-"I was manager of
the Western Union Telegraph Company
in this city at the time mentioned, had
been for tenysars previous, and remain
ed in that position until November,
1877, when Iresigned to 60 into another
business"
R.-As manager of the Office, did
you see all the kilograms sent and re-
ceived during and after the campaign?"
Cit was my duty as manager,
which was strictly carried out, to inspect
every telegram chat passed through the
Office; if not possible on the day of send
ing or receiving, I always did so the
next morning. This was done to main
tain what 1 considered proper control
of the business of the Office"
R.--"Have you any distinct recollec-
ton of the kilograms forwarded in the
early part of November relative to the
electoral vote in South Carolina, by
whom they were sent, from whom an
swers were returned, and the nature of
the dispatches?"
CT regret my inability to answer
that question. I. have always regarded
kilograms as privileged communica-
tions, and the contents could not be made
known with any greater propriety than a
postmaster could break the seal of let
ter. was summoned several times be-
fore the courts and legislative commit
tees, ordered to produce kilograms which
were claimed to have passed through my
Office, but I refused to testify or produce
the dispatches, and was directed by the
company to procure counsel. My idea
of doing justice to the public and pro-
tecting the company's interests being
sustained by points of law produced by
counsel on the different occasions, there
was nothing disclosed in relation to any
communications passing through my
Office, and in every instance was sue
cessful in defeating any attempt made to
violate the privileges of the public. l
am unwilling even now to disclose any
thing that came to my knowledge as
manager Of the Western Union Tele-
graph Company, and would regard it as
violation Of honor to do So"
RIFF you have seen the dispatches
printed in the New York Tribune of the
18th instant, please state whether or not
you think them authentic ?"
CT will state in reply to that
question, that while have already stated
my inability and unwillingness to dis
close the contents of any telegram pass
ing over the company's wires, on read
ing the kilograms alluded to, l was not
only surprised at the pretended contents,
but they impressed me as being su-
premely ridiculous. There was nothing
transpired, to my present. recollection,
that warranted she slightest suspic-
ion on my part. While stating my
opinion as to what was not done, I do
not pretend to give what was done by the
managers of either political party"
R.-"Do you remember Smith NJ
Weed, who was here soon after the
election. and whether any of his dis
patches to the North indicated that he
was trying to purchase the electoral vote
of South Carolina from the Republican
Board of State Canvassers 2"
CO remember Mr.. Weed, and do
not know of his having q purpose of
that kind, never suspected itand never
had it intimated, and know of nothing
to indicate such purpose on his part.
His sojourn was quite brief, and he
visited the Office very seldom, transact
ing very little business with it."
R.-"Were you called upon by the
Congressional committee, of which Mil
ton Sayle. was chairman, to furnish
evidence from your office, and what be-
came of the telegrams sent and received
during that period ?"
C.N"Anticipating the arrival of that
committee, and what would naturally
be one of their points of investigation,
telegraphed to headquarters Of the com
pany, asking instructions what should