The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-10-18
Mr.. Tilden's Indignant Denial of any
Knowledge of the Tribune Cipher
TeIegrams.

card from Mr.. Tlden is published. have
read publications in the Tribune of the 9Th
inst. purporting TO be translations of ci-
pher kilograms relating to the canvass of
votes in Florida at the presidential election
of 1876, and have looked over those printed
in the Tribune of this morning relating to
the canvass in South Carolina, have no
knowledge of the existence of these tele-
grams nor any information about them ex-
cept what has been derived from or since
the publication of the Tribune. So much
for these telegrams-generally. / shall
speak yet more specifically as TO some Of
them
First, those which relate to an offer pur-
porting to have been made in behalf of
some member of the state board of cam
vsssers of Florida, to give Tor pecuniary
compensation certificates to the democrats
elected who had been actually chosen.
None of these telgrams,t nor any telegram
communicating such offer, or answering
such offer, or relating to such offer, was
seen by me, translated to me, or the con-
tents of it in any manner made known to
me, [ had 40 knowledge of the existence
or purport of any telegram relating to that
subject nor did learn the fact that such
an offer of Florida certificates had been
made until long after the 9th of December,
at which time the certificates were deliv-
cred and the electoral votes cast aud when
the information casually reached me as of
a past event, it was accompanied by the
statement that the offer had been rejected.
Secondly, as to the publication in the
Tribune of this morning purporting to be
translations of eopiesof kilograms relating
RI a Oc 4 khfaax ,1fE
lima in 1876, which [ have seen since |
no less definitely aud positively. No one
such telegram, either in cipher or trans
lated, was ever shown to or its contents
made known to me. No offer or negotia-
ton in behalf of the state canvassers Of
South Carolina, or any of them. or any
dealing with any of them, in respect to the
certificates to electors were ever authorized
or sanctioned in any manner by me, di-
reetly or through any other person. l
will add that no offer to give the certi6-
Gates of any returning board or state
canvassers OF any state to the demo-
cratic electors in consideration of the
promises of Offices or money or prop
erty; no negotiations Of that nature in
behalf OF any member of such board or
with any such member; no attempt to in
fuence the action of any elector for presi-
dent and vice-president by such motives
was ever entertained, considered, or toll
Grated by me or anybody within my in
| fuence, by my consent or with my knowl-
edge or acquiesence. No such contem>
plated transaction could at any time have
come within the range of my power with
out that power being instantly exerted to
crush it out. The belief was doubtless
current that certificates from the state of
Florida conforming to the actual vote of
the people were in the market. Il have
not the slightest doubt 10 the world" said
Mr.. SAltonstall, who was in Florida at the
| tine, in a recent interview with the Her
aid. that the Florida vote could have
been bought if Mr.. Tilden had been dis
honorable enough to desire it done, for a
great deal less than $4,000 or $4,000 -
1t was known that either one of the two
members who composed the majority of
the Florida State Canvassers could control
its action and give the certificate to the
democrats. Either one of them could
settle the presidential controversy in favor
Of the democl attic candidate, who lacked
but one vote. How accessible to venaI
inducements they were is shown by the
testimony of McLin, chairman of the board
of state canvassers. In his examination
before the Potter committee in June last
he admitted that the true vote of the peo'
pie Of Florida was 10 favor of the demo
cratic electors, and that fact even appeared
on the face of the county returns, including
among them the true returns from Baker
county, notwithstanding the great frauds
against the democrats in the same county
returns He also confessed that in voting
to give the certificate to the republican
electors he acted under the influence oi
promises that he should be rewarded ir
case Mr.. Hayes became president. adding
that certainly these promises must have
had strong control over my Judgment and
actions. After the certificates of the
Louisiana returning board had been re
peatedly offered to Mr.. Hewitt and others
for money, they we're given in favor o
the republican electors, who had beer
: rejected by a large majority of vo
teTs, and the members of this Returning
Board now possess the most importan
federal Offices in that state. The preg
nant fact always remains that none o
these corrupt boards gave their certificate
] to the democratic electors, but they al
did give them to the republican electors
. had a perfectly fixed purpose. from
! which | never deviated in word or act,
: purpose which was known to or assumes
, by all with whom | was in habitual com
! munication. If the presidency of th
g United States was to be disposed of b
!, certificates to be won from corrupt re
turning boards by any form of venal in
: ducements, whether of offices or money,
40 oh ~ = oh a
= full competition; and | took none. Th
g main interest of the victory which result
. ed In my election was the expectatio
: that through the chief magistracy sys
: tenn of reforms, similar to that which ha
: been accomplished 10 our metropolis an
!. in our state administration would
! achieved by the federal government. Fc
this object it was necessary that shoul
be untrammeled by any commitment j
the choice of men TO execute the officls
q trusts of the government anduntrammele
J. by any obligation to their special interest
! | had been nominated and / was electe
without one limitation TO my perfect ind
# pendence. To have surrendered or con
q promised the advantage of this positio
V by degrading competition for returnin
= board certificates would have been |
q abandon all that made victory desirable
!. everything which could have sustained n
!. in the larger struggle, or that victor
!. would have imposed upon m
:. was resolved to go into the Pre-
i idcntial chair 10 full command of all n
resources for usefulness, or not at q
~ While thus abstaining from ignominiol
: competition for such certificates, / saw tn
: certificates were obtained for the repub
- can electors, VITO had not been chosen
the people, aud denied to the dem
cratic electors, who had been chosen |
u IL III Il 4 Ii