The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-10-23


kilograms, nor any information about
them except what has been derived from
ar since the publications in the Tribune.
So much for these kilograms generally
1 shall speak yet more specihcaily as q
some Of them.
First-Those which relate to an ofeI
purporting to ha%dbeen made IN oehall
of some member Of the State Board OF
Canvassers of Florida to give Tor q
peouniary compensation certificates 10 Inc
democratic electors who had been ac
tually chosen. None of these kilograms,
nor any telegram communicating such
offer. or answering such offer, or III re-
lation to such an offer, was seen by me-
translated to me, or the contents Of II IN
any manner made known to me. i had
no knowledge of the existence or purpOrt
of any telegram relating to that subject
nor did | learn the fact that such an
offer of the Florida certificates had been
made until long after the sixth Decem-
Der. at which time the certificates were
delivered and the electoral votes cast,
and when the information casually
reached me as of a past event. Ii YVES
accompanied by a statement that the offer
had been rejected.
Secondly-As to the publication in
| the Tribune of this morning, purporting
to be TRANSACTIONS of cipher kilograms
relating to the canvass Of votes in South
| Carolina in 1876, which / have seen
since | wrote the foregoing. can speak
of them no less definitely and positively
No one of such kilograms, either IN
| cipher or translated, was ever shown to
| l., L.. fg No
offer or negotiations in behalf the State
canvassers of South Carolina, or Of any
of them, or OF any dealing with any Of
them, in repect to such offer, was ever
authorized or sanctioned in any manner
| by me directly or through any other per.
SON / will add that no offer TO give
certificates of any returning board of
State canvassers Of any State to Demo
cratic electors in consideration of promi-
| SEES Of Office or money or property no
negotiations OF any such member, or to
influence the action of any electOr OF
President and Vice President by such
motives was ever entertained considered
or tolerated by me, or byanybody within
my influence, by my consent or with my
consent or with my knowledge or acqui-
escence No such contemplated transac-
ton could at any time have come within
the range Of my power without that
power being instantly eXerted to crush
it out.
A belief was doubtless current that
certificates from Florida, conforming to
the actual vote of the people were in the
market. 81 have not the slightest doubtin
the world" said Mr.. Salstonstall, who
was in Florida at the time, in recent
interview with the Herald, that that
Florida vote could have been bought by
Mr.. Tilden had he been dishonorable
enough to desire it done, for great deal
less than $4,000 or 100000. 1t was
known then that either one of the two
members who composed majority of the
Florida State canvassers could control its
action and give certificates to the Demo-
Gratis either one of them could settle the
Presidential controversy in favor Of the
Democratic candidates, who lacked but
one vote.
How accessible to veual inducements
they were is shown by the testimony of
McLin, the chairman of the board of
State canYassers. In his examination |
before the Potter committee in June last |
he admitted that the true vote of the |
people of Florida was in favor of the |
Democratic electors, and that the fact |
even appeared on the face of the county |
returns, including among them the true |
return from Baker county, notwithstand- |
ing the great frauds against the Demo.
Gratis in some of the county returns. He |
confessed that in voting to give certifi-
Gates to the Republican electors they
acted under the influence of promises
that they should be rewarded in case
Mr.. Hayes became President, adding
that certainly, these promises must have
had strong control over my judgment
and action
After the certificates of the Louisiana
Returning Board had been repeatedly
offered to Mr.. Hewitt and others for
money they were given in favor of the
electors, who had been repu-
dated by large majority of the voters.
and members of this board now possess
the most important Federal offices in that
State. The pregnant fact always re
mains that none of these corrupt boards
gave their certificates to Democratic cleo.
tors, but they ali did give them to the
Republican electors.
had perfectly fixed purpose from 4
which | never deviated by word or act
4 purpose which was known to and sus /
aimed by all aith whom was IN habitusI
communication. If the Presidency of
he United States was to be disposed of
~ certificates to be won from corrupt re /
urnIng boards by any form of venal in
iucements, whether of Offices or money
was resolved to take no part in the
hameful competition, and | took none
The main interest Of the victory which f
esulted IN my election was the expeota- l
ION that through the chief magistracv n
ystem Hof reforms similar to that which n
lad been accomplished in our metronolis u
nd State administration wouId he a
chleved in the Federal government II
'or this object it was necessary 1 sbouId N
e untrammeled by any comment in the q
hoIce OF men to execute the official II
Iusts OF government, and untrammelad IS
J any obligation TO special Interests. g
au oeen. Nominated and / Was elected X
uncut one Limitation of my perfect in 5.
ePepdence- 10 have surrendered or
the advantages of this posi- 70
on py degrading competition for re. n,
irning board certificates would have Is,
cen to abandon all that made victory co
everything which could have tn
lstained me IN the larger struggle that u
Glory would have imposed upon me.
as resolved to 90 into the bresidant;oi
lalr IN fqll comlnand Of all my resources at
r usefulness or not a. all. While thns -,
from an ignoble Competition A,
r such certificates, / saw these cert;6 r,
tes obtained for Republican eleetoEs Br
no mad not been ehosen by the peopIe 81 81
y aenisd TO Democratic electors Who 81