The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-18

OF the 9Th inst. purporting to be TRANSACTIONS OF
cipher kilograms relating to the canvass OF
votes in Florida a; the Presidential election Of
1876; and have looked over those printed in
the Tribune OF this morning relating to tho
canvass in South Carolina.
have no knowledge Of the existence OF these
kilograms. nor any information about them ex-
cept what has been derived from or since tho
publications OF the Tribune
SO much for these kilograms generally. I
shall speak yet more specifically ms to some Of
thom.
First-Those which relate to an offer purport
ing to have been made in behalf Of some mem
Der Of the State Board OF Canvossers of Florida.
to give. for a pecuniary compensation. ccrtin-
Gates to the Democratic electors who had been
actually chosen.
None OF these kilograms nor any telegram COM
muncating such an offer or answering such an
offer. or relating to such an offer, was seen by
me. translated to me- or the contents OF 1t IN any
manner made known to me. I had no knowl-
edge OF the existence or purport OF any tele-
gram relating 10 that subject. Nor did learn
tho fact that such an offer Of the Florida certil
Gates had been made. until long after the 9th OF
December. at which time the certificates were
delivered and the electoral votes cast and when
the information casually reached me ne Of n
past event. it was accompanied by the statement
thatthe offer had been rejected.
secondly-As to the publications in the lib
une OF this morning purportng 10 be transa
tons Of cipher kilograms relating to the canvass
OF votes in South Carolina in 1875 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 trans
lated was ever shown to me. or it's contents made
known to me. No offer or negotiation In DO.
half OF the State Canvassers OF South Carolina.
or Of any Of them. or any dealing with any Of
them in respect to the certificates TO the electors
was ever authorized or sanctioned in any man
ner by me directly or through any other person.
I will add that no offer to give the certificates
Of any Returning Board or State Canyassers Of
any State to the Democratic electors. in consid
Grafton Of promises OF ONCE or money or prop
erty; no negotiation Of that nature In behalf Of
any member Of such Board or with any such
member; no attempt to influence the action OF
any such member. or to influence the action Of
any eector of President and Vice President by
such motives was ever entertained. considered
or tolerated by me or by anybody within my in
fuence hy my consent or with my knowledge
| or acauiescanca. No su,n contemplated trans
action could at any time have come within the
range Of my power. without that power being
instantly exerted 10 crush 1t OUT.
A belief WIS doubtless current that certificates
from the State Of Florida. conforming 10 the
actual vote Of the people. were in the market
have not the sliehtas; doubt in the world"
said Mr.. sal'ous'all. who was in florida at tho
time. in recent interview with tho Her
aid that that florida vote could have been
bought. Il Mr.. Tllden had been dishonornble
enough 10 desire il done. for a great deal less
than $4,000 or s20.o1o." II was known that
either one Of the two members who composed a
majority Of the Florida state Cnnvassers could
control It's action and give the certificates To the
Democrats. Either one Of them could settle the
Presidential controversy In favor Of the Demo
cratic cNnd dates. who lacked bu, one vote.
How accessible to venal Inducements thcy
were is shown by the testimony oi McLin. the
Chairman Of the Board Of state Canvassers. in
/ his examination before the Potter Committee in
June last He admitted thatthe true vote Of tho
I rappta Of Elrrf1a tt, - .,
cratic electors. and that the fart even appeared
on the face Of the county returns. including
among them the true return from Baker Coun-
~. Notwithstanding the great frauds against
the Democrats in some Of the county returns
lie also confessed that in voting 10 give the GER
tilcates to the Republican electors. he acted un.
der the influence Of promises tina; he should be
rewarded in case Mr. Hayes became Presi-
dent adding that certainly these promises
must have had strong control over my ludg-
ment and action"
After the certificates OF the Louisiana Return
Ing Board had been repeatedly offered 10 lIr
Hewitt and others for money. they were given
in favor Of the Republican electors who had
been rejected by large majority Of the voters 1:
and the members OF this Returning Board now
possess the most important Federal Offices in
that State.
The pregnant fact always remains that none
Of these corrupt boards gave their certificates
TO the Democratic electors but they all did give
them to the Republican electors,
had perfectly hXed purpose. from
which l never deviated in word or nct-a
purpose which was known to or assumed
by all with whom | was in hAhitual com
munication. II the Presidency Of the United
States wns to be disposed Of by certificates to be
won from corrupt Returning Boards. by any
| form OF venal inducements. whether OF Offices
or money was resolved to take no part in the
shameful competition. and I took none,
Tho main interest OF the victory which re-
suited in my election was the expectation that
through the Chief Magls,racy n system Of ro-