The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-04-20
SENATOR CONkLING on THE COUNT.


YOKE SENATOR SOLVING THE ELECTORAL
MYSTERIES BARGAINS, PLOTS AND IN
TRIGUEs-HAYEs PRONOUNCED AN Az
DACIOUs UsURPER.
The New York World Of Wednesday
published six column special from Utica,
the home of senator Conkling, giving an
interview with that distinguished and in
1iuential gentleman, wherein he makes many
important and startling statements regard
ing the Presidential Electoral Count and
other affairs, Immediately preliminary TO
and during the past year of the admins
tration. We herewith present the chief
points of the IVorld's despatch
"WelI, Senator, | would like to know
whether you think the true history of the
Louisiana electoral business will ever be
told in Congress- and if So how soon -
Mr.. Conkhng paused moment, then be-
gan very slowly, warming up with his sub
iect as he proceeded: "Yes, think it will.
do not see how it can he kept down.
There are too many avenues of informa-
ton opened to day to make concealmeut Of
avail much longer. No reasonable man
eau doubt there was some kind of a bargain
between the friends of Nichols and that
man Hayes, and that Stanley Mathews and
Sherman were privy to it. A very great
many people have become exceedingly curl
Gus to know precisely what the bars u was,
and exactly how it was carried out: and
ankee ingenuity will be sure to iinQ some
means of getting at the Information. |
cannot say how soon the facts will come
out, for something may occur any day to
force them 20 the surface. 1t will probably
be best to let them come out naturally"
"N hat VIII be the result ~
The result will be that the whole coun-
try will be appalled, 10y the dishonor of this
Administration. | tell you. sir, that never
III the history Of this nation has there been
IN the entire four years Of an Administra-
ton so much corruption, Oarteriug of office,
rewardinG OF political tavortes, traffic with
political leaders and bargain and sale of the
electoral franchise as during this past year.
People VIII not believe II until the proof is
shown them: but the proof will be forth
coming. People say that Hayes is good
man and means well. but they do rot know
what they are talking about. When all
the facts are known about this Admin istra
ton no one will attempt to excuse the ma !
on account OF his supposed goodness, nor yet
because he is weak and ignorant. The
acts that have dIsgraced this AdmniSira-
tion have all been done before the opened
eyes of the President
when did yen first begin TO suspect
this Senator?''
'In the early Winter of 1877, during
the sitting of the Electoral Commission.
But let me go back beyond that point.
You remember how threatening were the
days that followed the reassembling Of
Congress i'll December, 1876 The country
was in actual danger. Yes, mean that
the danger was real and imminent. The
point Of peril was not in the South, but
in the West. 1t was understood that the
Republican leaders had determined to
have Vice President Ferry count the votes
a all hazards, and declare Hayes elected,
and the West was determined on resistance.
1t was to be no chid'S play in that section.
General Stedman had 10000 men enrolled,
and assigned TO regiments, for the purpose
of seating Tllden in office in case Vice
President Ferry carried out his proposed
programme. You may look astonished.
but these things are true. President Grant
was at his wit end. He confessed to me
that he did not know what to do. He was
gather ing some troops at or near Wash
ington, but he did not know how far he
could depend upon them. General Sher-
man told him that. in case of trouble, the
sympathies of a large majority of the Off
GERS aud soldiers OF the regular army would
be with Tiiden, and that the army must
not be taken into consideration as de-
pendence in any such crisis. From these
facts. aud from what was threatened and
prophesied publicly in those days, you can
imagine how gloomy the outlook was at
Republican Councils The President asked
my advice. aud frankly told him that
did not believe that Vice. President Ferry
had any power TO declare the vote, but
could merely act in a clerical capacity to
open the envelopes and lay the votes of the
Electoral College before the JOINT conven
ton of the two houses FIR their decision
And, by the way, | may as well state here
that when a certain Senator came to me
and said that it was proposed to make me
President of the Senate IN Ferry place.
so that the thing should not miss fire,
frankly told him that | could not accept
the position. and that by my interpretat ion
of the Constitution | should lie compelled
TO rule exactly opposite to the wishes of
himself and his friends. That will, per
haps. explain one story that is told about
me, ard while we are on the subject, let me
say that | suggested subsequently that
there was no constitutional reason why
Grant shogld not be elected President of
the Senate, if they wanted q strong mau !"
there, though ! saw 10 necessity Tor any
such change. Of course. knew there was
no likelihood of such choice. aud that
Grant simply desired to see his successor
peacefully inauguratGd, and to enjoy a long
vacation afterwards.
GEAHT pLsPAIRs-CoNKILNG 1NvENTs THE
ELECTORAL COMMISSION.
Zone evening | went to the white House
and found Grant more gloomy than usual.
He had come to believe it inevitable that
his term shonld end iii boodshed. In the
course of a long consultation, ! suggested
to him that there seemed to me one
way out of the trouble. and only one, and
| suggested to him the plan of the Electoral
Commission. He grasped it in a moment.
and declared it the very thing, and that it
would save the country. pledged him to
secrecy saying that if it became known
In advance that tie plan vas ours, it would
be sure to be defeated by the Democrats,
ald ! left him much relieved In the
morning when went to the White House
found Sherman with the President-w
had told him of the plan-and both of
them expressed themselves with unbound
ed satisfaction. In the opinion Of Presi
dent Grant-and ! must say that con
CURED with hm-thiG submission of the
question to tie highest legislative and
judicial representatives Of the people was
ali thai saved us from blooishcd.
" 1t was exceedingly difficult to do any
thing with the Democratic Senators and
CGngressinen at the start. lon have DO
idcl Of the delicate and difficult work of
the CommiteeS Of Fourteen who drew up
the act for the organization 0G the Electoral
Commission. 1t was fought over, not only
section 10y section, but line for line and
word for word. AT times it seemed i'm
possible that we should ever come to any
agreement. yet We kept on our work.
because a majority Of the fourteen were
absolutely convinced that this was the only
method of preventing civil war and reach
ing any conclusion Oh The presidential ques
ion. Some of the Democratic members
OF the aGmmittee have told me since then
that more than C;ots they left the room
fully determined never 10 return. They
thought the differences irreconcilab!e, and
were determined to yield moth ing.
lie SUSPECTS TRADING BETWEEN SHERMAN