The daily gazette., 1878-10-18
SECOND EDITION
The Cipher Sensation.

LETTER FROM HON. SAMUEL J. TILDEN
THE TRIBUNE CHARGb s REFUTED-
THE PRESIDENTIAL VOTE AND THE
RETURNING BOARD MANIPULATIONS
RESULTS AS EVIDENCE OF GUILT
THE FRAUDS AND THE RESPONSIBLE
ITY.
NEW YORK, Oct. 17.-The following
is the full text of Mr.. Tilden's card in re-
ply to the recent allegations contained in
the New York Tribune affected the nego-
tiations by cipher kilograms contemplating
the purchase of elec oral votes in Florida
and South Carolina.
81 have read the publications in the
Tribune of the g. inst, purporting to be
translations of cipher telegrsms relating to
the canvass of votes in Florida at the
presidential election of 1876, and have
looked over those printed III the Tribune
OF TINS morning relating to the canvass in
South Carolina. | haveno knowledge of
the eXls' ence OF these kilograms nor any
information about them, except what has
Deen derived from or since the publica-
tons OF the Tribune. So much for these
kilograms generally;I shall speak vet
more specifically as to some of them.
First. Those which relate to an offer
purporting to have been made IN behalf
of some member of the State board of
canvassers of Florida to give, for pecu-
mary compensation, certificates to the
| democratic electors, who had been ac-
tually chosen. None of these kilograms,
nor any telegraph communicating such
an Offer, or answering such an offer, or
reiating to such an offer, was seen by me,
hty . a T..
any manner made known to me. 1 had
no knowledge of the existence or pur-
port OF any telegram relating to that sub
Ject, nor did learn the fact that such an
offer OF the Florida certificates bad been
made until long after the 9th of Decem-
Der, at which time the certificates were
delivered, and the electoral votes cast,
and when the information casually reach
ed me, as of past event, it was accom-
panied Dy the statement that the offer
had been rejected.
SECONDLY. As to the publication in
the Tribune of this morning, purportine
10 be translations of cipher kilograms rt.
Iatlng TO the canvass of votes n South
Carolina in 1876, which 1 have seen since
wrote the foregoing, 1 can speak of
them no less definitely and positively.
NO one OF such kilograms, either in ci-
pher or translated, was ever shown to or
It's contents made known to me. NO of
fer or negotiation in behalf 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 cleo
tors was ever authorized or sanctioned
IN any manner by me directly or through
any other persons. l will add that no Of
fer to give the certi ficates of any return
ing board or State canvassers of any
o'ate 10 the democratic electors, in con
slderation of promises of office, or mo-
ney or property-no negotiation of that
nature In behalf of any member of such
board or with any such member-no at.
tempt to Influence the action of anv
such member or to influence the action
OF any elector of President and Vice
President by such motives-was ever en-
tertained, considered or tolerated by me
or by any body within my influence, by
my consent, or with my knowledge or
acquiescence. No such contemplated
transaction could at any time have come
within the range of my power without
that power being instantly exerted to
crus h it out
ga belief was doubtless current that
certificates. from the State of Florida
conforming to the actual vote of the peo-
pie were in the market. Il have not the
slightest doubt in the world said Mr..
Saltonstall, (who was in Florida at the
time,) in "a recent interview with the
Herald, that the Florida vote could
have been bought if Mr.. Tllden had been
dishonorable enough to desire it done,
for great dt al less than $780, or S20,-
000.'
at was known that either one of the
two members who composed a majority
OF the FLORIDA State canvaSsers could con-
troll its action and give the certificates to
the democrats. Either one of them could
settle the presidential controversy in IA
vor of the democratic candidates, who
lacked but one vote. How accessible to
venal inducements they were is shown
byth testimony of McLin, the cl airman
OF the board OF State canyassers, in his
examination before the Potter commit
tee 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 re-
turns, including among them the true
return from Baker county, notwithstand
Ing 1.-THE great frauds against the demo-
crafs in some of the county returns. He
also confessed that in voting to give the
certificates to the republican electors he
acted under the influence of promises
that he should be rewarded in case Mr..
Hayes became President, adding that
Certainly these promises must have had a
strong control over my judgment and
action.
CATER the certificates of the Louisiana
returning board had been repeatedly Of
fered to Mr.. Hewitt and others for
money they were given in favor of the
rep, blican electors, who had been reje, t
eI by la ge majority of the voters, anu
the mt mbels of this returning board now
possess the most timportant,,federa offices
in that State. The pregnant fact always
remains that none of these corrupt boards
gave tn, ir certifca Q, to the democratic
electors, but they all did give them to the
republican electors.
az bad perfectly formed purpose
from which L never deviated in word or
act, a purpose which was known to or
assumed by all with whom l was IN
habItual communication. If the prrsi-
dency of the United States was to he dis
posed of by certificates to be won from
corrupt returning boards by any form of
vehal Inducements, whether of offices or
money, l was resolved to take no part in
the shameful competition, and l took
none. The main interest of the victory
which r, suited in my el ion was the
expectation that through the chief magis-
tracy system of reforms similar to t lat
n hich had been accomplished in our me-
tropolis and in our State adminsti att on
would be achieved in the general govern
ment.
For that object It was necessary that |