The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-02-18
THAT SECRET HISTORY.
Statements by Messrs. Gibson, Tucker,
Lamar and Hewitt,
Which arc Explicit But do not Ac-
cord With Nicely.
National Associated Press to the Star.

National Associated Press to the Star.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 18.-In reply to
the statement published in the New York
Sun of Saturday, concerning Mr. Abram 8.
Hewitt's famous interview with President
Grant, certain gentlemen named therein
have made the following written state
mentS:
HON. J. RANDOLPH TUCKER, OF VIRGINIA.
1t is true that was at Mr.. Hewitt house
with many members of Congress before the
meeting of Congress in December, 1876.
What was then and there disclosed by Mr..
Hewitt or said by any other person | do not
feel at liberty to state; whether separate
consultation between General Gibson, Mr..
Lamar and myself, ] do not recall, nor do
l know what General Gibson said to Mr..
Hewitt. Whatever he said he believed to
be true; his honor and truth need no i'll
dorsement from me. But that ever said |
would be compelled to sustain the power of
the President of the Senate to count the
votes and declare the result, is utterly with
out any foundation. So far from it, | had
examined the whole question before com
ing to Washington at that session. and came
to other conclusions, which, without material
modification, sustained in a $, 'eCh Janu-
ary 23d, 1877, and especially Oh the point of
the absolute want of all power i'll the Presi-
dent of the Senate to count the votes or de-
clare the result never held, but always re-
pudiated as without any Constitutional
warrant whatever, and as wholly untenable
in reason or supported by the history of the
Constitution. AS to my sending page to
Mr.. Hewitt's seat on the day of the
debute referred to, it is also
one of fgments of - fancy, which OBJ
servers of public proceedings are apt to
weave, from seeing only partially what oc-
ours on the floor. Mr.. Hewitt came to my
seat and asked the name of witness who
had testified before the Committee on the
electoral question. He said he meant the
witness who had disposed of the Confed-
crate archives to the Government. / told
him it was picketed, that was all. gave
him no counsel, unless perhaps, as | often
do to others under like circumstances, "to
keep cool" General Gibson and |, with
others were not in any conference about
the matter with Mr. Hewitt. | certainly
did not advise him to withhold anything
from his statement, nor did | know what
he was going to say.
HON. RANDALL l. GIBSON, OF LOUISIANA.
l feel it is hardly necessary for me to
deny all and singly the statements i'll the
Sun newspaper, of the 18th inst. There is
not a word of truth in them Mr. Hewitt
did not inform me, as | recollect, that Pres
ident Grant held the opinion that the pre-
siding officer Of the Senate had the consti-
tutional right to count and declare the
votes of the Electors for President and that
he had resolved to enforce by
arms or i'll any manner this
determination of the disputed election.
My whole course, from beginning to end
was controlled by the conviction that the
presiding officer of the Senate had only
ministerial duties to perform under the
Constitution, and could only count the
by Congress- If any man in Washington
or elsewhere was more anxious to sec
Samuel J. Tildcn installed as President
than I was | did not hear of him.
SO much for that | was engaged
in the Ways and Means Committee
room during the discussion on Wednesday,
and did not come into the House until to-
wards the close of it, nor did | know that
Mr.. Hewitt had spoken until allusion was
made to his remarks by subsequent speak
ers. He did not on that occasion, nor has
he since, consulted with Inc in company
with Mr.. Tucker or separately in relation to
any matter.
HON L. @. c. LAMAR, OF MISSISSIPPI.
The statement in the Sun is without foun-
daton, in fact no such statement of Gener-
al Grants purpose was made by Mr.. Hew-
lit in nv presence, No such separate con-
sultation that | can recall ever took place
between Mcssrs. Gibson, Tucker and
myself and no such purpose on our part
was expressed
Mr. Hewitt has telegraphed from New
York to friend here, that he has sent to
the Sun a letter exonerating Messrs Lamar,
Gibson and Tucker from the Just charge
In that paper President Grants statement
of the interview between himself and Mr.
Hewitt, published in these dispatches on
the 1th of December, 1876, contradicts the
story as published in the Sun.
WHAT Mr.. HEWITT SAYS.
New YORK, Feb. 1S.--The Sun this morn
ing contains letter from Mr., Hewitt deny
ing the statements made in the electoral
count sensation published Saturday. Mr..
Hewitt alleges that he made the statement
at private conference as declared regard
ing the interview with President Grant. but
no intimation was made by MeSsrs
Tucker, Lamar and Gibson that
they agreed with General Grants
view of the law. He says in the fol-
lowing summer in Paris he had talk with
Gen Randall Gibson, who said at that time
that Messrs Tucker and Lamar had to him
expressed the opinion that Gen. Grants
view of the law could be supported by the
Constitution, and they were inclined to
agree with him. This interview Mr.. Hew-
lit thinks the Sun correspondent confused
with the actual proceedings of the private
conference.
mIIn NA GmIlnN AIrEStENIAM