The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-02-21
THAT CONFERENCE.
Charles Fosters Version of What Cook
Place at the Celebrated Gathering at
WOrMIey's.

Charles Fosters Version OF what IoOE
Place at the Celebrated Gathering al
Wormley's.
The Washington correspondent of
the Chicago Tribune sends to that jour
nal long interview with Representa-
tive Charles Foster, of Ohio, giving his
version If the celebrated conference at
Wormley's Hotel, and all that took
place in connection with the adjustment
Of the electoral difficulties. In answer
to question by the correspondent as to
what part he (Foster) took in the mat
ter, the latter said
~ had known Gov. Hayes all my life not
intimately, but had seen and knew enough of
him to have clearly defined notions Of what
his views were upon the one question that en-
gagged their attention more than all others,
viz that of local self-goyernment. [ had no
doubt as to his course although I had never
exchanged a word orally or by letter with him
on the subject. y " About the goth of
February believed the time had come when
ought to make public declaration of what
believed his purpose to be. consulted with a
number of Ohio gentlemen, friends Of the
President and perhaps one or two Southern
gentlemen. although I recall but one at this
moment, and he not s. member of Congress.
These gentlemen all agreed that ought to
make the little speech which has been COM
mented upon so much. The speech was but
little else than repetition of part of his let
ter of acceptance. La response to this speech
[ received letter from the President, thank
ing me for it, and substantially indorsing the
sentiments expressed in it. This letter was
marked private, but the gravity of the situa-
tion at the time was such that | felt justified
in showing it to number Of gentlemen"
"It is generally reported that you showed
this letter to the anti-filibusters
"On the Goth of February the Hon. John
Young Brown and Senator Gordon invited me
to a conference with them, which Mr.. Brown
has detailed with much particularly. Some of
the minor details of his statement are not in
exact accord with my remembrance of them.
The final result of the interview Was the prom
Use to give him the letters signed by myself and
Senator Matthews, which was done the next
day, and which have been widely published.
Ny understanding at this time was that Mr..
Brown desired the letters for some personal
use in possible contingency in the future
certainly no thought of influencing his action
by furnishing these letters ever occurred to
me-" .-fgr* a
"And what was that Worrnley conference?"
On the same evening the meeting at Worm
ley's was held. There were present Mr.. Mat
thews, Senator Sherman, Gov Dennison, Gen.
Garfield and myself, OF Mr.. Hayes friends
Mr.. Watterson, Mr.. Ellis and Mr.. Burke are all
that can recall of the other side at this mo-
ment-doubtless others were present. It was
distinctly stated by Mr.. Matthews and other
friends of Gov. Hayes that we did not pretend |
to be authorized to speak for him, that we
conld not ask him for an expression OF his |
views, but that, knowing him as we did, we
believed that he would give to the States of
South Carolina and Louisiana what they de-
sired, viz. local self government. Mr.. Burke
aad with him paper, which he read to Gen.
Garfield in my hearing Che may have read it to
I'll of us, but think not), the general purport
1eing statement of what we might expect if
he Nichols Government was sustained viz.
air treatment of all classes of citizens--ern
'odying, should say, substantially the reso-
utions of the Nichols Legislature passed last
lay. and nothing more"
Was there any bargain of any sort?"
Not at all; nothing of the sort, absolutely
othing. Gen. Garfield said to Burke that we
,ould not make any bargain if one should be
roposed; that we stated in good faith what
e believed Gen. Hayes would do, and that we
i'd notrequire any pledges from them. So far
5 know not even suggestion OF bargain was
lade by any one; nor was anything said, done,
romised, Or suggested which would in the least
agree influence the vote of any member of
ongress. No suggestion was then made, ora {