Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1878-10-31
THE GREAT CONSPIRACY.
Another Damning Chapter Devel.
oped by the Cipher Record.
The Bold Bribery Schemes Attempt
ed by Old "Usufruct's" Agents
in South Carolina.

| ~>>>>S>~ " We - ~
Political Corruption and
Debauchery.
The New York Tribune of October 10Th
continuing the terrible history of the grea
conspiracy to steal the Presidency by cor
rupting members of the Electoral College
publishes the story of the South Caroline
ciphers- more APPALLING revelation than thai
of Florida or Oregon. The following is 8
condensed summary of whole page exhibit
of the Tribune, embracing scores of the orig
inal and translated dispatches: -.
On the 10th of November, 1876, Smith NJ
Weed was in. the Democratic committee
rooms at the Everett House, New York. On
Monday, the 18th, the South Carolina Can.
vassing Board perfected its organization, and
the same day Weed arrived on the field of
action. Here is his first telegram, addressed
according to custom to Havemayer, but un-
doubtedly intended for Col. Pelton:
COLUMBIA, November 13, a. m.-Here.
Things very much mixed. Intend to count
US out. If few dollars can be placed in the
Returning Board (to) insure, what say you
Give news from Louisiana, Oregon and
Florida
This dispatch was answered by Denmark, y
who. as we stated the other day in printing
the Florida dispatches, is proved to be Col.
| Pelton. The New York bureau was still
without definite news from the other States,
and Weeds question about money was evaded.
Telegram received. "a word illegible. J
Chilli Louisiana gives 5000; Florida one
unless they count us out. Those States, as
we'll as Carolina, are being closely watched.
| Advise instantly of progress and result.
Weed, however, pressing his inquiry, in
sisted upon more definite answer to his
money proposition, and wires back the fol-
lowing:
"CoLuMB1A, November 13.-Supposed you
telegraphed me to come here. Did you?
Board adjourned until tomorrow. answer
to question asked this morning. Important
tonight. Where do you want me to 60, and
when ?" .r A..
"Denmark" (Pelton answers back in these
words:
'NEw YORK, November 13.--Telegram
here. Remain with Hampton ii. e., in South
Carolina, and exhaust every means to pre-
vent trading. The expenses of what you do
will be met. Keep fully advised often" .
In the meantime the public had been led
to believe that Tilden meant to conduct his
South Carolina campaign entirely by the ma
chinery of the law. While Weed was feeling
around the canvassers, avowed counsel of
the Democratic party were arguing in the
State Supreme Court. Weed seems to have
cared very little about those forensic contests.
He continued his still hunt, and before re-
ceiving Colonel Pelton's dispatch No. 4, he
put the following upon the wires:
"CoLUMBA, s. c., November 13.-1f Re-
turning Board can be procured absolutely,
will you deposit $4,000? May take less.
Must be prompt. THOMAS"
Peltons reply to this inquiry has not been
found, but the nature of it is plain from
Weeds rejoinder:
"CoLUMB1A, November 14.-Dispatch re-
ceived. Parties to report this morning. Cham
berlain, Kellogg and Stearns acting in con-
cert, and intend mischief in every State.
Will telegraph prospects soon. The situation
desperate in all three"
Weed never flattered Tilden with assurances
that he had carried South Carolina or any
other doubtful State. While every Demo-
cratic paper was claiming that Tilden had
carried South Carolina, Weed dispatched
very different sort of Intelligence to Gram
ercy Park. Remember, Hampton himself
only claimed majority of i, 400, and then |
read the following:
s'CoLUMB1A, November 14.-The best
can figure is that Tilden will be over 1900
behind Hampton, amp see little hope. Shall
keep up appearances. Capture Louisiana and
Florida. What about Oregon? Answer"
Weeds movements began to excite suspi-
cion in Columbia, and his position grew un-
He proposed to hurry matters,
and then to turn over the negotiations to
else.
COLUMBIA, November 14.-Nothing def
mite yet, but working Things are mixed
here. Our party claim that the Hampton
party are trading off Tilden, but i don't be-
ieve it. PROCEEDINGS in the court don't seem