Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1878-11-06

FROM Gov. TlLpEN TO FLORIDA cirngR
TkLEGRAMs SWEEPING AND
CONCLUSIVE DENIAL

FRoM GOV. TiLpEN TO FLORIDA cirnga
TELEGRAMs a SWEEPING AND
coScLusiyE DENIAL
NEW YoRK, October, 1.-THE fol
lowing card irD1 AN.ras.Y Sgs just
been given TO the press
| have read the publications in the
Tribune Of the sIh inst purporting to
be translations Of cypher ,elegrams
relating TO the canvass oi votes in
Florida, at the Presidential election OF
1876, and have looked over those print
ed in the Iribmc this morning, relating
to the canvass in South Carolina, |
have no knowledge of the existence OF
these kilograms, nor any information
about them, except what has been dc
rived from or since the publication oI
the Tribune. 81 much for these telc
grams generally. ! shall speak yet
more specifically us to some OF them.
FTSt-Thoso which relatcto an oilcl
purporting to have been made in be
half OF some members Of the Stat,
Board OF Canyassers of Florida, Il
give, for pecuniary compensation
certificates to the Democratic electors
who had been actually chosen. Non,
Of these kilograms or any Telegram
communicating such an offer, or an
swcring such an offer or relating {,
such an offer, was seen by me, trans
lated to me, or the contents of it il
any manner made known TO me
bad no knowledge OF the existence Of
purport Of any telegram relating Il
that subject, nor did | learn that tn,
fact that such an offer Of the Florid;
certificates had been made until long
after the sixth Of December at whicl
timo the certificates were delivered
and the electoral votes east, and wher
the information casually reached me
as Of a past event, it WIS accompanied
by the statement that the offer hac
been rejected.
.Second'y-As 10 the publications il
the Tribune Of this morning, purport
ing to be translalions Of cypher tele
gams relating to the canvass of vote,
in South Carolina in 1876, which hav,
seen since wrctc the foregoing, car
speak Of them no less definitely and
positively. No one of such telcgrams,
either in cypher or translated, wa,
ever shown TO or its contents mad,
known 10 me. No offer no negolia
ton in behalf Of the State canyasser,
Of South Carolina or any OF them OF
any dealing with any Of them in re
spect to the certificates 10 the elcctor,
was authorized or sanction d IN any
manner by me, directly or through any
other person.
will add that no offer to give the
certificates Of any Returning Board OF
State Cauvassers of any State to tn,
Democratic electors, in consideration
Of promises .oi Office, or money, OF
property no negotiation Of that ma
ture in behalf Of any member Of sucl
Board or with any such members wa,
made. No attempt to influence th,
action OF any elector OF President auc
Vice President, by any such motives
was ever entertained, considered, o
tolerated by me, or by anybody will
my influence, by my consent or Will
my knowledge or acquicscence. NJ
such contemplated transaction could
at any time, have come within rang
of my power without that power being
instantly exerted to crush it out.
A belief was doubtless current tha
certificates IRON Florida, conformin;
to the actual vote Of the people, wer'
in the market. "l have not the slight
est doubt IN the world" said Mr.. Sal
tonstall, who was in Florida at tb,
time, in a recent interview with th,
Herald. That that (Florida) vot,
could have been bought if Mt. Tildel
had been dishonorable enough to de
sire it, and for a great deal less thai
$50, 600 or $4,000. 1t was know
that either one Of the two members
whocomposcd a majority ofthc Florid,
State Canvassers could control It's ac
ton, and give the certificates to tn,
Democrats. Either one of them coulc
settle the Presidential controversy II
favor Of the Democratic candidates
who lacked but one vote" How nc
cossible 10 venal inducements they
were was shown by the testimonyoi Me
Linn, the Chairman of tho Board o
State Canvasscrs, in his examination
before the Potter Committee inJan,
last. He admitted that the true vot
of the people OF Florida was in favo
of the Democratic electors, and tba
fact even appeared on the face Of tn
county returns, including among then
the true return from Baker county
notwithstanding the great fraud
against the Democrats in some of tn
county returns. He also coniesse,
that in voting TO give certificates I,
the Republican electors he acted unde
the influence Of promises that h
should be rewarded in case Mr.. Haye
became the President, adding tha
certainly these promises must hav'
had a strong control over my judg
ment and action"
After the certificates ofthc Lonisianl
Returning Board had been repeated,
offered TO Mr.. Hewitt and others 10
money, they were given in favor o
the Republican electors, who had beel
rejected by large majority Of tn
voters, and the members of this Re
turning Board now possesses the mos