Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-08-05
Mr., TiIlen's Position

In tho New York papers to-day Mr.. Manton
Marble publishes a review of tho electoral COM
mission and Mr. Tden action ia its regard.
Mr., Tildcn's plan WAS to Combat to tho bitter
end tho claim of the right 90 the part of the
President of the Senate to select, reject, or
count the electoral vote. Mr.. NJ. s article fills
several columns, and it states Mr.. Tilden's po'
sition as follows:
Ga January H. Mr.. Tden received from
Mr. Hewitt's lips his first information that
other measures had been abandoned; that the
Senate Conference Committee had lust dis
closed to tho House Conference Committee 40
electoral commission bill it had been privately
preparing that the House committee were
pressed to accept and adopt the same. Mr.:
rilden, in bis interview with MIR. Hewitt did
not withhold the grounds of his objection to
the bill, as policy, or 10 its details. Express
ing some surprise at the fact, OF which he was
repeatedly assured ty MIR. Hewitt, that the
democratic Senator'S had already determined
upon their course, whatever his advice or
secrecy which had shrouded the CESSATION OF
their project MIR. Tilden observed that secrecy
in respect to any plaD, duplicating tho rights
anu tuttIcsta VI ~ Wauy, was q mloIahCu auu
unfortunate policy. He recommended the
widest publicity, the fullest discussion, the
treest consultation. as a democratic method al.
ways excellent 10 ITSELF and contributing to tho
prosperity aud stability of all self government,
and in tho present instance no way hurtful, but
advantageous. rather, to tho interests of the
democratic party.
TO tho argumeat of haste, Mr., TiIden re.
Piled:
There is time enough. 1t is o month DO.
foro tho count. 1t had best b. used, oil oft.
in making the people and their agents fully
acquainted with their rights and duties"
lie the statement that tho Senate Committee
would not delay for this to present their bill,
with the unanimous approval OF its three DEM
ocratic members to the republican Senate Mr.
Tlden replied:
1T is panic Of paoiGoasors. They will act
in haste. and repent at leisure"
To Mr.. Hewitt's representations Of the dan.
ger of collision of forco with tho Executive,
Mr.. Tilden replied:
Nevertheless, this action is too precipitate.
The fears Of collision are exaggerated. And
why surrender now You can always surrender
That is all you have to do after being beaten.
Why surrender before tho battle, for fear of
having to surrender after the battle is over %
The scheme which MIR. Hewitt had brought
contained in its first draft provision by which
six judges were to be described in the act, one
to them then to be eliminated by lot To this MIR.
Tilden's objection was peremptory. Said he,
Il may loose the Presidency, but will not
raHs for it,
On the 10th of January Mr. Tiden dictated
and sent the following telegram for transmission
10 cipher to Washington, through the National
committee rooms:
NEW YORK, Jsn'y. 16.
No need of hot haste, but much danger in
it. Some days interval should BIO taken. The
risk of publicity Cs) harmless.
No information here, nor any opportunity to
get information which could justify abstinence
from comdemning such an abandonment of the
Constitution and practice Of the Government
people.
Nothing but great and csrtain public danger,
not to be escaped in any other way, could ex-
cuse such measure We are overprossed by
exaggerated fears, and forget that tho other sido
will have greater troubles than We, unless re-
lived by some agreement.
They have no way out but BY usurpstion;
Qhey) are bullying us with what they dare not
do, or will break down in attempting.
SO long IS We stand on the Constitution and
settled practice, we know whore we arc. Con-
sequence of new expedent not enough consid'
cred.
Only way of getting accession in the Senate
is by the House to stand firm. and judcious
friends believing in that case we will go safely
through. Opportunity to consult such friends
should BIO given, before even tscit acquescence
10y House commiltee) if that is contemplated.
Though details may be properly discussed, final
committl by House committee should be firmly
withhold.
From that time forth Mr.. Tilden kept 81.
lcnca.