The Iola register., 1878-10-26
TILDEN'S ATTEMPTED FRAUD.

TILDEN'S ATTEMPTED FRAUD.
A Sample of the South Carolina Cipher
TeIegrams-Revelation Of q Startling
Character.
From the New York Tribune.l
The first returns from South Carolina In
November, 1876, gave the State to the Dem
ocrats, but within q few days the aspect Of
the situation greatly changed. 1t soon ap.
peared that the vote on Governor was close,
and that I1lden's vote was considerably be.
hind that Of Hampton. So uncertain was
the result that on the 11th Of November, -four
days after the election, Mr.. Hampton tele-
graphed to New York that his own majority
was about 400, and that Of Tilden some
what less, while Gov. Chamberlain at the
same time telegraphd that, after giving the
piausibly claim, the Republicans still had a
majority of $500 on the Presidential Elec-
tors and 2, 100 on the State ticket.
The fact was that returns on their face
gave victory to the Republicans by pref
ty close vote, but in two counties, Edgefield
and Laurens, the fraud, violence and intim-
idation had been so fragrant that there was
little doubt the Canvassing Board would
throw out their entire vote, and this would
put both Hayes and Chamberlain very far
ahead.
The chance of Tilden's securing South
Carolina under these circumstances appear
ed SO slight that when Mr.. Marble, Mr..
WOOlley, Mr.. Coyle and the other eminent
Democrats dispersed themselves over the
South, the public apparently forgot to OBJ
serve who took charge of South Carolina.
Several eminent Democrats, however, reach
ed the capital of South Carolina by the mid
die OF the month: among them were Senator
and eX-Gov. +. +. Randolph, of New Jer-
sey; Senator John B. Gordon, of Georgia;
Montgomery Blair, A. H. H. Stewart, and
Capt: &. N. Fox, ex-Assistant Secretary Of
the Navy.
But it was to none of these gentlemen that
Mr.. Tilden intrusted the real business of the
campaign. The person selected for this
delicate duty was Mr.. Smith NJ. Weed, who
has long been one of Mr.. Tilden's closest
political friends, and who figured conspicu-
ously at the Syracuse Convention as FORE
most representative of the victim of fraud
and champion of reform.
On Monday, November 13, the South Car
olina Canvassing Board perfected its organ
iZation, and the same day Mr.. Weed arrived
on the field of action. The promptness and
evident relish with which he set about the
affair upon which he had been sent, must
have satisfied Gramercy Park that he was
the right man in the right place. His first
dispatch was:
COLUMBIA, November 1S-Henry Have.
meyer, No. -, West Seventeenth Street. New
York: Am here. Things very much mixed.
Intend to count us out. If a few dollars can
What say you? Give news from Louisiana,
Oregon, Florida. WEED.
Mr.. Pelton answered:
NOVEMBER H.--Smith Weed, Columbia: !:
Telegram here. Remain with Hampton lin
south Carolina), and exhaust every means to
prevent trading. The expenses of what you
do will be met. Keep fully advised often.
DENMARK.
Before receiving this, Weed telegraphed:
COLUMBIA, November l3.-Henry Have
meyer, New York: If the Returning Board
can be procured absolutely, will you deposit
$4,000! May take less. Must be prompt.
Mr.. Pelton's reply to this inquiry has not
been found, but its nature is plain enough
from Mr.. Weeds rejoinder of November IA,
saying the parties were to report that morn
ing. Weeds movements began to excite
suspicion in Columbia, and his position
grew uncomfortable. He proposed to hurry
matters, and then to turn over the negotia-
tions to somebody else. He says:
COLUMBIA, November H.-Henry Have
meyer, New York: Nothing definite yet, but
working. Things mixed up. One party
claims Hampton party are trading OFF Tilden.
don't believe it: Proceedings in Court don't
seem to disturb Chamberlain party. Shall
increase to $4,000 if required to make sure?
Select good man to send down if required,
a as Il that is the only way; Pm watched. and if
matter here to Gov. Randolph. WEED.
The answer this time was prompt and
positive, for Gramercy Park, too, was be-
coming uneasy:
NEW YORK, November A.-Smith Weed, Co.
lumbia: Telegram here. You can go fiftyif
necessary. Perhaps the use of /" future pros
poets" for some part, but you must see that
trading is not done. doubt whether you can
trust IL to person you name. Kennedy and
others should be able to assist. When do you
advised. Telegraph what the majority is on
Tilden. Friend will go through on train, leav-
ing here at o-night See him.
DENMARK.
Arrangements for getting the Board cer-
tain seems to have met with entire approba-
istic caution Mr.. Pelton's principal urged
Weed as follows:
NEW YORK. November 16-Smith Weed, Co.
lumbia: Last telegram here. There is, un-
able decision could be had, but to be con
sistent and sustainable, it would and should
involve electing Hampton, or else it would be
involved in inconsistencies impossible to sus-
tain. You must be satisfied that action upon
which papers issue is justified by facts, and
all trading is prevented. Try and make lionel
portion payable after the votes are IcastJ and
another portion after the final result. Doubt
less good faith is intended, but there should
be sufficient guarantee accepted. These con-
ditions are very important. Telegraph result
anu WAdt yOu Wdut QOue. DENMARK.
Mr.. Weed replied:
er, New York: Telegram received too late to
answer last night. Don't quite understand.
Do you want me to go to the home of Stearns.
SIS 900 for giving US two or three Electors.
The interceder will want something besides,
think $4,000. What shall do? Get no aid
shs Hampton party who' to say Least
Mr. PeltonSs answor neads not oro xuord
OF comment:
NEW YORK, November 16.-Smith Weed Col
1mbia: Four kilograms here should be will
ling to accept Believe If Chamberlain and
Board unite to prevent trading, and expense
was made dependent on final success of TIL
den in March, am inclined to think Florida
best soil. If you can fix this contingently, or
leave 1t open safely or in reliable hands, you
had better visit Florida immediately. See
that our friends remain; can't get others to
go. Give me the exact condition O-night,
Capt. Lieutenant Anna Jane.
DENMARK.
COLUMBIA, November 16.-Henry Havemey.
sr: Telegram received. It looks now as
seven votes. Have safe man to bring stuff on
receiving telegram in morning. Think now
will meet him with party at Baltimore
oaa dn mot reaa, mane It on but
md other officers. The exact status is, that
wo of the Board have agreed and are con
'uitlnS with the thlrd, which Is q majority,
md will report to night. They set stakes, and
assented, but can withdraw. Portugal tele-
yraphed me o-day to spare no cost. It's too
ate for me to go to Florida, but will see and
you to night. Answer me soon and
definitely. WEED.
PeltOn answered.:
Telegram of thirty five (words) here Full
elegram left before this morning. Speak
when received. Charles Thomas Jones, Capt. |
Anna.
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