Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-02-22

MR.. HEwIrT's STATEMENT.


After the decision of the electoral tribunal
in the Louisiana ease had been announced,
it became apparent to me, as 1t did to every
intelligent person who studied that final de-
cision, that the electoral commission would
award tho Presidency to Mr.. Hayes. OF
course, felt that it YVES great shame, but
| ielt that We had submitted that question
to the tribunal, and that We were bound and
concluded by its decision, and told every
body that should vote TO sustain every de-
cision of the tribunal, no matter what the
consequence might be. But did not sec
any reason why, because Mr.. Hayes was go
ing into the Presidency, | should ignore the
fact that there was a large number OF gen
,lemcn in the House who did not look on the
question as did, and that they had told me
the count should never be completed. On
that statement reflected, and said to my
self, unless it is understood that the troops
shall be withdrawn from Louisiana and
South Carolina, civil war will surely break
out, for the members from Louisiana assured
me that their people would not submit TO
military domination. | knew that If they
resisted, the other Southern States would be
in honor bound to help them, and | thought
if could not save the Presidency from the
wreck, there was not any good reason
WHY South Carolina and Louisiana should
not be saved from it. Thereupon, of my
own motion, | went to my friend from Ohio
(Foster) and made to him pretty much the
remark that now make. The reason why
| went to him was because he had made
speech on this floor in which he declared
what the Presidents policy would be, and
he believed it and believed it, | said to
that gentleman. IL fear there'will be trouble,
unless you can satisfy these Southern
gentlemen that this policy, which you have
declared to be the policy Of the incoming ad-
ministration, will be adhered to-" He said
to me, What can do?" said 81 do
not know. 1t is not nv business but
about it," And subsequently Il think the
next day. he came back to me, and showed
me letter signed by Mr.. Hayes, which let
ter has since been published ! read it. lie
said, xviii that be satisfactory" ! said,
"Mr. Foster, it is not me whom You have to
satisfy. 1t is other gentlemen. To me 1t
would not ne satisfactory, but you must 90
to them and satisfy them that this policy will
be carried out" That was the last inter
view with Mr.. Foster on the subject.
What followed came to me from other per-
sons. had no part in a bargain. II it
was made, knew nothing of its terms
but | was told on the day that the
Vermont return had been put through
the Joint convention that these gentlemen
from South Carolina had been salts
fed, and that there could be no good reason
why the count should not proceed. do
not know how they were satisfied have
never en- any member from Louisiana
about it. only know that they told me
they were satisfied, and in that so far as |
had any influence exertcd it for the com
pleton Of the count. did it in the inter
est of peace : did in the interest of my
country. believe then | did the wisest
and best act Of my life. So far as had any
connection with the matter. if other men
made improper bargains know nothing of
the matter.