New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-05
COM,IRNTs OF CITY POLITICIANs.

TAsfAiANY DEMOCRATS THINK THAT Mr.. T1LDEN
INFLuKScE HAS BEEN wEAKEEED-CLAIMs THAT
NE HAD no KSOwLEDGR OF THE DISPATCHES.
The publication in THE TRIBUNE yesterday OF the
dispatches that passed between the Democratic
leaders in the East and those Of the West IN reia-
ton TO tho electoral votes Of Oregon In 1876 was
the subject of general conversation among polti-
clans during the day. The hitherto unpublished
dispstcbes were especially read with interest. 1t
was generally conceded that they greatly strength
ened the suspicion aroused by previously published
dispatches, that a direct attempt was made to buy
one of the electoral votes of Oregon The Tam
many Democrats declared that the Tilden wing OF
the Democratic party in the interior OF this State
had been weakened by the printing in The TRIBUNE
of the mysterious dispatches of Manton Marble
from Florida. The printing Of so many new as
patches concerning Oregon, and especially the
publication Of them together, go as to give
a complete picture of the negotiation, IN
their opinion, would still further lessen Mr.. Ill
denis chances of capturing the approaching Demo-
cratic state Convention at Syracuse. The opinions
of several Of the Democratic leaders IN this city
upon the dispatches were obtained.
Abram S. Hewitt said "I think The TRIBUNE
does me an injustice in saying that the plan for
the creation of the Cronin Electoral College was
developed in a dispatch from myself to Governor
Grover on November 10. 1876. That dispatch was
simply a summary of legal opinion on the nellgl-
biHty Of one of the Republican electors, and con-
tanned great many citations of law books as au-
thOrity. The opinion was written by Mr. Hoadly,
Of Cincinnati. sent Governor Grover one OF the
law books referred to afteTward summarized the
opinion so as 70 save the expense Ofsending it COM
plete. Any chairman of great political organiza-
ton would have considered it his duty to send
such an opinion. The cipher dispatches knew
nothing about; was not aware that they were sent
first knew of their existence the following Winter,
at Washington, during the session OF Congress. one
day, while in the House of Representatives, heard
that cipher dispatches concerning the Oregon cleo
toral college had just been produced before a SEN
ate committee, and TRANSACTIONS of them read. at
once went over to the Senate, demanded 10 be put
on the witness stand, and testified that I had not
before seen or heard of tho dispatches. The same
day Mr. Pelton testified before the committee that
Mr. Tiden had no knowledge of the dispatches.
That exOnerated Mr.. Tlden"
"What do you think, Mr.. Hewitt, about the cipher
dispatches {" asked representative of The TRIBUNE.
Mr. Hewitt replied: Il think that If those dls-
patches had been traced home to me, should deem
IL a disgrace from which would never recover. As
said Mr. Pelton swean that Mr.. Tllden had no
knowledge of them. If the dispatches had indeed
been traced to Mr.. Tilden, should likewise think
he was so disgraced by them that he would never
recover from the dishonOr."
THE DISPATCHES REFERRED TO.
Mr.. Hewitt is evidently mistaken IN thinking that
his dispatch to Governor Grover, on November 10,
1876, was a summary of a legal opinion, with the
authorities to support 1t. That dispatch was sent
on November II, 1876. Below are both of the dis
patches:
NEw-YoRK, Nov. 10, 1870.
Received at San Francisco
Nov. Is, 1876, at 5:25 p. IN.
TO LieateRdRt- GOrGHOr GROVER, Oregon:
Upon careful investigation, the legal opinion is
thai votes east for Federal Oice-hoder as electOr
are void and that the person receiving the next
highest number of votes should receive the certii-
cate of appointment. The Canyasslng officers
should act on this rule aud the Governors certih-
cate of appointment be given 10 the electOr accord
ingly and the subsequent certificates Of the votes
of the electors be duly made, specifying how they
voted This will force Congress to 20 behind the
certificate aud open the way to get into the merits
IN all cases. which is not only rght but wall relieve
the embarTassments Of the situation.
ABRAM s. HEWITT,