New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-24
Mr.. TILDEN AND THE ELECTORAL LAW.

EX-CON GREssMAN WALKERS REASONS FOR THINK
ING GOVERNOR TILDES FAVORED THE BILL
THE DETERMINATION TO SADDLE THE REsPoN-
sIBnITY UPON MR.. HEWITT.
TFROMAN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
ALBANY, Aug. 23.-The Hon. Charles G.. b.
Walker. of Corning, has recently been mentioned
by newspapers of the interior as having some per-
sonal information regarding the course of Mr.. Til
den with reference to the Electoral Commission
Act. Mr.. Walker was a member of the XLIVth
Congress, and, although not considered Tilden
Democrat in politics, voted for the Electoral Com
mission. When questioned to-day, be consented to
the publication of the following statement:
When the bill for an Electoral Commission first came
9elSGe ad S I Mr. Hewitt met me in the cosE
room and said find you are opposed to THIS law
replied that did not need any law We could stand
on our rights and Constitution, and they could
shake of our claim Mr.. Hewitt said But don't you
posed they would try TO- but would only show up
the steal the glaiingly before the people, and
said: LIT them take the responsibility or that II they
dare" But Mr.. Hewitt urged me 20 vote for the bill.
He said 1t the best we could do and lie thought II
WOuId succeed replied that had confidence in e.
but that was no leader, and / supposed | must be
a follower. promised TO vote for u. little
later while the bill was pending PeltOn stopped
me at the east OF the House OF Representatives. aud
said; Walker, what 90 you THINK about the DllliD
told him that did not think we needed any law, and
said, What do you know about itp don't know
had better vote Tor IT. again tad thht hau no conn
dence in II, but that would follow our leaders Soon
aid 70 him that regretted the shape things in,
and that had confidence In the result Herman said
he claimed would agree. They out OF the way OF
0fics holding their positions for life, and they
bronSht before them frepied little warmly thatthey
were human and part Of them had been appointed for
preiuices did not believe 1t. knew judge In my
district Republican, one Of the purest officers, and
would make BIN decide this case for his party before lao
heard tie evidence. Mr.. Herman greatly shocked
a vi could have
i'm our Judges, and again assured me they would render
an honest decision. When the bill came up IN the
House and was passed, voted for II solely because
those whom supposed represented the views OF Mr.
ridden said it best, although 1t was against my i'm
Sometime in February when the Commission had
made its decision some OF the States and was clear
how the count be, in Albany ard met John
Morrissey, then Senator. think 1t was day when
news the decision In tho case OF one OF te states hhd
I been received for the first words he said to me were
III feel sorry for Hewitt. l think great deal
III Sirty wv" on MIN OF the passage OF this Commits
sion Law 1 said that could hardly be SO,
for / supposed Mir. Hewitt was the nearest man
TO Mr. Tden and represented bis views When we nfst
went INTO caucus 10 nominate Speaker, asked Mr.
Hewitt il Kerr OF Indiana, was not MT Tdens choice'
and he replied, suppose am the nearest man 70 hr
Speaker" So supposed he represented ms views Mr.
Morrssey replied that 1t was true, nevertheless,
The Commission Law on him. IL was no secret he SAID
because Mr. Tdeu only the Sunday previous had said
that he was opposed 20 the law. 81 knew he
was wrong" continued Morrissey, because he had
must go on The Democracy asked for the lazy and they
can't an nd to plead the baby act asked Morrssey
could tell Hewitt this and use his nane ana he he SAID
on ret4rnng TO Washington only day two later
went 10 Mr. Hewits seat and told him what MOllssey
had SAID. Hewitt replied that he supposed ne wopia
have 10 bear his share OF the responsibility put
when / told him that Tilden claimed 10 nave
been opposed 20 the law, he said. very sharply
nc M he was surprised, Does Governor TIlden say tnat
he was opposcd 10 the lawi" then told him my
a1tbority and he said. with good deal OF feeling;
- nd Mr. TIden say so Mr. Tilden never took any
position against the law; he only asked Tor delay
asked MIN 10 take a position as We could not delay
old him he must decide something and take the re-
sponsibility but he would not take any position"
Mr. Walker continued his statement by say
ing that when the flibustering movement was
instituted all the clerks about the National
Committee-rooms and from Pelton's headquarters.
came urging members to flibuster and vote for de-
law. / for one refused" he added, because as L
said they had made me vote for the bill against my
convictions and as they had made the bargain sney
Besbe do anything for delay and Beebe Joined IN
the hllibustering movement. But when Hewitt,
Pelton and Herman favored the law, IL is brought
pretty near home to TildeD himself"