The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-10-18
NO CIPHER OR TRAsuATED DISPATCH

no less definitely and positively.
NO CIPHER OR TRAsuATED DISPATCH
was ever shown to or its contents made
known to me-. No offer or negotiation in
behalf OF the State Canvassers OF South
Carolina, or OF any OF them, or any dealing
with any OF them, in respect to the certifi-
Gates TO the elector, was ever authorized or
sanctioned in any manner by me directly
or through any other person.
will add that no offer to give the certi-
ficates OF any Returning Board or any
State canvassers OF any State to the Demo-
cratic electors in consideration of prom
ises OF office, or money, or property, no
negotiation with any such member TO in
fiuencc the action OF any clcctor OF the
President and Vice President by such
motives was ever entertained, considered,
or tolerated by me or by any body within
my influence, by my consent, or@with my
knowledge or acquiesence: No such con-
templated transaction could ut any time
have come within range of my power,
withoutth power being instantly exert
ed to crush it out. A belief was doubtless
current that certificates from Florida con-
forming to the actual vote OF the people
were in the market.
~ HAVE NOT THE SLIGHTEST DOUBT IN THE
WORLD"
Said Mr.. Saltonstall, who was in Florida
| at the time, in q recent interview with tho
Herald, ''that that Florida vote could have
been bought II Mr.. Tilden had been dis
honorable enough to desire it done, for a
great deal less that $50, 900 or 10000. 1t
was known that either one OF the two
members who composed majority OF the
Florida State canvassers, could control its
action and give the certificates to the DEM
ocrats. Either one OF them could settle
the Presidential controversy in favor Of
the Democratic candidates, who lacked
ono vote. How accessible to venal in
ducements they were, is shown by the
Testimony OF McLin, the Chairman OF the
Board OF State Canyassers, in his exam
nation before the Potter Committee in
June last. He admitted that the
rRuR VOTE OF THE PEOPLE 5
of Florida was in favor OF the Democratic
electors, and that the fact appeared on the
face of the returns, including among them
the true return from Bailer county, not
withstanding the great frauds against the
Democrats in some OF the county returns.
He also confessed that in voting to give
certificates to the Republican electors he
acted under the influence OF promises that
he should be rewarded in case Mr.. Hayes
became President, adding that certainly
these promises must have had q strong
control over my judgment and action.
After the certificates OF the Louisiana
Returning Board had been repeatedly
offered to Mr.. Hewitt and others for money,
they were given in favor OF the Republi-
can electors, who had been rejected by q
large majority OF the voters and members.
This Board now possess the most impor-
tan Federal offices in the State.
1 THE PREGNANT FACT .
always remains that none Of these corrupt
boards gave their certificates to Demo
cratic electors, but they all did give them
to the Republican electors. ! had 0 per
iectly fixed purpose from which never
deyiated in word or act. A Apurpose which
was known TO, or assumed by all with
whom was in habitual communication
II the Presidency OF the United States was
TO be disposed OF by certificates to be won
from corrupt returning boards by any
form OF yenal inducements, whether o.
offices or money, / was resolved to take nc
mart In the shameful competition, and
took none. The main interest OF the VIC
tory which resulted in my election, was
! the expectation that through the Chic
Magistrate
A SYSTEM OF REFORM
similar to that which had been accom-
plished in our metropolis and State ad
ministration, would be achieved In thu
Federal government. For this object Il
/. was necessary that ! should bc untram
melled by any commitment in the choic'
OF men to execute the official trusts OF thu
. government, and untrammelled by an!
Obligations to special interests. | hat
been nominated, and ! was elected with
out one Limitation OF perfect indepcn
dence. To have surrendered or com
!. promised the advantages Of this position
! by a degrading competition for the Re
? turning Board certificates, would hay
! ! becn TO abandon oil that made victory dc
! sirable, everything which could have sqs
! talned me In the larger struggle that vic
tory would have imposed upon me. Iva
!, resolved to go into the Presidential chai
! In full command OF all my resources 70
usefulness or not at all. While thus al
: : staining from ,
4 .-.- AN IGNoNINIors COMPETITION
/ for such certificates, I saw these certif
Gates obtained for the Republican electort
Q who had not been chosen by the people
y and denied TO the Democratic electors, VIII