Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-10-25
Another Chapter of Cipher Dispatches.

The New York Tribune gave, last week its
promised South Carolina chapter of cipher
revelations, (supplementing its Florida ex-
posure), aud it is interesting reading To
understand the case, the reader needs to re-
member that the first returns from South
Carolina in November, 1876, gave the State
to the Democrats, but within few days the
aspect of the situation changed. 1t soon APP
peared that the vote on Governor was close,
that Tilden's vote was considerably behind
Hampton's, and that the returns on their face
gave the victory to the Republicans by pref
ty close vote while in two counties, Edge
field and Laurens the fraud and violence Lad
been so fragrant that there was little doubt the
Canvassng Board would throw ont their en-
tire vote, and this would put both Hayes and
Chamberlain far ahead. As soon as the criti-
cal condition of the contest became known to
the Tilden managers, it appears that Smith
NJ Weed of Plattsburgh started for Column
bia, S. c., whence, on the day of his arrival,
he transmitted by telegraph to the Tilden
headquarters in New York, the following pro
posal to bride the Returning Board
Am here Things very much mixed. In
tend to count us out If few dollars can be
placed in Returning Board [tol insure, what
say you? Give news from Louisiana, Oregon,
Florida.
Later, on the same day, he made more
definite proposal, as follows:
If Returning Board can be procured abso-
lutely, will you deposit 80, 600 dollars? May
take less. Must be prompt.
This proposal appears to have been accept
ed at Gramercy park but the figure was not
high enough for the South Carolina negotia-
tors, and Mr. Weed telegraphed again next
day;
COLUMBIA, Nov. II.
Nothing definite yet, but working Things
mixed here. Our party claims Hampton par
| ty are trading of Tilden. l don't believe it.
| Proceedings in court don't seem to disturb
| Chamberlain party. Shall increase to $50,
| 600 il required TO make sure Select good
man to send down if required, as that is the
only way. Am irdtched, and if as well think
better turn over matter here to Governor
Randolph.
The answer this time was prompt and posi-.
tive:
New York, Nov. Il.
SMITH WEED, Columbus
Telegram here. You can 60 to fifty if nee
essary. Perhaps use future prospects fen
some part, but you must see TINT trading i
not done doubt whether you can trust il
to person you name. Kennedy and other
should be able to assist. When do you thinl
you can reach conclusion? Keep me advised
Telegraph what the majority is on 1ilden
Friend will go through on train leaving her,
six tonight. See him.
It is worthy of note that while every Dem
oeratic paper and Democratic orator through
out the land was claiming that Tilden had car
ried South Carolina, and Hampton was tele
graphing a similar assertion to the New Yorl
press, Smith NJ. Weed never pretended for Al
instant to believe that Tilden had been elect
ed. He told Pelton frankly, from the first
that the majority was against Iilden and tn
case was desperate, thus;
CoLUhBIA, Nov. {.
Best I can figure, Tilden viii be over go
behind Hampton, and see little hope; sha
keep up appearances. Capture Louisiana an
Florida. What about 0regOnY
The negotiations continued but the Oar
tons Iilden was not ready to advance III