The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-08-29
BURKE'S REVELATIONS,
THE STORY OF THE PACKARD
OVERTHROW RETOLD.
The Part Sherman Took In the Formation Of
HayeS's Cabinet.

The Part Sherman Took In the Formation OF
HayeS's Cabinet.
New York, August 23-Major Burke took the
stand and said he considered all the acts OF the
Louisiana Returning Board Illegal, as the Board
was an Illegally constituted body.
In response to question from Mr. Butler Mr.
Burke stated that none Of the Packard Leglsa
ture were allowed to become members Of the
Nichols Legislature who were not known to have
been elected by majority Of votes. The witness
further said that although the report Of the visit
ing statesmen to the United States Senate stated
the Nichols government was founded on blood
shed and riots, such statements are unfounded
and he Burke) did not propose to square their
report for them,
He did not remember having any correspond.
ence with Horne. After the Inauguration Of
Hayes he received the following telegram from
him:
Washington, March 20.
Major e. A. Burke: Pat Packard clearly in the
wrong If an outbreak occurs. There are rumors
Of a conflict to night Answer Hayes Is firm.
W, L. HORNE.
Here the witness wanted TO explain the dis.
patch, but General Butler said II explained itself
General Butler handed the following letter con.
tanned In a bundle submitted by him. Major
Burke said the letter was private one, which he
did not intend to have submitted. However, he
would allow to have 1t read, but declined to give
the name Of the writer.
Following is the letter:
House of Representatives Washington, D. c.,
March g. lS78.-Dear Major-* | think
there will be a difficulty, not only In the forma.
ton Of a Cabinet but in Its first sessions Howev-
er formed, on the Louisiana question: Sherman
will make the fight. He represents the party and
will look to his own supremacy and success in
1881. He wants lackeys around him, especially
southern laCkeys In the Cabinet in the Senate,
in Custom Houses all offices. He will break
Hayes down. mean to tell Hayes so at my next
interview, He means we shall trade. Hayes has
no such purpose The country will condemn a
bargain. II will d-n the men who made It, es.
pecially If they get Federal offices Of any kind
themselves Taking Key instead OF Joe Johnston
shows that they want putty and that their
southern policy is sham. Sherman will play
bluff with us, brbe and bully, intend to
stand clear and assume the offensive at the Ope.
ming OF Congress. They have no idea Of uphold.
ing PaCkard-nOne in the WOrld-but they will
try to make some OF our uninitiated believe they
will so as to build on their fears. | repeat they
will bully and bribe, threaten some with Pack
ard and bribe others with Offices and they will
touch no man from the South with brains and
power, real Independent men, Hayes would like
to do so but Sherman will prevent him, but they
will never get Hayes to recognize Packard nor
use troops against him. l hope as soon as you
are installed and get your Office in order you
will return. This is free letter and you can
show 1t to the Governor but no one else
Yours sincerely, mot signed)
After some unimportant colloquy General But
Ter asked: Now, sir, was the abandonment Of
the Packard government ever consented to by
Senator Morton? Al was assured positively
by Senator Matthews Senator Morton would sus-
tain the Hayes goVernmentin Withdrawing troops
from Louisiana, thus virtually recognizing the
Nichols government. Senator Matthews told me
Senator Morton would make speech on the sub.
ject.
Now, sir, were you able to "rope IN" any other
Republican statesman? A.-Now, General, that
expression
OIL don't mean you, mean your associates
| Matthews and others A.-Well, | understood
that Mr. Frye was willing to be "rOped in" as you
call 1t.
o,-Did you understand that Morton or any
other live man outside of Ohio ever said before
the 4th Of March that the Packard government
would be oVerthrOWn2 Al understood that
every one of lhem acquiesced, as it was well
known and published such would b. the Pres
ident's policy, and not one of them In Congress or
| the Senate raised their voices against it,
Q.-Where was 1t ever published? Name one
instance? A.-Oh, I'll give you dozen.
Where is there word about overthrOwing the
Packard government? Ave construed 1t that
the withdrawal of troops was the overthrow OF
PNckard's government, and so did any one else
with any sense.
General Butler-oh, indeed; didn't ask that
question.
Odd you take any especial pains to keep out
| Of your publications what would befall the Pack
ard government A.-No, sir. We felt no pains
over 1t.
General Butler (very excitedly, standing up)-
Did you not keep the matter secret as to whatwas
to be done to Packards government? A. lin o
loud Voice(.-No, sir; 1t was all published, and Mr.
Levy stated 1t on the floor of the House.
Here Mr.. Hiscock read a dispatch which he had
| just received from Governor Young of Ohio. j
| states: 80 far as am concerned Mr.. Horne II
at liberty to testify all he knows, have no Sc
crets TO conceal as to our correspondence or tele
graph.
(signed) THos. L. YOUNG
Mr.. Potter read similar dispatch.
Q,-Did General Grants order Of the I'd o
March cause the withdrawal Of troops? Al
did not result so.
Many questions were propounded by Butler h
the Witness with view Of finding out why Soutl
Carolina was demanded as well az Louisiana, anC
what was guaranteed In return by South Caro-
lima for oVerturning the Chamberlain govern
ment.
Witness told General Butler to ask Hon. Henri
WattersOn, editor Of the Louisville COurier-JOuI
nal who was representing South Carolina at tn
Wormley conference. The witness knew nothin
about the matter beyond what was published a
the time, but no sane man can ever belieue Wad
Hampton was not elected.
Mr. Potter then read the following telegram:
II never had a conversation with Mr., Shel
man about the settlement of the Louisiana quel
ton or on Louisiana politics. In this Mr. Burk
is in error. (Signed)
RANDOLPH L GIBSON.
Major Burke explained that on the 2Sth of Eel
ruary, he received note from General Gibso
stating, LET me see you at once Sherman an
Cameron notify that they will call to see me TIL
evening" The witness said that from this he IL
ferred that General Gibson had met them an
discussed the question: but in this he might
mistaken.
The committee adjourned until tomorrow.