New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-24
poLrrIcs I'M CoNNECTICUT.
crNpRM HAwLEYs CAMPAIGNS.


PAST SENATORIAL CONTESTS - WERE PLEDGES
BROKEN, BRIBrs OFFERED, AND Low TRICKS
GENERALLY REsoBTED TOT
To the EditOr Of The Tribune
SIR: The article in which THE TRIBUNE on
Tuesday took some notice OF the pecuharlueS OF
The political struggles in this state mas az
tracted almost universal attention; and while
there may be different opinions as to the concur
aims drawn the curiosity Is general TO learn the
nature Of the outgvngs in the Hartford letters auded
10 I'm THE TRIBUNE editorial. The one which appeared
In recent number Of The chicago Tribune Is me spec
linen o. the series In this mssive the writer processes
20 give the results Of past political controversies in Con-
necticut and particularly Of General Hawleys repeated
failures 70 reach the Senate. The effort is 10 give
the impression that Hawley has been made
the innocent victim of tricky set" of New-Haven
politicians; that he has been pursued relentlessIy
without cause prOyOcation, and that the ponucs Vi
the State so far as the Republicans concerned have
been demOralized because OF the mexpcaOie deterh-
nation Of one thwart the ambition OF the soldier
editor It is charged that IN 1868 Hawley while can
date before the Legislature for United States Senator
was offered the support OF this tricky set II he would
make pledge to retain Mr.. N. s. sperry In the New
Haven Post Ofce" that Hawley's friends rejected the
corrupt proposal with his appreciation, and it is broadly
intinated that Ex-Governor Buckingham accepted the
profered bride and thus secured his election TO the
Senate.
AS this ia the line Of warfare that seems likely to be
pursued Connecticut for some months TO come may
not be out Of place to give readers of THE
TRIBUNE in this State glimpse at the other side OF the
story Some OF the facts to be presented will at least
tend TO show that the rough road over which General
Hawley has jolted IN his political career was in good
part OF his own making.
A PLEDGE THAT WAS NOT KEPT.
The Senatorial election in 1868 not, has been so
often asserted the beginning Of this trouble between
General Hawley and the tricky set" at New-HaVen
1t dates back the days before the when Hawey
was a sashing writer in Free Soil paper and sperry
the leader Of the suddenly gathered hosts of the Amer
can party. The mutations Of parties brought them
into the same political household, but they never
worked evenly in harness With the union Of the Re-
publican and American parties spcrry made chair
man Of the state Committee of the consolidated Organi
cation Hawley was radical Republican, and was for
making his new allies swallow the stest kind Of radical
doses; sperry. though always an anti-savery man,
thOughtit more polite to make haste slowy-tO give
men time to assimate the new political diet Naturally
the two jostled occasionally, but nothing serious
happened 10 disturb their intercourse till year after
the war 1861 when General Hawley, fresh from ser
vice in the Union Army, put himself forward as candi-
date for Governor Sperry was still chairman OF the
State Committee and him Hawley addressed himself
TO secure the withdrawal Of the Hon. Henry B. HARRISON
who had been settled upon by common consent as the
successor of Governor Buckingham. Beyond question
Harrison would have been nominated had he kept the
field and but for the good offices Of Sperry his with
drawa and the subsequent nomination and election OF
General Hawley could not have been secured. Now
come the peculiar features of the affair. General Haw-
ley in soliciting the friendly interpOsitiOn Of Chairman
Eperry frankly admitted that he desired the Office only
as steppngstone to a seat in Congress- and he went
so far to say that he could have the place for sn-
gle term, he would then give way TO Mr. HARRISON and
that he would also support the reelection OF
Senator Foster then acting Vice-PresideDt As mems
memories sometimes betray them In cases IN
VolvinR personal interests, the precautOn taken
TO secure a repetition of these promises in
the presence Of three witnesses, and thereupon
Mr. Harrison withdrew from the canvass 1t should be
added in further explanation OF his retirement that be
was ardent supporter OF the war; though not par
ticipant In the fighting, and that he was readily per-
6uaded to resign the great and honorable prize almost
within his grasp that returned soldier might be re-
warded At the election in 1866 Hawley was accord
ingly chosen Governor by majority greatly reduced
that OF the preceding year. but at the session OF the
Legislature which followed his influence and that OF his
paper were, contrary to his snte-electon prom
ises used against the reelection Of Mr.. Foster.
His course created ifeeng, and after the nomination
Of General Ferry combination Of Foster Republicans
and Democrats was made up that would have secured
Fosters election had he not at the last moment forbid
den the use Of his Who can tell what would have
been the result Of Andrew JohnsOns impeachment had
Foster continued to occupy the chair Of the Senate
The claim Of those who supported Foster was that In
addition to his ability and distinguished services, he
entitled to a reelection by custom and usage.
Atthe Spring election in 1867, Hawey claimed and
secured denomination Notwithstanding his promise
the redemption Of which claimed by the friends OF
Harrison After the State Convention, II being found
that friends OF Foster and Of Harrison were lukewarm
with view a better understanding members OF the
State Committee induced the Governor to meet their eI
chairman in their presence for an interchange OF views
The conference was held and Mr. spery rehearsed the
Of the year previous and in confederation Of
his own recollection Of the understanding read the fol
lowing written certificates by Of the witnesses TO
the transaction.
The first is by Colonel James F. Babcoek then and for
many wears previous Editor Of The EeicHaeen PaIia
dfuDa and prominent Wing and Republican poll
tieian;
The undersigned states that General j. R. Hawley did
say TO us, before his nomination for Governor, 10
would oppose Senator Fosters reflection, nor
should his paper oppose him, ana he would exert all
his influence TO prevent opposition from another paper
over which It was supposed he had much influence /:
ernor but for one year. provided he nominated
Ne,C-Hdpen, Feb 20, 1867 JAMES f. BABCOCK.
The sgner of the second, DR.. William NJ. White was at
the time attached 70 the staff Of Governor Buckingham
and had been agent for the State at Washington:
The undersigned states that General ]. r. Hawley
did cav 10 us before nomination for Governor, in
would not oppose Senator Fosters reflection should
his paper far as he could control TIE same and further
year" provided he was then nominated and Harrison
OF NewHayen, would withdraw for him and give him
Fe6. 81, 1867.
The third witness Of this agreement was the Hon. Lu
eius G. Goodrich, Of simsbury, exSherf OF Hartford
County and present OF the Commissioners for that
county.
To this exhibit OF the by which he procured his
first nomination. Governor Hawley declared with big
soldiers OATH that all - lie" and Selling his
hat strobe angrily from the 1t was under such
circumstances that Hawley made his second campaign
and the few hundred majority he had received at first
dwindled away and he was defeated. He charged his
defeat upon Mr. spery who had retired from the State
Committee though reelected chairman. The result