, 1879-02-09
TIIDFN.

| TILDEN.
THE OLD NAN MAKES GENERAL PROTEST..
| New YORK, Feb. Sat the meeting oi the
| Committee engaged in Investigating the cipher
dispatches, Samuel J, Tilden, Immediately upon
entering the room, was sworn by 1lr. Hupton,
the Chairman, who said: ''Gov. Tiiden, We re-
ceived your note expressing your willingness to
| testify.''
Mr.. Ti1den-1 have cold, and cannot speak
| very loud. The publication and traaslations in
the New York papers I have read. I did moi
recognize single dispatch, either in the cipher
| or Translation. which I had ever seen before. I
| never entered into any arrangements'to pur-
chase the vote 0! South Carolina or Florida. I
had no information and no suspicion THAT any
such communications we're being carried on
until I saw the dispatches published in the New
York Tribune. I had no knowledge anu no
dealings with any parties to these negotiations.
NEVER AUTHORIZED ANY SUCH NEGOTIATIONS
in any form whatever.
On the morning of Nov. 20, 1876. Mrs. Col.
Pclton mentioned in my presence that ser hus-
band had gone for the day. didn't know that
he had gone or was going out OF the city. He
went to Philadelphia believe. Later in the
day was called on by Mr.. Cooper, who was on
his way downtown, md was told by him that
he had received an offer from some party, Offer
ing to obtain, for money, the vote OF South
Carolina. I said that I would authorize no
such transaction, nor spend money for any such
purpose. The whole conversation occupied
only few minutes. obtained Col. Pelton's
address In Baltimore, and tele2raphea to him to
comc home. I know nothing OF the cipbess
that had been passing between him and others,
and
1coULD NOT HAVE TRANSLATED TuEM.
With regard to Florida, never saw one Of
the telegrams, either in ci0her OF translation.
did not know, and was not informed, that nego-
tiations we're going On In regard to Illegally OBJ
tanning certificates OF the Returning Board.
Some time after, Mr. Marble called and told me,
In casua! kind OF way, about the corruption OF
the Returning Board Of Florida
never saw any OF those dispatches relating
to Florida. either in cipher or translation.
In regard to the Oregon dispatches. / did not
know that they came in cipher until after the
meeting Of the Committee to investigate them
Some Of the dispatches were addressed TO my
residence, No. Is Gramcrcy Park. / do not
know that any Of those dispatches were ever
delivered there. Col. Pelton's habits OF mind
and mine are very different
A day or two after tue election, Gen. Grant
wrote letter, recommending committees to 20
South and see fair count. had nothing to do
with the selection Of those committees. never
heard from them but once, aud that ras bya
communication signed By Ottendorter and
Others was very busy all the time, and did
undertake to correct the idea that they were my
personal agents, aud this report
HAD NO FOUNDATION.
They represented the Democratic party.
None OF them, 50 far as I know, went to these
States authorized to do anything that gentle
man might not do
From the 7th OF November, 1876, until Dec
6, of tile some year, under no circumstance did
I enter into any combination for seeking GER
tiicatcs by venal inducement. There never was
au hour nor minute that I entertained such
Thought To the people who, as I believe,
elected me as President Of the United States,
10 4,GOO, 900 OF citizens who were defraudcd, I
owed it to proclaim TINT would not yield one
lot or title OF my right. Whatever evil.may
.esult from this subversion of the electoral
;Ystem, and Of 4 free Government, I resolved q
hat would enter into no auction for the pur~
hase OF the Chief MagistracY. Cheers, which
he Chairman suppressed.] was resolved that
would continue to protest against wrong BY
which the people were defrauded out Of their
lights.
[Ar. Tilden's voice, OWN. to bis cold, became
usky, and it required an effort to catch all his
rords.1
Mr. Tjlden being asked: 'tWho is roc< pEi-
ate SecretaEy!" answered: "Gcorga W.
mith-"
CIPHER NO. 20.
Q.-.Mr. Tilden, + find in cipher No. 30 tt;a
ipatch: -.
f7TdnxZ1ff1n 7
TALLAHASSEE. Nov T.-George ~ Smith. u
;ramereu PaFk: 1t has been suggested frnm
ere to the Governor Of Oregon to refrain iron,
'snlng certificate In favor oi IN eligible EIec,ur
ntil advised thereon. Why not obtain and te}e-