The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-09

Mr. SAMUEL j. TtLDEN appeared before
the Cipher Committee ycstcrday,was sworn,
made a statement, and answered the Ques-
tioDs put to him by the Republican members
Of the Committee.
He testified that he did not recognize any
one OF the published South Carolina or Flor
ida cipher dispatches as having been shown
TO him either in the original or in transla-
ton; nor was their substance communicated
to him. As TO those Of them relating to
money negotiations, he was positive that he
never saw or knew Of any Of them.
lie first learned of the South Carolina
negotiation on Nov. 90, 1876, and then only
In part. Mrs. PELToN informed him that
her husband was out OF town. fact Of
which he was ignorant and shortly after
Mr.. EDWARD COOPER told him that Mr.
PELrON had gone TO Baltimore to receive
proposition looking toward the secur-
ing Of electoral votes in South Car
olina. Within ten minutes no had
telegram sent to Mr.. PELToN, commanding
him to return at once and on MIR.
PTLoN's arrival he rcbukcd him for listen
ing to such proposition. He was not aware
at the timc how far Mr. PELroN had gone,
nor did ne know Of Mr.. SMITH WEEDS going
10 South Carolina.
or the Florida cipher correspondence re-
lating to the use of money he was equally
ignorant. He did not learn Of the propositions
that had been made until after Dee. G, 1876
that is, until after the certificate had been
given to the HAYES electors. Then Mr..
MARBLE casually spoke Of it as a bygone
affair told him that propositions had been
made and declined.
He did not see any Of the Oregon cipher
dispatches, and but one OF them, an inno-
cent one was communicated to him. lie
did not know at the time that this was in
cipher.
He did not sec one Of the fifteen cipher
dispatches purporting TO have been sent to
his house, and doesn't believe they were de-
hvcrcd there.
The Democrats who went South to watch
the count were not sent by him, were not
his personal agents, nor did he supervise
their actions. lie left all that to the Demo-
cratic National Committee So far as he
knows none Of them had any commission,
authority, or purpose to do wrong.
II he had desired to go into any ncgo-
tiatIon, Mr.. TILDEN said, Mr.. PELroN was
the last man he would have employed as his
the Committee was not his work or in ac-
cordanCc with his wishes. He did not warn
the Committee against PELToN after the
Baltimore episode, because Mr.. HEWITT
and Mr. COOPER did not need warning.
because prIToNs hands were tied. and
because he thought pELToN's offence less
grave than it was. PELToN's conduct was
wrong ana inoXcusablc, but PELToN only
conten.i lated doing what others did II
declare before Cop and my country" said
Mr.. rILDrN. THAT it is my entire belief that
the votes and certificates Of South Carolina,
Louisiana. and Florida were bought, and
the Presidency was controlled by their pur-
chase"
Mr. IILDTS explained that he did not
refer 10 the South Carolina proposition in
his letter Of denial, because he did not think
such reference In that lottor necessary or
pertinent; hut II was not at all his purpose
10 mislead the public.
For his own part Mr.. TILDES said. he had
never entertained the idea Of buying suc-
cess. with money or promises OF Office, for
one instant II the Chief magistracy was Ia
be pat up at auction, he resolved that he
would not 10 among the bidders. From this
resolution he never swerved.