The Portland daily press., 1879-04-14
Magones Despatch.
Something ofthe Great Results of Sim.
pie Call for Information.

lFrom the International Review for April
On the night of Tuesday, the 7th of Novem-
ber, 1876, all the returns of the Presidential
vote were not yet received in New York.
There were lS5 electoral votes required for
choice. The states of Florida. Louisiana, Ore
gon, Nevada, Colorado and South Carolina
were distant, and in all of them the voting was
expected to be close. The kilograms received
in the early hours Of the evening were from the
nearer States, and strongly indicated the cleo
ton OF Mr.. Tilden, If any single one of the
doubtful States went with him. At O'Clock
in the morning Of the 9Th the rooms of the Rs-
publican National Committee in the Fifth Ave-
nue. Hotel were vacant. The hotel was quiet;
only the clerk in the Office and few sleepy
porters were stirring. The Republican officials
had gone off to their beds to drown in sleep
the disappointment of anticipated defeat At
the Democratic headquarters at the Everett
House there was more activity and great ella
tion. To quote from high authority on this
side, "Uncle Sammy was to be pulled
through"
But even elation is tiring, and by O'Clock In
the morning these rooms, too, were nearly
empty. The kilograms came in slowly. The
tune of the later ones was "Hayes," "Hayes,"
"Hayes," until it became monotonous and
droning, as well as alarming to the sleepy ear.
In the newspaper offices the night editors
were busily compiling returns and seeking the
impersonal fame OF well-edited outside page.
They, too, according to political complexion,
had been elated or alarmed; and alarm and
elation were changing sides with them also.
Still the Republican journals had small hopes,
and one Of the most prominent OF them even
published two editions, the first conceding the
election to Mr.. Tilden and the next denying
it,
At 345 o. m. the alarm at the Everett House
took shape In the following telegram:
EVERETT HOUSE, New York.
Please give your estimate of electoral votes secured
for Tilden. Answer at once.
Chairman Democratic Committee, Everett House,
Time, 3l5 a. m)
So there was doubt in the Democratic camp?
Doubt there meant victory, or at least the
claim of victory, to the Times. Take out the
obnoxious leader, foreman of the composing
room, but leave it standing with due prudence;
we may need it tomorrow. Write q new Lead
er of different tone, editor prothonotary, and
call me carriage, boy, and look sharp. There
is news for your betters at the othar head
quarters.
So the news editor of the Times. gith the
telegram in his hand, drives fnriouely to the
Fifth Avenue Hotel, waking clerk and porters
with the noise OF his wheels. 1t was but
chance that the rooms were not empty. ''They
had been until nearly daylight" But one Of
the faithful was there, SO he states in his testi-
mony (p. 527l, Mr.. William Z. Chandler,
Counsel for the Republican Executive Com
know the name of my client. At once the
situation changed. The telegraph operator
was walked up. Dispatches went promptly to
the doubtful points:
"Without Nevada. Hayes Is defeated. Tele-
nh ooaiD VI Nar ado Ia -
To Florida:
"The Presidential election depends on the
vote of Florida, and the DEMOCRATS will try
and wrest it from us. Watch it, and hasten re-
turns"
The same despatch was sent TO Louisiana.
The next went to Sodth Carolina:
Hayes is elected If we have carried South
Carolina, Florida and Louisiana. Can you
hold your State?"
Aud to Oregon:
"Without Oregon. Hayes is defeated. Don't
be defrauded. Hasten returns"
Now, return to your newspaper. have sat
the whSels in motion, and L am instantly going
to Florida, by the way of Lynchburg and
Mr.. Hayes is the President. Here Is a "weak
cipher code" 1t may be needed. In nv des-
patches. which shall sign "Everett Chase"
lin subtle Jeering at the Democratic headqasr-
ters). will uss these feeble Synonyms:
William in cipher means "send" in English
haluy III clpQer means tuIugo iOoh idtoAdUtos
Warm apples in cipher meaos majority"
Cold fellows In cipher means "Democrats.'
Oranges in cipher means "Florida."
Cotton in cipher means LOUISIANA"
Etc, etc., etc.
Robinson in cipher means "s3OOO."
Jones in cipher means "S2, ,0C0"
Brown in cipher means $1,000,
Smith in cipher means "S25O."
''but don't telegraph unless necessary In.
526. The second campaign has begun.
With this Mr.. Chandler vaushes into Flori-
da for the present Other Republicans 90 to
other doubtful States: They have the start of
their Democratic rivals by several davs. for the
Everett House wakes mp all too slowly to the
situation. 10 the meantime two campaiens
are being organized on the Democratic side.
One by the national executive com mittee, and
one more secret by power behind this or with
Ia it.