Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-02-07
The Cipher investigation.

COL. PELTONS TESTIMONY,
Col. Pelton before the Potter subcommittee
in New York yesterday, on being shown dis
patch numbered IA, a translation of which was
signed with Marbles name, stating that "the
returns" and that our first move viii be to re-
qulre OF the board of three state officers, one be-
ing an able democrat, immediate action" said:
" might as well state here that cannot re-
member anything about these dispatches: there
is no question that the Tribune dispatches got
near to the point, yet they are inaccurate;
always understood that 'Woolley' and Fox
were one and the same person; give me little
more latitude and will testify fully" Pelton
test1fed In regard to telegram No. so, signed
Marble" calling for $500 OOO that he replied to
1t that 1t was too high; could not remember
further details; before he met Weed he was fully
satisfied that money would be forthcoming, but
later he received telegrams from Cooper and
some one else whom he could not recoilect, to
the effect that the money could not be raised.
Question. State exactly what conversation
took place between you and Gov. Tilden on
noyed and denounced my action in the matter;
in fact he was very severe. 1 left for Baltt more
without his knowledge or consent and he was
tir city that he wanted no such work and would
sooner die than allow himself to be put into the
Presidential chair under false pretenceS. When
correspondence he was still more exercised and
denounced the whole proceeding emphat1cally.
To all questions relative to the use and eX-
plaI alton OF the ciphers witness reply was that
he could not remember. Mr. Tflden did not
read all the kilograms received; he did not in
Quire as to whether or not there was any news
fIom Marble, but he never read single tele-
gram in relation to negotiations for the pur-
chase of the returning board. Witness had not
lived with T1lden since August. When secre-
tary to Tilden he was looked upon as Tilden's
accredited agent.
To the question, care you not wholly depend
ent on your uncle?" objection was raised oy
MIR. Springer on the ground that 1t was onen-
sive. Some argument ensued. when MI. HIS
cock asked witness II he considered his PROPOSE
ton to buy the returning board honest. Wit
ness did not regard it as fair question and told
Mr.. Hiscock he had already hsulted him and
GOped he would refrain from 1t. Mr. H1ScocK
Genled insulting the witness and asked, DO
you want the country to believe that, without
consulting any leading democrat or your uncle
you took upon yourself to make three contracts
involving large amount OF money, whereas
you have not q dollar?" Witness answered,
''You are getting offensive again" After some
further argument between members OF the COM
mtttee recess was taken.
After recess witness said he had not made I'D
his mind when he promised the money to whom
he should go for 1t, but probably to the active
men OF the democracy and possibly to the dem
(cratic committee. He denied emphatic Ally
and repeatedly that he expected the money
from T1lden. The committee then adjourned
tut Pelton was required not to consider himself
discharged.