Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-06-29


the Sensational Story Told by John F.
Hines.
New York World. June 81
At the Fifth Avenue hotel last evening ex-
Secretary Robson was found in his rooms
busily preparing for an European voyage, by
World reporter sent to him to obtain his
version of the moves and Intentions of the
Grant cabinet at the time when President
Grant is said to have been worried and wary
over the rumors which had reached Wash
ingt,n of an intent on the part of Mr.. Tilden
to take in New York the oath of Office as
President of the United States
Have you read the Woodford interview,
Mr.. Robson, published yesterday morning
in the IForld9''
"Ah, here it is,'' taking theIpaper up from
aloud the s'casch-w words y ssGrant-plansS
fate that threatened Mr.. Tilden). 'Ah!"
latter pause) Il never heard Gen. Grant
mention the subject. Curious that should
not have heard him speak of any such fears"
perhaps, MIR. Robson, his fears were too
deep for utterance- But did you never hear
Of AL anticipated Democratic uprising after
the electoral! commission or hear Gen. Grant
say something about possible swearing in
OF Mr.. Tllden in New York, or hear of Gen.
Steadman and his 10000 troops from Ohio?n
Il never knew there was any suggestion
of trouble, don't believe there was any, and 1
am very sure that Gen. Grant never said
anything to me about it, But Gen. Wood
ford himself has said it-whether or no i.
be to his credit it is for others to judge.n
':Has he? Who says he has?''
''Senator ConkllngS former friend and
editor, Mr.. Mines, in q letter published in
the paper opeu there on your table,.
"WeN, there I take issue with Senator
| Conkling's former friend, and say, first, that
| Gen. Grant had no such fears, or at least
never said anything to me about such fears,
and secondly, that do not believe that Gen.
Woodford ever said any such thiag. and
| third, that the whole story must be an un
| TRUTH
You are positive about this?"
"Perfectly.'
''You never heard of it in any way in 1876
or since?''
Mr.Robeson (pausing and then deliberately,
with emphasis -''Never, until ow. Idon't
believe anybody else ever heard about it's
| ~1ou were secretary Of the navy at that
| time?'
"Yes, and de tacto and de jure both, and
|
preparations of the kind named in the inter.
view was not mentioned.''
'Not in the cabinet at any time?:'
''Never; but be sure that you put down
both points-that Gen. Grant had no fears
of any such uprising that knew of and
! that I don't believe Gen Woodford ever told
any such story as Mr.. Mines reports''
sam to understand that Gen. Grant was
not even anxious on this particular occasion
and that you do not believe Gen, Woodford
told this particular story?"
mo; make it more general, and say I do
not believe Gen. Woodford would tell any
untruth.r'
"And may I add that you do not believe
Gen. Grant would ever be anxious on any
occasion?''
Hardly ever. No: this time anyhow. The
whole thing is news to the general public as
| it will be to Gen. Grant, and, as believe, to
Gen. Woodford himself"
"Then you make general denial?'
Yes, sir. as general as you wish to make
it. This whole story is a yarn spun out OF
the sensational Imagination of Senator Conk-
| ling's former friend and editor, and. there
fore, how is it possible for me to say more?''