The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-06-11
UNwRITTEN HISTORY.
Local Incidents IN the Life of President
Hayes-why He Delayed a Pardon.

|
As matter of political propriety and o
personal justice, the following incidents II
the life OF President Hayes are submitted
and as the statement 10 made by gentle
mau who from ultimate officiai RELATION,
wilh Mr.. Hayes during his several terms a,
Governor OF Ono p',ss-ssed opportuuItie,
for knowing the facts whereof he affirms
aud as these statements are thoroughly
consistent with the we'll known personal
and political integrity OF the man who nov
Tor four years has borne with consistent
patience the miserable outcry of fraud,
they will Do read with mole than ordinary
interest:
Gu the day preceding the Presidential
election Vi 1877. during the afternoon there
were present IN the Governors office qsf1lS
| a numOe Of disiing uished cit,zuns, promi-
nuut tlzcus of other States wno had
been campaigning in Ohio. These gentle
men lad come to the Capital to wait The
| issue vi The election. The campaign had
closed; nothing now 70 do but wait.
ruese gentlemen were in earnest couyersa-
lion with Governor Hayes, when a poor,
timid but respectable woman made her ap-
pearauce at the door of the Executive
room. Tne Governor excusing himself
from the gentlemen present approached the
woman and very politely asked her, "Well,
madam, what Can do for your"
Soc replied ti,nioiy, you said il could
get . letter Of recommendation from the
Judg" you would pardon my husband.?"
Inviting the wumaD to seat 10 remote
corner he said: "Did You get the iette,p"
The woman produced 1t aud 1t was read
'ver with evident care. Mean while the
poor wife seemed to be struggling between
emotions Of hope and fear. The Governor
finally said TO her:
This letter Is all right aud | am very
glad that the Judge could write as he has
done"
Hope kindIed on the care worn face and
tue anxious woman looked up evidestly in
expectation that her petition would be TO-
dent hesitation aud the troubled expression
Game back again, when, as IL suspense
that could not be longer, she said:
"Will you let him go?''
Still there WAS hesitation and the answer
delayed to come. Finally said the Gov
ernOr:
"Where is it you live?"
The name of q village some What remote
from Columbus was given.
"When do you wish TO retarn?"
This evening""
Ill you leave this evening when would
you reach homer"
"Fo-mOrrow morning"
Then there came another pause and the
troubled expression on the woman's face
deepened into lines of doubt bordering on
despair. Once the silence was broken by
the Governor asking, with evident hesita-
ton:
''Could you stay here over night oonven-
ientiyr'
Then the gloom gave way and with an
intense Significance she replied:
eff he can 90 home With me I caa."
Very we'll. then," said the Governor,
Il guess it is safe TO say that if you will
stay here over night will lot your hus-
band go home with you to-mOrrow."
Not another void was spoken. An -x-
preston VI intense satisiactIon--of long do.
ferred hope which had m ,de the heart sick
nov already realized cast It's light over the
face VI the convict's wife, aud without .
word Of thanks or Of bensdiction she left
the Office.
That evening as the Governor was leav-
ing the Office With bis usual every day easy
but polite bearing. he turned to the attaches
Of the Office and said:
swell, We arc through for to-day. Is
there anything else requiring attention."
One Of the attaches Of the department
said:
Nothing, unless you feel disposed to
toll why you keep that woman in town over
night"
Expressing surprise that his conversation
had been noted, he said:
II will tell you. Tn-mouow is election
cay. That man. whatever his politics
might be, would, reaching home under
such circumstances. naturally feel inclined
TO vote for the man who pardoned him.
did hesitate, bat thought it right and best
10 detail, him 80 that he could not vote"