Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-07-16
That "Bit CT Secre. History"

y citlZcn OF Montpelier furnishes the los
ton JourAR some additional particulars rela-
tive TO that bit of secret history" which
attributed to Gen. Hancock purpose to obey
Mr.. Tillen as President, should the House of
Representatives declare him to be elected.
He says that Henry OvIatt Of Montpelier was
the GloJt correspondent who sent the secret
history telegram. At Mr. Atkins's request
Mr. Oviatt went 10 Cincinnati with him, and
Mr. Atkins gave him the story which he
sent the GloJe, the only error being that the
name of Sherman was changed to Sheridan in
publication. Mr.. Oviatt also says that he
furnished the report to the two leading morn
ing papers at Cincinnati, and it was publish
ed in them Thursday morning, before the
nomination of Gen. Hancock. The story,
says Mr.. Oviatt, was the subject of much
comment about the convention and was fav-
orably received by the delegates and other
Democrats in attendance.
Mr.. Oviatt is also quoted as authority for
cinnati, the attention of Gen. W. +. Smith
was called to the matter, and that Gen.
Smith and Mr.. Atkins both affirmed that Mr..
Atkins's statement as originally published in
the Cincinnati papers was true.
The correction of Mr. Atkins, the JOur-
hai's correspondent says was an afterthought
when he saw that his Hancock thunder for
the convention was Il dangerous thing to
have about after the nomination.
GEN. SMITHS STATEMENT.
lInrcryicw in New York Trlbune.l
lis that correct. General = the reporter
aske! when General Smith handed back the
newspaper slip, containing Mr.. Atkins's
story.
"Ics, | suppose il is correct enough; but
this refers To MIR. Atkins, not to me"
But he says that hc got the statement
from you"
We'll lid mention something of the sort.
| believe"
AS a accommodation of General Han
cock?
NO, not in that way at all. We were
simply ta!kiug among ourselves about what
had happened in the past about the fraud
anl So on ami mentioned this as fact III
connection with the fraud have nothing
further in say about il.
Does Mr. Atkins state Substantially what
you said -
''oh, yes that is correct
From whom dill you obtain the in
formaiion:'
THAT | cannot tell you."
But yurI made the statement publicly!
Il might have alluded 10 it publicly, but
| don't think so. Anyway had not the
slightest idea or wish that it would be pub
lishcd. | made the statement, rs | said,
when we were talking among ourselves"
"Did you state it as fact within your own
knowledge. or as Il fact of which You had
been iniOrmcd:'
Il stated ii as Il fact. As of course il is. 1t
would scarcely do for me to state something
which is not true That is all | intend 10
say about it.
GEN. HiNCoCE's GErlCENCE.
.Inicr,lcw IN The New York Times
Il came 10 see YOU. Gen. Hancock, in re-
gard to the story about yourself, printed in
tn. Times of to-day"
The General would not take the extended
paper, AMI waved it away with both hands.
Il cannot read it. cannot look at state
mrn;s regarding me Published in the news
papers"
NOT to hr impcrtincnt in pressing this
is in regard To Il certain letter about Dir. Til
den and the Presidency. Of which spoke 10
YOU once before, on the day you were nom-
mated"
Il shall moi maxi. any reply to any state
mcnt whatever believe did hear about
this story from friend, but have not read
it, AMI tlo moi care to make any explanations
about it. will leave that To others"
III you'll excuse me once more. Gen.
Hancock. Al that time you said that you had
not writer. such II letter 10 Gen. Sheridan.
Mr.. Atkins of Montpelier who made the
story public. now says that Il mistake WAS
made in telling it, and that he said You had
written il - Gen. Sherman.
Il did say that far us Gen. Sheridan
was concerned it WAS not correct. But |
Will make no explanation of newspaper
stories Let some one els. explain Why
don't yuu - Ia Gen. sherman
WHAT SHERMAN SAYS.
Gen. Sherman says in substance, that his
official corrr,p, ndcnrr is all on file and
that he has nothing II say about any OF his
private correspondence.
HNNCncE i wIiIING MS LETTER >n"I'LD bE
rRpDuCED.
Gen. Hancock. at II later interview report
c, in the Brooklyn Edgi, sad:
Whether wrote Il letter To- t'en. Sherman
ON the subject of the electoral contest shall
not Siv, but my position in regard To fiat
matter was well understood at the time, and
has not changed sine. am ut the opinion
that Grr Grants term rs President ended nj
mi,!nisllt, March ;. After that | should
, have paid nu murr attention 10 him officially
ti.an wduld To the man in the moon The
Houses If CONGRESS alone had pnwcr to count
the electoral vote and declare the result aud
they were the constitutional authority. My
position on this question cannot he open l."
miscunslrIciion. Anything may have
B written tu tirn. Sherman or any one clsc
concerning it is AT the disposal 81 the public.
( | am moi ashamed Of my views regarding tlie
{ electoral contest and still adhere Ia them.