The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-15
MR.. BAYARDS GRANDFATHER
The Secretary Convicted of Misstate-
ments as to the Election in 1901.
lie Explains by Saying that While His Grand
father May Not Have Voted for Jefer-
son, He Cast His Influence for linn,
Edward stanwood. in Boston Transcript.

Edward Stanwood. in Boston Transcript.
Mr.. Bayard. the Secretary of State, is reported
to have said at Columbia, Mo-, last week:
sIn 1901 neither jefferson nor Burr had a
majority of the electoral votes, and the election.
therefore, was thrown into the House of Repre-
sentatlves. Many ballots were taken in the
House, but without result. There seemed to be
the probability that our Union would fall to
pieces for want of Commemorative power There
was no feeling of consolidation but everything
fed from center to circumference, and nothing
buS dissolution seemed at hand. Then came the
letters. that | have held in my hand and read,
from Thomas Jefferson to the then representa-
tive from the State Of Delaware whom have
the honor to call my grandfather [Applause.]
he held the vote of that State Each State had
its single vote under the Constitution, and this
one man, and ne member of the Federal party,
and an opponent, politically, of Thomas Jeffer-
son, held the vote in his hand. He took counsel
with Alexander Hamilton. What counsel did
he receive and what did he obey? 1t was the
counsel that the country is greater than party.
1t was the counsel that the Union was worth
preserving. The Federalist from Delaware,
instructed by Alexander Hamilton cast his vote
for Thomas Jefferson
One would hardly suspect from reading Mr..
Bayards speech. that his grandfather voted for
Mr. Burr for President thirty-fve times, yet
such was the fact. One would suppose that
Mr. James A. Bayard voted for Mr. jefferson on
the critical ballot, but he did not The whole
history of the presidential election of 1901 is
well known to all who have cared to study it
that it is surprising that Mr.. Bayard should have
misstated the facts. Alexander Hamilton did
oppose the Federal support of Burr, but he did so
Immediately upon it's being discovered that
there was tie between Jefferson and Burr.
This is no place to discuss the question whether
the Federaists acted wisely or unwsely in re-
InpA How ht1%
In nineteen ballotings on the 1lth of February,
1901 nine on the 18th, one on the 18th, four on
the 18th, one on the 10th, and one on the 18th
thirty-fve in all-forty nine Federalists voted
for Mr.. Burr. Mr.. Bayards vote. which was
the whole vote of the State of Delaware, was
given to Burr on every one of these occasions.
There were then sixteen States insthe Union,
and majority of the whole-nine States-was
necessary to a choice. Mr.. Jefferson had eight
States on each of these ballots, Burr had six,
| and the votes of Maryland and Vermont, being
each equally divided, were given to neither can
didate. If, on either of these ballots, Mr. Bay
ard had 'obeyed Hamiltons counsel" he would
| have voted for and elected Mr. jefferson. But
he did not.
Then came the thirty sixth ballot 1t was
taken on the 18th of February, Immediately
after the thirty fifth ballot Mr. Jefferson was
elected, and hows A certain number of the
Federalist simply withheld their votes-fve
from South Carolina, four from Maryland, one
from Vermont, and one-Mr. Bayard--from
Delaware. The effect of this action was to per
nit the Republicans from Maryland and Yer
mont to cast the votes of those States for Mr.
jefferson. giving him ten States and electing
him. while the votes of South Carolina and
Delaware were cast blank.
So it is not true that the Federalist from
Delaware, instructed by Alexander Hamilton
cast his vote for Thomas Jefferson" Moreover
unless the Maryland and Vermont Federalists
had withdrawn their votes, the change made by
Mr.. Bayard-from voting for Burr to not voting
at ail-would have had no effect since a blank
vote was vote against Jefferson