The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-01
THE GREAT CONTEST or ".
General Grant the Originator of the Famous
Hayes-TildeH Electoral Commission.


George W. Childs in New York Tribune.
General Grant was staying with me during
the canvass of tie election between Tilden and
Hayes, and on the morning Of the momentous
day he accompanied me to my Office In a few
moments an eminent Republican senator and
one or two other leading Republicans walked in
and they went over the returns. These leaders
said Hayes is elected" an opinion in which the
others conceded. General Grant listened to
them but said nothing After they had settled
the matter in their own minds he said: Gentle
men, it looks to me as if Mr.. Tiden was elected"
He afterward sent for me in Washington and
said This matter is very complicated, and the
people will not be satisfied unless something is
done in regard to it which will look like Justice"
Now" he continued, II have spoken of an
electoral commission, and the leaders of the
party are opposed to it. which am sorry to see.
They say that if an electoral commission is ap-
pointed you might as well count in Mr. Tilden.
l would sooner have Tilden than that the Re-
pLblicans should have a President who could be
stigmatized fraud If were Mr. Hayes I
would not have it unless it was settled in some
way outside of the Senate. This matter is OPP
posed by the leading Republicans in the House
and Senate and throughout the country"
President Grant invited the leading senators
to dine with him that day to get their sentiment
he said to me: You see the feeling here. |
find them almost universally opposed to any
thing like an electoral commission" / named a
leadi n e Democrat in the House. who was, per-
haps, one of the most prominent men in the
country, man of great influence and of great
integrity OF character, whom it would be we'll
for General Grant to see in the matter, and the
suggestion was acted on. l sent for this gentle
man, and put the dilemma to him in President
Grants name, as follows: tits very hard for the
President and very embarrassing as to men on
his own side that this matter does not seem to
find favor with them as we'll as to have Demo
cratic opposition. Republicans think you might
as We'll count Tilden in, but the feeling
throughout the country demands as honest
count of the thing possible, this electoral
commission ought to be appointed. The answer
at once was that the Democrats would favor it.
and 1t was through that gentleman and General
Grant that the matter was carried through.
Grant was the originator of the plan. He sent
for Mr.. Conkling and said with deep earnest
ness: This matter is serious one and
the people feel it very deeply. think this cleo
toral commission ought to be appointed" Mr..
Conkling answered. ''Mr. President. Senator
Morton (who was then the acknowledged leader
OF the Senatel is opposed to it and opposed to
your efforts; but if you wish the commission
carried, L can do Il" He said, II wish it done"
through. The leading Democrat have spoken
of took the initiative in the House and Mr..
Conkling In the Senate. General Patterson, of
Philadelphia, who was an intimate friend of
also sent for. He had large estates in the South
and great deal of influence with the Demo
Gratis and particularly with Southern Demo
Gratis General Patterson upward of eighty,
but he came down there and remained two or
three weeks, working hare to accomplish the
purpose in view. After the bill had passed and
was waiting for signature, General Grant went
to State fair in Maryland the day it should
have been signed, and there was much perturba
ton about it.
General Grant acted in good faith throughout
the whole business. 1t has been said that the
changing complexion of the court threw the
matter into Hayess hands. and if the court
had remained as it was, Tilden would have been
delared President General Grant was the soul
of honor in this matter. and no one ever accused
him, or even limited that he was untruthful in
any way. /. for one, don't believe that he could
possibly tell lie or act deceitfuy
There is another point of politics not generally
known. During Garfelds canvass, Garfield be
came very much demoralized He said that he
did not only think they would not carry Indiana,
but he was doubtful if they would carry Ohio.
During that emergency, strong appeals
made to General Grant, and he at once threw
himself into the breach. He saw his strong per-
sonal friends and told them they must help
there was one very strong man, senator, whom
General Grant sent for and told him that be
must turn in. and, though he first declined, at
| General Grants earnest solicitation. he entered
the field and contributed handsomely to the VIC
tory. General Grant went into the canvass with
might and main. The tide was turned, and it
through General Grants personal efforts
seconded by his strong personal friends, who did
not feel any particular interest in Gar6elds
election, that he was elected