Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-02-25
sflisteltaueuns &eadiug.
WITHIN TILDEN'S GRASP.

HOW HE MISSED THE PRESIDENCY BY
ONE HOUR.
The Columbia correspondent of the Au-
gusra Chronicle writes the following:
A few evenings since three old veterans
of 1876 were seated around comfortable
fire, putting their fragrant Havanas and dis
cussing the numerous exciting events in
which they had been participants. Two of
them were eX-State Senators and one an ex-
State officer of 1876. AS the latter forced a
cloud of blue smoke from his mouth and
sent it curling upwards, he said Ibid you
er.hear how near Tilden came to receiving
the electoral vote of South Carolina - MS
friends had heard something on this subject,
but if he had anything new to offer they
would listen. "Well, gentlemen" he pro-
ceeded, "Tilden was within one hour of be-
ing President of the United States. The
South Carolina Republican electors were for
sale, but they came high. The Democrats
wanted them, however, although their
price was a little eXorbitant. The State
committee was not in a position to purchase
their votes and had little interest in or de.
sire to do so, as Hampton had been elected
Governor, and the people were SO reJolced
over this that National matters were regard
ed as small consequences. The National
committee had information of the condition
of the electoral ticket, and was somewhat
more inclined to invest. The dlthculty,
however, was that the Republican electors
were such consummate scoundrels that no
reliance could be placed on their promises.
1t was necessary then to secure third par
ty to conduct negotiations. A broken CO.
lumbia banker, whom we will call Hardy,
who had received q part of the plunder OF
the Radical crowd, was selected. He soon
perfected arrangements for transfer of the
votes from Hayes to Tilden for the sum OF
$50, 900. The Democratic representative ac-
ceded to the proposal and directed Hardy to
90 Immediately to Barnum's Hotel in Bal
timore, and call at room Al, where he would
find party waiting, who would pay over
the amount agreed upon. Hardy arrived
promptly at Barnum's and examining the
name on the hotel register opposite room Al,
he found that it was so badly written that
he was unable to read it. He called the
clerk to his assistance, but this gentleman
also failed to decipher the signature. Hardy
walked up to Al and knocked, but receiving
no answer retired. He strolled out on the
street, and while walking along leisurey a
stranger placed his hand on his shoulder,
and said: you are wanted at room AZ.
Hardy Immediately returned, opened the
door and, as he stepped into the room, the
door closed with snap and he found HIM
self locked in. He waited a short while,
when a gentleman entered and at once pro-
ceeded to discuss the subject that had
brought them together. The terms were
quickly arranged, but the stranger informed
Hardy frankly, that he was unwilling to
pay over so large sum to him until the
vote had been cast. TO this Hardy replied
!, bo1 RI fpnrrQ nj
electors to surrender until he had the money
in hand. Time was getting short. 1t was
the day for the vote to be cast, and nearly
the hour. In this emergency the stranger
asked Hardy if he would be willing to ac-
cept the pledge of a certain private mer-
chant that the amount would be paid, and
send the telegram. Hardy agreed to this,
and they went in great haste to see the
merchant, only to find that he had left town
one hour before and could not be reached.
The telegram was never sent, the vote of
the State was given to Hayes, and that is
how Tilden came within sixty minutes of
being President" ''That is a pretty good
yarn," said one of the eX-Senators, "but
did you ever hear the real reason why the
fight in the dual Legislature failed to take
pIace?" The others had heard some causes
assigned, but were not sure that they were
II can give you the facts. The Republi-
cans had laid their plans we'll. They had
the colored Hunkidori Club, from Charles
ton, as you will remember, composed of the
most brutal daring class of low country ne
groes stationed in the State House, near the
Representative Hall, we'll armed and ready
to respond to any call. The United States
troops were on the lower floor, within easy
reach if fneeded. The Republicans only had
fifty nine members, not a Constitutional
quorum, and they could not afford to lose a
single Representative. These members
were directed, on certain night, previ-
ously agreed upon, to retire one at time
from the hall and have their places taken
by men from the Hunkidoris. The United
States Lieutenant who was to command the
guard that night was bitter Republican
partisan, and had agreed to give all the as
sistance needed to destroy the Democrats.
The night arrived and arrangements to ex-
ecute the plan were begun, when to the as
tonishment of the Republicans they found
that the officer in command of the troops
was not their man, and furthermore that he
refused to be party to any such murderOus
designs The game was blocked, and before
it could be re-arranged the leading Demo-
Gratis had discovered the plot, and in order
to avoid bloodshed had left the State House.
These facts are said to nave Oeen 1urnlSheQ
several years afterwards by E. w. NJ.
Mackey, who was Speaker of the Rump
House, and the leader Of the Republicans"
"That's all very fine" observed the 9TH
er ex-senator, "and it makes my blood run
cold nine years afterwards to hear the
subject discussed in that way. 1t puts me
to thinking what might have happened +
how the blood of some of our best people
might have stained the granite walls of our
dilapidated State House, not unmiXed pos
sibly with the blood of some of our meanest
people. But, gentlemen, in my opinion,
there was never any danger of a conflict.
The Republicans played bluff game and
won. We retired without just cause and
should have waited until we were put out
at the point of the bayonet."
By this time the cigars were smoked out,
the caucus adjourned to meet again and dis
cuss the causes leading to Democratic deser-
tion of the State House and by whose ad-
vice it was done.
MANNERS FOR BOYS.
Poor fellows! How they get hectored
and scolded and snubbed, and how continu-
al is the rubbing and polishing and drilling
which every member of the family feels at
liberty to administer.
Il