The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-03-31
SOUTH CAROLINA IN 1876.
RSample of the Politics in That Unfortunate
State in Those Dark Days.
Augusta Chronicle. ]

A few evenings since three veterans of 1876
were discussing 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. The latter said: "Did
you ever hear how near Tilden came to re-
ceiving the electoral vote of South Caro-
lina?' His friends had heard something on
this subject, but if he had anything new to
offer they would be glad to listen.
We'll, gentlemen" he proceeded, 'Tilden
was within one hour of being president of the
United States. The South Carolina Repub.
| high. The Democrats wanted them, how
ever, although their price was a little exhor-
| bitant. The State committee was not in
| position to purchase their votes and had lit
| tie interest in or desire to do so, as Hampton
| had been elected Governor and the people
were so rejoiced over this that National mat
| tiers were regarded as small consequences.
| The National committee bad information of
| the condition of the electoral ticket, and was
| somewhat more inclined to invest. The diff
| iculty was, however, that the Republican
| electors were such consummate scoundrels
| that no reliance could be placed on their
| promises. 1t was necessary then TO secure a
| third party to conduct negotiations.
broken Columbia banker, whom we will
| call Hardy, who had received part of the
| plumber of the radical crowd, was selected.
| He soon perfected arrangements for trasfeI
| of the votes from Hayes to Tilden for the sum
of 100000. The democrtic representative &C
ceded to the proposal, and directed Hardy 10
| go Immediately TO Barnum's hotel in Balh-
more and call at rom AZ where ne would
| find a party waiting who would pay over the
amount agreed upon. Hardy arrived prompt
| ly at Barnum's and, examining the name on
the hotel register opposite room AZ, he found
| that ii was so badly written that he was I'M
| able to read it. He called the clerk to his
assistance, but Ibis gentleman also failed to
| decipher the signature. Hardy walked up
to AZ and knocked, but receiving no answer,
retired. He strolled out to the street and
while walking along leisurely 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 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 that
he had promised not to telegraph the elect
oIs 10 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 il he would be willing to accept the
pledge OF a certain private merchant that the
amount would be paid and send the tele
gram. 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 pretty good yarn" said enc Of
| the ex-senators, "but did you ever hear the
real reason why the fight in the dual legis-
lature failed to take place? / can give you
plsnswell. They had the colored Hunki-
dori club from Charleston, as you will re-
member. composed Of the most brutal and
daring class of low country negroes stationed
in the STATE house. uear Representative hall,
well armed aud ready TO respond TO any call.
The United States troops were on the lower
6oor, within easy reach il needed, The Re-