The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-10
S. j. T. 1876 x.
Much-Sought Hotel Register-Whitney,
Pelton and Smith Weed

Much-Sought Hotel Register-Whitney,
Pelton and Smith Weed.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, June 9-Politicans here are
discussing with much interest the discovery of
Secretary Whtneys connection with the cipher
dispatches of 1876. The intention of the Pres
ident to 60 to the Mt. Vernon Hotel in Balti-
more had his wedding taken place later than it
did, caused people to wonder why he selected
that place. 1t has turned out to be favorite
resort for high politicians, and a recent visit of
Hon. William L. Scott has singularly brought out
the fact the Democratic leaders had tried to
keep quiet for the last ten years Not long ago
the manager of the Mt Vernon Hotel was some
what perplexed by number of requests to see
the hotel register for 1875 Among the visitors
and inquiries was Hon. VIM. L. Scott of Penn
sylvania, who is now spoken of as the successor
of Mr.. Manning as Secretary of the Treasury.
Not only was Mr.. Scott anxious to see the book.
but his son also inquired for it. There was moth
ing particularly noticeable about this
fact on the surface but when
the reason for the great desire to
see or possess that book is known, it changes the
entire complexion of things. William T. Pelton,
Governor Tilden's nephew. stopped at the Mt.
Vernon Hotel on Nov. 20, 1876, when he arrived
from New York, to meet Smith Nj. Weed, who
had been to South Carolina for the purpose of
purchasing the electoral votes of that State for
$50, ,O00 Mr. Scott's anxiety to see or obtain the
register has been marked, and hence his visit
to the hotel. When this fact became known to
Republicans here they re-exanned the records
that Mr.. Weed. on Nov Is, telegraphed from
Columbia, S. c., to Mr. Pelton, that the electoral
vote of South Carolina could be secured for $780,
O00 He requested Pelton to get the money in
three parcels of $65. 600, $4,000 and $1,000, and
meet him in Baltimore on Sunday night Two
pamphlets published by the New York Tribune
of JAN IA, 1879, give the following hotel arrivals
at Baltimore on Monday morning, Nov. 80, 1876:
At Barnum's Hotel, Smith NJ. Weed, of New
York; at the Mount Vernon Hotel, William j.
Pelton, of New York. The Tribune account
then proceeds:
both arrived early Colonel Pelton was ac-
companied by friend with whom, after break
fast, he took a carriage and in the course of the
day it is positively known that this friend was in
company with Mr.. Weed at Barnum's Hotel"
This is all that the Tribune had to say about
this mysterious friend. He disappears, only to
be resurrected ter years afterwards. When
the Potter committee investigated the cipher
dispatches, the fact was not brought out that
any friend accompanied Mr.. Pelton to Baltimore.
Mr. Tilden, Mr. Weed. Mr.. Pelton and Mr. Ed
ward Cooper were examined and it appeared that
Mr. Pelton, on the night of his departure for
Baltimore, told Mr. Cooper that he was going
there to meet Weed about the South Carolina
count. and that he might want $6O, 900 or $50 0O0
that upon receiving telegram from Mr.. Pelton
the next day, from Baltimore, Mr.. Cooper in.
formed Mr.. Tiiden what was going on. and Pei
ton was recalled by telegraph; and the Potter
committee vas given to understand that Mr.