The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-06-27
HE HAD THE VOTES TO SELL.
a Negro Delegate Who was Disguised
Votes at 500 Each.
IChicago Special to the Republic. !

TChicago Special TO the Republic. II
IF surface indications may be taken as evil
dence, Alger is literally buying his way to II
presidential nomination, and to people unused
to such a spectacle the sight of the purchase
sale and delivery of votes is well calculated q
arouse establishment and even sorrow 1t wa
known all along that Alger had barrel which
he was willing to tap literally to secun
the nomination, but 1t was not supposed
that he, or anyone representing him, would
descend to the practices with which he stand
charged The alleged purchases may not hav,
been made with his knowledge, and he MAJ
have delivered the money over to his agent
with the mere injunction to use TO the best DOS
sible purpose, but this will not acquit him 0
moral responsibility in connection with tn,
matter The openness with which deals wer,
conducted to-day staggers belief. No apparen
effort was made to conceal the nature of thu
operations and the bargains were made almos
with open DOORS
A Republic reporter was standing in the sec
ond-hoor corridor of the Grand Pacific thi
afternoon when negro named Smith of Wash
ingtOn, who was secretary of the convention
held in the District of Columbia which nomi
mated Shellenbarger and Dyson, approached
him and offered to sell two tickets to the con
vention for SO. He said in explanation:
ave have been downed In the District G
Co lumbia fight, and now that Sherman ha
been downed l want to get out of this and z
home"
I'm what way has Sherman been done up?
the reporter asked.
"0h, they are combining against him."
"WhoP
''Why, the South. The negroes in one o
two of the Southern states are ready TO qui
him now. In fact, | have thirteen votes j.
Virginia and North Carolina which l am goin
| to sell"
''You are going to sell them 10 whom?"
why to Alger, of course. ! have an az
pointment TO meet Hecker, his friend, in FEY
moments in thisfoom."
And what are you to be paid for tn
| votes?'
zone hundred dollars piece"
: Mr. Smith then started upstairs and the RI
/ porter went with him. 'I'll go along with 70
/ if you have no objection" the reporter said.
who are you anyway" Smith asked SUI
| piciOusly.
"oh, i'm friend of Ayers" was the Re
spouse.
Smith did not appear to be fully convinced
for he added, you have no badge on"
That's all right Pm a friend all the same,
was the reporters answer.
! well, you may come along" Smith sal
! finally, but l don't suppose Hecker wi
care to have you present when we discuss tn
! thing"
Smith and the reporter went to the room
! which the former said was occupied by Heckel
! room so, but finding that there was no sue
room, Smith started down stairs 10 the Mich
| gan headquarters to get the correct number
| The reporter searched around and found Fred
! erick j. Hecker of Detroit, who is managiu
| Ayers boom, located in room los, and h
! fastened thither. He found the room file
with colored delegates, most of them stu
wearing Sherman badges. One darkey wa
saying:
eve stuck TO Sherman as long as we could
! but now we are ready to change"
| Mr. Hecker was seated on a bed, but arOs
! presently and retired 10 an ante-roOm with
/ colOred delegate, the door leading TO the rOor
| being guarded by a member of the Detroi
| journal staff, who permitted no one to enter Q
| to disturb Mr.. Hecker while presumably Ell
! gagged in important negotiations The reporte
took a seat and awaited developments. Abou
two minutes latter, Smith, who had evidentl
been directed Alright in the meantime, entered
/ His coming had evidently been awaited, 70
| Senator Stockbridge, who was present, went u
| to him Immediately and shook him by tn
J hand. They then seated themselves on the sid
| of the bed, and Senator Stockbridge said:
T Il see that you still wear Sherman badge
! Well, he is a good man and have nothing t
say against him. But think can show 20
/ that we have a better man."
! Smiths reply was TO the effect that h
! thought such might be the case. Senate
! Stockbridge then whispered few words in tn
| ear of young man who was in the room an
| the latter retired with Smith to an upper story
where the alleged deal may have been cor
/ summated.