Year: 1876

Among the people of Berkshire
County there is perhaps no one whose
sentiments on political topics are en-
titled to greater weight than are those of
General Bartlett. His gallant services
during the war and his wide reputation
as an able, conscientious and upright
citizen since the surrender at Appomat-
tox have secured for him warm place
in the hearts of his countrymen: Gen.
Bartlett has been well known hitherto as
belonging to that large class of indepen-
dent voters, and that these people may
know the sentiments of so distinguished
a member of their ranks, am kindly
permitted to make public the substance
of brief interview which l had with
the General to-day.


"Ihave no hesitation in saying that I
am earnestly and heartily in favor of
the election of Tilden and Hendricks"
said General Bartlett, in answer to
question as to his position in the present
campaign. 81 think the early prosperity
and welfare of the country are entirely
dependent on their success"


"Do you think you expire ssthe senti-
ments of the class of voters to which
you belong?' asked.


"Whether they are the sentiments of
majority of the Independent voters of
the country am not able to say" re-
piled General Bartlett, "but they seem
to be entirely consistent with what l re-
gard as the platform of the Independent
Reformers, namely, the Fifth Avenue
Address. l entirely agree with Mr.. Parke
Goodwin in his Interpretation of that ad-
dress. Mr.. Hayes may be very re-
spectacle gentleman, but, in my opinion,
he is nevertheless the man described in
the address as the man who ought not
to be nominated while Governor Tilden
appears to me to be exactly the kind of
man which the address described as
the man who ought to be nominated. As
Governor of New York he has shown
that he possesses both the ability and the
courage to institute and carry out the
reforms which are so much needed in
the administration of the National Gov
eminent, and which the people SO
earnestly desire. To quote the address ::
His capacity and courage for the work
of reform are matters of record rather
than of promise ="


"Then you have no faith in the promises
made by Governor Hayes in his letter of
acceptanceW


,"Governor Hayes may mean well
enough, but look at the men who are
supporting him! Does anybody sup
pose that on the event of his election
Governor Hayes is going to say to Mr..
Blaine, Mr.. Chandler, Mr.. Morton, Mr..
Conkling, Gen. Butler and the rest Of
them, you are the men who have
brough the country into disgrace and
then turn his back upon them? Such
a supposition is absurd upon the face oi
it. Look at General Kilpatrick's letter
to Governor Hayes. That shows the
kind of men that are supporting the Re
publican candidates. Iregard that letter
as simply infamous, and if it can be showr
that Governor Hayes received that lettel
without denouncing its author openly
at once it ought to defeat him by itself


"Being soldier, yourself, General
what is your opinion of Gen. Dix's cir
cular calling for the organization of thu
Boys in Blue to aid in the election o
Gov. Hayes?' "That circular" replied
the General, forcibly, I" is simply infamous
and it will hurt Gov. Hayes and hi
} cause far more than it can help him.