Chapter 51

[750]Bigelow,Life of Tilden, Vol. 1, p. 308.

[751]Francis Kernan presented Tilden's name very effectively.

[752]First ballot. Necessary two-thirds, 492. Samuel J. Tilden of New York, 404½; Thomas A. Hendricks of Indiana, 133½; Winfield Scott Hancock of Pennsylvania, 75; William Allen of Ohio, 56; Thomas F. Bayard of Delaware, 27; Joel Parker of New Jersey, 18.Second ballot: Tilden, 535; Hendricks, 60; Hancock, 59; Allen, 54; Bayard, 11; Parker, 18; Thurman of Ohio, 2.

Second ballot: Tilden, 535; Hendricks, 60; Hancock, 59; Allen, 54; Bayard, 11; Parker, 18; Thurman of Ohio, 2.

[753]This act terminates as follows: "And the United States also solemnly pledges its faith to make provision at the earliest practicable period for the redemption of the United States notes in coin."

[754]"Tilden's letter was a disappointment to those who had studied his words and acts as Governor."—Rhodes,History of the United States, Vol. 7, p. 216.

[755]Appleton'sCyclopædia, 1876, p. 790.

[756]"The public interest in an honest, skilful performance of official trust must not be sacrificed to the usufruct of the incumbents."—Appleton'sCyclopædia, 1876, p. 790.

[757]Ibid., p. 783.

[758]The Democratic State convention convened on August 30.

[759]UticaHerald, August 31, 1876.

[760]For Seymour's letter, see New York papers of September 5.

[761]The ballot stood: Potter, 106½; Robinson, 192½; scattering, 59. Necessary to a choice, 191. Before its announcement changes gave Robinson 243½.The ticket was as follows: Governor, Lucius Robinson, Chemung; Lieutenant-Governor, William Dorsheimer, Erie; Court of Appeals, Robert Earl, Herkimer; Canal Commissioner, Darius A. Ogden, Yates; Prison Inspector, Robert H. Anderson, Kings.

[761]The ballot stood: Potter, 106½; Robinson, 192½; scattering, 59. Necessary to a choice, 191. Before its announcement changes gave Robinson 243½.

The ticket was as follows: Governor, Lucius Robinson, Chemung; Lieutenant-Governor, William Dorsheimer, Erie; Court of Appeals, Robert Earl, Herkimer; Canal Commissioner, Darius A. Ogden, Yates; Prison Inspector, Robert H. Anderson, Kings.

[762]On March 15, several disaffected Democrats met at Syracuse and organised a Greenback party, which opposed the resumption of specie payment and favoured legal tender notes as the standard of value. A second convention, held in New York City on June 1, selected four delegates-at-large to the Democratic national convention, and a third, meeting at Albany on September 26, nominated Richard M. Griffin for governor. Other State nominations were made by the Prohibitionists, Albert J. Groo being selected for governor.

[763]Appleton'sCyclopædia, 1876, pp. 785, 786.

[764]Delivered at Utica, October 3. See New York papers, October 4.

[765]It was claimed that in 1862 Tilden had a net income of $89,000. He made oath to $7,118, and afterward acknowledged receiving $20,000 in the Terre Haute Railroad case. He alleged that this covered the work of several years. Moreover, that his income-producing property was largely in railroad stocks, bonds, and other securities on which the tax was deducted by the companies before the interest and dividends were paid.—Bigelow,Life of Tilden, Vol. 2, p. 232; see also,Nation, September 22, 1876.

[766]Harper's Weekly, 1876, pp. 828, 885, 906, 907.

[767]"The amount of the State tax for 1876 was $8,529,174.32, against $14,206,680.61 in 1875, and $15,727,482.08 in 1874." Appleton'sCyclopædia, 1876, p. 598.

[768]Tilden, plurality, 32,742; Robinson, 30,460. Groo, total vote, 3,412 (Prohibitionist); Griffin, 1,436 (Greenback). Congress, 17 Republicans, 16 Democrats. Assembly, 71 Republicans, 57 Democrats. Ely's majority for mayor of New York City, 53,517. Tilden's majority in New York City, 53,682.Republican losses occurred chiefly in the Hudson River and western counties. Elbridge G. Spaulding of Buffalo, and Levi P. Morton of New York, were defeated for Congress.

Republican losses occurred chiefly in the Hudson River and western counties. Elbridge G. Spaulding of Buffalo, and Levi P. Morton of New York, were defeated for Congress.

[769]Manton Marble visited Florida. On November 22, under thesobriquet"Moses," he telegraphed in cipher to William T. Pelton, Tilden's nephew, then domiciled in Tilden's home at 15 Gramercy Park: "Have just received proposition to hand over a Tilden decision of Board and certificate of Governor for $200,000." Pelton thought it too much, and Marble again telegraphed that one Elector could be secured for $50,000. Pelton replied that he "could not draw until the vote of the Elector was received." On December 5, Marble wired: "Proposition failed.... Tell Tilden to saddle Blackstone."Smith M. Weed visited South Carolina. On November 16, without the use of cipher orsobriquet, he telegraphed Henry Havermeyer: "Board demand $75,000 for two or three electors." Later in the day he added: "Looks now as though $75,000 would secure all seven votes." The next day he wired: "Press everywhere. No certainty here. Simply a hope." On November 18, he announced: "Majority of Board secured. Cost $80,000. Send one parcel of $65,000; one of $10,000; one of $5,000. All to be in $1000 or $500 bills. Have cash ready to reach Baltimore Sunday night." Pelton met Weed at Baltimore without the money and both went to New York to secure it. Meantime, the canvassing board reported in favour of Hayes.Pelton also corresponded with one J.N.H. Patrick, who telegraphed from Oregon: "Must purchase Republican elector to recognise and act with the Democrat, and secure vote to prevent trouble. Deposit $10,000 to my credit." Pelton replied: "If you will make obligation contingent on result in March it will be done." Patrick said fee could not be made contingent, whereupon $8,000 was deposited on January 1, 1877, to his credit, but too late to complete the transaction.When these telegrams, translated by the New YorkTribune, were investigated by the Potter Congressional committee in January, 1879, Marble testified that he transmitted them simply "as danger signals"; Weed admitted and attempted to justify; Pelton accepted the full responsibility, intending, he said, to get the money of Edward Cooper; Cooper testified that the telegram requesting $80,000 sent to Baltimore was his first knowledge of Pelton's activity; that he immediately informed Tilden, who recalled his nephew and put a stop to negotiations. Tilden swore that "no offer, no negotiation in behalf of any member of any Returning Board was ever entertained by me, or by my authority, or with my sanction.... There never was a moment in which I ever entertained any idea of seeking to obtain those certificates by any venal inducement, any promise of money or office, to the men who had them to grant or dispose of. My purpose on that subject was perfectly distinct, invariable, and it was generally assumed by all my friends without discussion. It may have sometimes been expressed and whenever the slightest occasion arose for it to be discussed, it was expressed. It was never deviated from in word or act."—Testimony in relation to Cipher Telegraphic Dispatches, pp. 200-274; see also, Bigelow'sLife of Tilden, Vol. 2, pp. 180-223.

Smith M. Weed visited South Carolina. On November 16, without the use of cipher orsobriquet, he telegraphed Henry Havermeyer: "Board demand $75,000 for two or three electors." Later in the day he added: "Looks now as though $75,000 would secure all seven votes." The next day he wired: "Press everywhere. No certainty here. Simply a hope." On November 18, he announced: "Majority of Board secured. Cost $80,000. Send one parcel of $65,000; one of $10,000; one of $5,000. All to be in $1000 or $500 bills. Have cash ready to reach Baltimore Sunday night." Pelton met Weed at Baltimore without the money and both went to New York to secure it. Meantime, the canvassing board reported in favour of Hayes.

Pelton also corresponded with one J.N.H. Patrick, who telegraphed from Oregon: "Must purchase Republican elector to recognise and act with the Democrat, and secure vote to prevent trouble. Deposit $10,000 to my credit." Pelton replied: "If you will make obligation contingent on result in March it will be done." Patrick said fee could not be made contingent, whereupon $8,000 was deposited on January 1, 1877, to his credit, but too late to complete the transaction.

When these telegrams, translated by the New YorkTribune, were investigated by the Potter Congressional committee in January, 1879, Marble testified that he transmitted them simply "as danger signals"; Weed admitted and attempted to justify; Pelton accepted the full responsibility, intending, he said, to get the money of Edward Cooper; Cooper testified that the telegram requesting $80,000 sent to Baltimore was his first knowledge of Pelton's activity; that he immediately informed Tilden, who recalled his nephew and put a stop to negotiations. Tilden swore that "no offer, no negotiation in behalf of any member of any Returning Board was ever entertained by me, or by my authority, or with my sanction.... There never was a moment in which I ever entertained any idea of seeking to obtain those certificates by any venal inducement, any promise of money or office, to the men who had them to grant or dispose of. My purpose on that subject was perfectly distinct, invariable, and it was generally assumed by all my friends without discussion. It may have sometimes been expressed and whenever the slightest occasion arose for it to be discussed, it was expressed. It was never deviated from in word or act."—Testimony in relation to Cipher Telegraphic Dispatches, pp. 200-274; see also, Bigelow'sLife of Tilden, Vol. 2, pp. 180-223.

[770]From an editorial signed by Henry Watterson, January 8, 1877.

[771]Rhodes,History of the United States, Vol. 7, p. 243.

[772]TheNation, June 25, 1885.

[773]Upon this committee Conkling was substituted in place of Logan, detained at home. Abram S. Hewitt was one of the House appointees.

[774]Clifford and Field were accounted Democrats, and Miller and Strong, Republicans.

[775]Bigelow,Life of Tilden, Vol. 2, p. 60.

[776]Bigelow,Life of Tilden, pp. 67-74.

[777]Manton Marble to the New YorkSun, August 5, 1878.

[778]Bigelow,Life of Tilden, Vol. 2, p. 76.

[779]Ibid., pp. 76, 79, 80.

[780]New YorkTimes, January 2, 1877.

[781]January 4.

[782]Bigelow,Life of Tilden, Vol. 2, p. 74, note.

[783]Ibid., p. 63.

[784]Blaine,Twenty Tears of Congress, Vol. 2, p. 584. Morrison of Illinois declared that Davis' "most intimate friends, among whom I may count myself, don't know to-day whether he favored Tilden or Hayes. He didn't vote at all."—Century Magazine, October, 1901, p. 928.

[785]Senate: For, 26 Democrats, 21 Republicans; against, 16 Republicans, 1 Democrat. House: For, 160 Democrats, 31 Republicans; against, 69 Republicans, 17 Democrats.

[786]Century Magazine, October, 1901, p. 933.

[787]Bigelow,Life of Tilden, Vol. 2, p. 64, note.

[788]"General Grant sent for Senator Conkling, and said with deep earnestness: 'This matter is a serious one, and the people feel it very deeply. I think this Electoral Commission ought to be appointed.' Conkling answered: 'Mr. President, Senator Morton' (who was then the acknowledged leader of the Senate), 'is opposed to it and opposed to your efforts; but if you wish the Commission carried, I can help do it.' Grant said: 'I wish it done.'"—George W. Childs,Recollections, pp. 79, 80.

[789]Conkling,Life of Conkling, p. 521.

[790]Rhodes,History of the United States, Vol. 7, p. 263.

[791]Bigelow,Life of Tilden, Vol. 2, p. 84.

[792]"In all his political official life the most important vote which he [Conkling] has been or can be called upon to give—that upon the Louisiana electoral question—he evaded."—Harper's Weekly, February 8, 1879.

[793]"He [Conkling] was at the time most suspected by the Republicans, who feared that his admitted dislike to Hayes would cause him to favour a bill which would secure the return of Tilden."—Thomas V. Cooper and Hector T. Fenton,American Politics, p. 230; see also, Rhodes,History of the United States, Vol. 7, p. 263.

[794]Bigelow,Life of Tilden, Vol. 2, p. 84."Mr. Conkling felt that neither Mr. Tilden nor Mr. Hayes should be inaugurated."—Conkling,Life of Conkling, p. 528.

[794]Bigelow,Life of Tilden, Vol. 2, p. 84.

"Mr. Conkling felt that neither Mr. Tilden nor Mr. Hayes should be inaugurated."—Conkling,Life of Conkling, p. 528.

[795]Letter of Stanley Matthews and Charles Foster, dated February 17, 1877.—Appleton'sCyclopædia, 1877, p. 459.

[796]This commission consisted of Charles B. Lawrence, Joseph B. Hawley, John M. Harlan, John C. Brown, and Wayne McVeigh.—Ibid., p. 465.

[797]Ibid., pp. 456-465. Packard became consul to Liverpool.

[798]The commission reported the Packard government's insistence that the Legislature of 1870 had the power to create a Returning Board with all the authority with which the Act clothed it, and that the Supreme Court of the State had affirmed its constitutionality. On the other hand, the Nichols government admitted the Legislature's right to confide to a Returning Board the appointment of electors for President and Vice-President, but denied its power to modify the constitutional provision for counting the vote for governor without first amending the State Constitution, declaring the Supreme Court's decision to the contrary not to be authoritative.—Appleton'sCyclopædia, 1877, pp. 403-404.

[799]Durrell, a United States Circuit judge, sustained Kellogg in his contest with McEnery.

[800]"The President directs me to say that he does not believe public opinion will longer support the maintenance of the State government in Louisiana by the use of the military, and he must concur in this manifest feeling." Grant's telegram to Packard, dated Mar. 1, 1877.

[801]New YorkTribune, July 10, 1877.

[802]The first step towards a change in the manner of appointments and removals was a bill introduced in Congress on December 20, 1865, by Thomas A. Jenckes of Rhode Island "to regulate the civil service of the United States." A few months later Senator B. Gratz Brown of Missouri submitted a resolution for "such change in the civil service as shall secure appointments to the same after previous examinations by proper Boards, and as shall provide for promotions on the score of merit or seniority." On March 3, 1871, Congress appended a section to an appropriation bill, authorising the President to "prescribe such regulations for the admission of persons into the civil service as may best promote efficiency therein and ascertain the fitness of each candidate in respect to age, health, character, knowledge and ability for the branch of service in which he seeks to enter; and for this purpose he may employ suitable persons to conduct such inquiries, prescribe their duties, and establish regulations for the conduct of persons who may receive appointments." Under this authority President Grant organised a commission composed of George William Curtis, Joseph Medill, Alexander C. Cattell, Davidson A. Walker, E.B. Ellicott, Joseph H. Blackfan, and David C. Cox. This commission soon found that Congress was indisposed to clothe them with the requisite power, and although in the three years from 1872 to 1875, they had established the entire soundness of the reform, an appropriation to continue the work was refused and the labours of the commission came to an end.

[803]New YorkTribune, June 25, 1877.

[804]New YorkTribune, July 28, 1877.

[805]Ibid.

[806]In his speech at Woodstock, Conn., on July 4, Blaine disapproved the President's action; a gathering of Republicans in New Jersey, celebrating the return of Robeson from a foreign tour, indicated an unfriendly disposition; the Camerons of Pennsylvania, father and son, exhibited dissent; one branch of the New Hampshire Legislature tabled a resolution approving the President's course; and an early Republican State convention in Iowa indirectly condemned it.

[807]In H.R. 45th Cong., 3d Sess., No. 140, p. 48 (Potter report) is a list of those connected with the Louisiana count "subsequently appointed to or retained in office."

[808]These conventions occurred as follows: Ohio, August 2; Maine, August 9; Pennsylvania, September 6; Wisconsin, September 12; Massachusetts, September 20; New Jersey, September 25. See New York papers on the day following each.

[809]New YorkTribune, February 28, 1877.

[810]"Platt and I imbibed politics with our earliest nutriment. I was on the stump the year I became a voter, and so was he. I was doing the part of a campaign orator and he was chief of the campaign glee club. The speech amounted to little in those days unless it was assisted by the glee club. In fact the glee club largely drew the audience and held it. The favorite song of that day was 'John Brown's Body,' and the very heights of ecstatic applause were reached when Brother Platt's fine tenor voice rang through the arches of the building or the trees of the woodland, carrying the refrain, 'We'll hang Jeff Davis on a sour apple tree, while John Brown's soul goes marching on.'"—Chauncey M. Depew,Speeches, 1896 to 1902, p. 237.

[811]The vote stood 311 to 110 in favour of the motion.

[812]Appleton'sCyclopædia, 1877, pp. 562-563.

[813]New YorkTribune, September 27.

[814]Curtis declined chiefly from the motive ascribed in Lowell's lines:"At courts, in senates, who so fit to serve?And both invited, but you would not swerve,All meaner prizes waiving that you mightIn civic duty spend your heat and light,Unpaid, untrammelled, with a sweet disdain.Refusing posts men grovel to attain."—Lowell's Poems, Vol. 4, pp. 138-139.

[814]Curtis declined chiefly from the motive ascribed in Lowell's lines:

"At courts, in senates, who so fit to serve?And both invited, but you would not swerve,All meaner prizes waiving that you mightIn civic duty spend your heat and light,Unpaid, untrammelled, with a sweet disdain.Refusing posts men grovel to attain."—Lowell's Poems, Vol. 4, pp. 138-139.

[815]SeeChapter XII.,p. 166.

[816]New YorkTribune, September 27, 1877.

[817]"He [Conkling] never linked his name with any important principle or policy."—Political Recollections, George W. Julian, p. 359."Strictly speaking Senator Conkling was not an originator of legislative measures. He introduced few bills which became laws. He was not an originator, but a moulder of legislation.... It may be said that during his last seven years in the Senate, no other member of that body has, since the time of Webster and Clay, exercised so much influence on legislation."—Alfred R. Conkling,Life of Conkling, pp. 645-649.

[817]"He [Conkling] never linked his name with any important principle or policy."—Political Recollections, George W. Julian, p. 359.

"Strictly speaking Senator Conkling was not an originator of legislative measures. He introduced few bills which became laws. He was not an originator, but a moulder of legislation.... It may be said that during his last seven years in the Senate, no other member of that body has, since the time of Webster and Clay, exercised so much influence on legislation."—Alfred R. Conkling,Life of Conkling, pp. 645-649.

[818]Harper's Weekly, March 11, 1876. For other editorials referred to, see February 5; April 8, 15, 29; May 20; June 3, 17, 1876; March 24; April 21; July 21; August 11; September 22, 1877.

[819]Conkling,Life of Conkling, pp. 538-549; New YorkTribune, October 1, 1877.

[820]After the death of Thomas B. Reed of Maine, this speech was found in his scrap-book among the masterpieces of sarcasm and invective.

[821]White,Autobiography, Vol. 1, p. 171.

[822]"Because half-a-dozen grasshoppers under a fern make the field ring with their importunate chink, while thousands of great cattle beneath the shadow of the British oak chew the cud and are silent, pray do not imagine that those who make the noise are the only inhabitants of the field, that of course they are many in number, or that, after all, they are other than the little, shrivelled, meagre, hopping, though loud and troublesome, insects of the hour."—Edmund Burke. George H. Jennings,Anecdotal History of the British Parliament, p. 159.

[823]New YorkTribune(correspondence), September 28.

[824]Alfred R. Conkling,Life of Conkling, p. 540.

[825]Edward Cary,Life of Curtis, p. 258.

[826]Curtis's amendment was defeated by 311 to 110.

[827]The candidates were: Secretary of State, John C. Churchill, Oswego; Comptroller, Francis Sylvester, Columbia; Treasurer, William L. Bostwick, Ithaca; Attorney-General, Grenville Tremaine, Albany; Engineer, Howard Soule, Onondaga.

[828]The Democratic State convention met at Albany on October 3, 1877.

[829]New YorkTribune, September 1, 1877.

[830]"The man who has been the most effective organiser of corruption strikes boldly for release. He is arrayed as an element in the combination which attacks the Governor and Democratic State officers, and which seeks to reverse their policy."—AlbanyArgus, October 4, 1877.

[831]"How the Kelly faction got control of the Democratic convention and used it for the supposed benefit of Kelly is hardly worth trying to tell. A description of the intrigues of a parcel of vulgar tricksters is neither edifying nor entertaining reading."—TheNation, October 11, 1877.

[832]New YorkTribune, October 4, 1877.

[833]New YorkTribune, October 4."The defeat of Bigelow and Fairchild will be the triumph of the reactionists who think that the golden era of the State was in the days before thieves were chastised and driven out of the Capital and State House."—AlbanyArgus, October 4, 1877.

[833]New YorkTribune, October 4.

"The defeat of Bigelow and Fairchild will be the triumph of the reactionists who think that the golden era of the State was in the days before thieves were chastised and driven out of the Capital and State House."—AlbanyArgus, October 4, 1877.

[834]Secretary of State, Allen C. Beach, Jefferson; Comptroller, Frederick P. Olcott, Albany; Treasurer, James Mackin, Dutchess; Attorney-General, Augustus Schoonmaker, Jr., Ulster; Engineer, Horatio Seymour, Jr., Oneida.On October 6, a convention of Labor Reformers, held at Troy, nominated a State ticket with John J. Junio for Secretary of State. The Prohibition and Greenback parties also nominated State officers, Henry Hagner and Francis E. Spinner being their candidates for secretary of state. The Social Democrats likewise presented a ticket with James McIntosh at its head.

On October 6, a convention of Labor Reformers, held at Troy, nominated a State ticket with John J. Junio for Secretary of State. The Prohibition and Greenback parties also nominated State officers, Henry Hagner and Francis E. Spinner being their candidates for secretary of state. The Social Democrats likewise presented a ticket with James McIntosh at its head.

[835]New YorkTribune, October 4.

[836]This meeting was held in New York City on October 10. See New York papers of the 11th.

[837]"The UticaRepublicanis an aggressive sheet. It calls George William Curtis 'the Apostle of Swash.'"—New YorkTribune, October 27.

[838]Ibid., November 2.

[839]Democrats elected a governor by 22,520 plurality and carried the Legislature by forty on joint ballot.—Appleton'sCyclopædia, 1877, p. 621.

[840]New YorkTribune, November 3, 1877.

[841]Total vote of John J. Junio (Labour Reformer), 20,282; Henry Hagner (Prohibitionist), 7,230; John McIntosh (Social Democrat), 1,799; Francis E. Spinner (Greenback), 997.—Appleton'sCyclopædia, 1877, p. 566.

[842]"We elected our district attorney by 2,336 majority, but the candidate for State senator, who was known to represent Senator Conkling, although personally popular and most deserving, was beaten by 1,133.... It is fair to say that the unpopularity of the federal office-holders, who are Mr. Conkling's most zealous supporters, is in part the cause of this remarkable result." Interview of Ellis H. Roberts.—New YorkTribune, November 10, 1877."The energies of all the opposition to me were concentrated upon that district. I believe Tammany and the lofty coterie of Republican gentlemen in this city (New York) threw money into my district to carry it against me.... Had we been sufficiently aroused and sagacious we could have defeated this manœuvre, but we found out too late. We sent the tickets to the polls, in the ward in which I live, at daylight, as did the Democrats. Not one of our tickets was found at the polls. They were all thrown into the canal." Interview with Conkling.—New YorkHerald, November 9, 1877.

"The energies of all the opposition to me were concentrated upon that district. I believe Tammany and the lofty coterie of Republican gentlemen in this city (New York) threw money into my district to carry it against me.... Had we been sufficiently aroused and sagacious we could have defeated this manœuvre, but we found out too late. We sent the tickets to the polls, in the ward in which I live, at daylight, as did the Democrats. Not one of our tickets was found at the polls. They were all thrown into the canal." Interview with Conkling.—New YorkHerald, November 9, 1877.

[843]The Legislature of 1878 had in the Senate: 18 Republicans, 13 Democrats, 1 Independent; in the Assembly: 66 Republicans, 61 Democrats, 1 Independent.

[844]Tammany elected its entire county ticket. Its majority for the State ticket was 30,520.

[845]New YorkTimes, May 2, 1878.

[846]The UticaRepublican, July 1, 1878.

[847]New YorkTimes(correspondence), September 27.

[848]A single roll-call resulted as follows: George F. Danforth, Monroe, 226; Joshua M. Van Cott, Kings, 99; George Parsons, Westchester, 79. The Prohibition State convention, which assembled at Albany on April 24, had nominated Van Cott.

[849]"The Democratic convention at Syracuse was perhaps the noisiest, most rowdy, ill-natured, and riotous body of men which ever represented the ruling party of a great Commonwealth."—TheNation, October 3.

[850]Cooper had resigned from Tammany in 1877.

[851]Appleton'sCyclopædia, 1878, p. 624.

[852]TheNation, October 3.

[853]Appleton'sCyclopædia, 1878, p. 623.

[854]New YorkTribune, October 8 and 16.

[855]SeeChapter XXVII., pp.350,351, note.

[856]October 24, 1878.

[857]On May 13, 1878, Congressman Potter of New York secured the appointment of a committee of eleven to investigate alleged frauds in the Florida and Louisiana Returning Boards, with authority to send for persons and papers. He refused to widen the scope of the investigation to include all the States, presumably to avoid the damaging evidence already known relating to Pelton's effort to secure a presidential elector in Oregon. TheTribune'stimely exposure of the telegrams turned the investigation into a Democratic boomerang.

[858]In reference to Kelly's despotic rule see speeches of Anti-Tammany opponents in New YorkTribune(first page), October 31, 1878.

[859]Myers,History of Tammany, p. 310.

[860]Danforth, Republican, 391,112; Bradley, Democrat, 356,451; Tucker, National, 75,133; Van Cott, Prohibitionist, 4,294. Assembly: Republicans, 98; Democrats, 28; Nationals, 2. Congress: Republicans, 26; Democrats, 7. Cooper over Schell, 19,361.

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