Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1878 — HE SUSPECTS TRADING BETWEEN SHERMAN AND WATTERSON. [ARTICLE]

HE SUSPECTS TRADING BETWEEN SHERMAN AND WATTERSON.

“Now I come to the question proper that you asked me. Soon after the Electoral Commission began its work I became awape that something wrong was going on. I ought to have suspected it at first, when Hayes and his friends wore found to be bitterly opposed to my being put upon the Commission (where, by the way, I never wanted to be), and as strongly anxious that Morton should be there. I knew of this opposition at the time, but attributed it to the fact of openly holding the Opinion that the VicePresident had no power to count the vote in favor of either Hayes or Tilden. Later on I became aware that the real fear on the pert of the Hayeg men was that I would be opposed to all makeshifts or bargainings, as I most certainly should be. From the moment that the Commission began its work I had uneasy feeling. That something evil was afoot 1 was sure, though I could uot get hold of anything tangible John Sherman, Watterson, Foster and other Western men had their heads together and were plotting something I knew. There was no effort that I know of to get me within the lines but once. A mutual irieud came to me and said that Mr. Watterson would like to meet me. I said, ‘Very well; the next time we go to the House I will be happy to meet him.’ We were introduced a day or two after aud had a few common place words together. The same friend— I’ll tell you who it was, ex-Senator Stewart, of Nevada—urged me several times afterwards to go and call on him. and said Watterson desired to have me dine with him. I declined, aud at last said: ‘Look here, Stewart, I don’t know what your object is, but I tell you plainly that I have no time now for diuing with Democratic members of Congress, and you may as well understand it.’ Stewart seemed to be offended, aud went away apparently in an ill temper. That was as near as l came to any of the bargain-makers; but I think everybody knew there was intrigue going on between the Southern Democracy and the friends of Huyos, and that the wires between Washington and Columbus kept the Ohio man thoroughly informed as to all that was doing in his behalf.