The Daily Dispatch

To the People of Oregon.

Inasmuch as grossly false statements purporting to relate what occurred at the meeting of the Electoral College to-day are being industriously circulated by members of the Republican party, we, the undersigned, submit the following as a faithful detail of the proceedings in question in said Electoral College, held in Salem on the 6th day of December, 1876, at the hour of 12: There were present in the room designated as the one in which the electoral vote should be cast the following persons: J. C. Cartwright, J. H. Odell, J. W. Watts, Henry Klipple, W. B. Caswell, and E. A. Cronin. At the said hour the door of the room in which the said electoral vote was to be cast was opened and the Secretary of State handed to Mr. Cronin an envelope containing the certificates in verification of the election as electors of E. A. Cronin, J. C. Cartwright, and J. H. Odell. After handing the certificate to Mr. Cronin the Secretary retired from the room immediately. Afterward Mr. Cartwright opened the door and admitted one Mr. Minte, a police-officer of the city of Salem and deputy United States marshal. Upon entering, Minte closed the door, locked it, and took out the key. Whereupon he was requested to leave the room. Cartwright and Odell insisted at first upon Mr. Minte remaining, but finally, upon the request of Cartwright, Minte retired, leaving the key in the door. Odell then locked the door and took the key, but on request of a Democrat replaced the key in the door. Cronin then read, in the presence and hearing of all those in the room, one of the certificates showing the election of himself, Odell, and Cartwright. After the reading Cronin inquired of Odell and Cartwright if they were ready to vote with him and proceed with their business as electors? They answered by demanding the certificates in Cronin's possession, Cartwright acting as principal spokesman. Cronin, in reply, proposed to proceed with the vote for President and Vice-President, stating in effect that the certificates would be produced and attached to the certificates showing the result. Cartwright and Odell refused to proceed, and requested Klipple and Caswell to retire, which they declined to do. Cartwright then arose, and addressing Cronin, said: "If you want a row, you might as well have it now as at any other time." Cronin replied: "Sit down; we are not here to have a row, but to vote for President and Vice-President." Cronin then again requested Cartwright and Odell to proceed with the election. Cartwright then moved that Odell should act as chairman. Upon the vote, himself and Odell declared the motion carried, and Odell then appointed Cartwright secretary. Dr. Watts then read a paper purporting to be his resignation as elector. Cartwright moved the acceptance of the pretended resignation, and it was declared carried; and immediately thereafter, by the votes of the two, Watts was declared elector to fill the vacancy.

These proceedings were interrupted throughout by dialogues which had the character of altercations between Cronin on the one side and Cartwright and Odell on the other, Cronin insisting that the latter should act with him and pronounce the vote of the College and they refusing to do so. After the pretended appointing of Watts, Cronin arose, and, addressing Cartwright and Odell, said in effect, if not in these precise words, "Gentlemen, do you refuse to act with me in proceeding with the business of the Electoral College?" One or both of them replied, signifying an unqualified refusal. Cronin then said that this refusal to act created two vacancies in the Electoral College, and that he appointed J. N. L. Miller, of Jackson county, to fill one of said vacancies. Mr. Miller having been introduced in the room and informed of what had taken place, asked Cartwright and Odell if they refused to act with Cronin in counting the vote of the State? Cartwright answering, said they had refused, and Mr. Miller then signified his intention to accept the appointment. The two then appointed John Parker secretary, and the votes were taken by ballot for President and Vice-President, and the business formally proceeded with to the end. Pending these proceedings Cartwright, Watts, and Odell were engaged in signing papers.

E. A. CRONIN,
W. B. CASWELL,
HENRY KLIPPLE.