The newcomer was Mr.William E.Chandler, even then a very prominent Republican politician, just arrived from New Hampshire and very much exasperated by what he had read.
Mr.Reid had another tale to tell.

The two found Mr.Zachariah Chandler, who bade them leave him alone and do whatever they thought best.

They did so, consumingly, sending telegrams to Columbia, Tallahassee and New Orleans, stating to each of the parties addressed that the result of the election depended upon his State.

To these was appended the signature of Zachariah Chandler.
Later in the day Senator Chandler, advised of what had been set on foot and its possibilities, issued from National Republican headquarters this laconic message: "Hayes has 185 electoral votes and is elected." Thus began and was put in motion the scheme to confuse the returns and make a disputed count of the vote.
VII The day after the election I wired Mr.Tilden suggesting that as Governor of New York he propose to Mr.Hayes, the Governor of Ohio, that they unite upon a committee of eminent citizens, composed in equal numbers of the friends of each, who should proceed at once to Louisiana, which appeared to be the objective point of greatest moment to the already contested result.

Pursuant to a telegraphic correspondence which followed, I left Louisville that night for New Orleans.