The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-06-01
WASHINGTON.

Portsmouth with the kotn:g Wilhelm.
WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, June 1.-The public
debt statement for May shows a decrease
10 debt for the month of $3.O70,l9S.
Secretary Sherman has addressed a
letter to Representative Potter saying his
official duties will not permit him to attend
committee meeting ic person, but that he
will be represented by his counsel. Hon.
Samuel Shelabarger.
The Potter investigating committee
met to-day, all the members were present.
Potter announced as a sub-cou mittee to
visit Florida Huntoon, Springer and
Hiscock.
James e. Anderson, OF Philadelphia,
previously supervisor of registration OF
East Felieiana parish, Louisiana, was the
first witness called, and Representative
MacMahon begun the examination. Att r
giving a detailed statement as TO the duties
of supervisors of reglstratIhn, Anderson
said he had seen document. known as
the Sherman protest 1t had been altered,
not bang the same as when signed by him.
| In reply to a question as to the alteration.
| witness said there were two or three addl-
| tional paragraphs iu the document, and
| that it was filed in several places, Several
| documents were read giving detailed
statements Of the manner in which mis-,
Anderson S, life was endangered Regard
ing intimidation, &c, in his pariSh,he was
of the opinion that because he would nol
carry out the ideas of Gov. Kellogg and
others they were desirous of driving hin
out of the parish.
| In an interview with Gov. Kellogg he
was asked now his, Anderson 5, parish wal
going and he replied about 800 demo
cratic majority. Gov. Kellogg said tha
will never do, and suggested that Ander
son rally the colored votes Of the two
polls and carry them and let the remand
er of the polls go democratic, remarklns
further that witness could get up dis
turbaDce and in consequence thereo
throw democratic votes out. A d0cumeD
was produced purporting to be an afidavl
which had been signed by witness auC
Don 4. Weber, supervisor OF Wes
Feliciana parish, wherein those gentle
men were to sign protest against the re
suit Of their parishes as they knew tina
large democratic gains had been obtained
by legitimate means, the original OF thi
| dluudNlI "liD65S Sdl0 was lCS"bti9
possession of Hon. Stanley Matthews.
| While in New Orleans he heard tha
John Sherman was in the city de~irous t
Isee Don Weber and himself, wherupo
they called at St. Charles Hotel to sc
fisherman but failed to fnd him there. bu
the latter succeeded in finding him a
Molaires Restaurant, Canal street; Webe
advanced, addressing Sherman; the lat
ter remarked. gentIemen-i am glad t.
see you. Continuing, Sherman said
genlemen. | want 10 see ycu as | uuder
stanu there is some difficulty iu you
respective parish, tits is time when tn
assistance of every republican and tru
patriot is needed, and trust that you wi
= stand by us. Weber remarked, iu eu
e deavoring to do their duty they incurre
! the displeasure OF Packsr
and Kellogg, and were compelle
: to leave their respective parishes, and
: the event of Packards election as Governo
j we will get nothing from the administr;
: ton, whereupon they were assured b
? Sherman they would be cared for, q
Hayes would control the fed raj patronage
: All he desired of them was that the
should stand firm and let the record ru
along as it is. After the lapse of shol
time Weber and Anderson concluded (
forward letter TO Sherman iuformin
| hin they were not satisfied from the
conversation with him as regards beio
taken care of, and requesting he woul
inform them then in writing as to who
= they should look for the fulIfilment Of h
promises. Hiscock, Butler. and Cox of ii
committee objected to the reading of wh,
vas claimed by the witness to be cor
If the reply to their letter to Sherms
taking the ground that Sherman shou
fret see the document, aud it he recognize
II as copy of his reply then, and not III
Ill then, should it be admitted in evideuc
Judge Shellabarger, counsel for Shprma
said IN reply to question, that he had /
knowledge of Shermans having write
such letter. Butler offered resolutio
which was adopted. providing that Il
Epaper identified be received but not rel
until Secretary Sherman shall be caIle
before the committee and have an oppo
} tunity to see it, wherenpon Chairms
Potter notified Sherman of the action
the committee. The letter was produc,
signed by the witness. addressed
| Weber, stating that Packard was raisir
6 we'll because of their refusal to prote
against their returns in their respecti,