The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-06-14
POTTER COMMITTEE.
PROBINa THE PRESIDENTIAL
FRAUD.
General smith, appointment Clerk
In the treasury Department,
Tcstifies as TO Matthews
Endorsement Of Ander-
sOn-AnOther Miss
ing Letter.

WASHINGTON, Jure l3.-The Potter
Committee held brief secret session tc-
day immediately before the regular meet.
ing.
General Smith, late appointment clerk
in the Treasury Department, was re-
called, and testified that this morning he
went to the Secretary's office at the ex-
ecutive mansion and looked over the
record of letters, and found that there
had been letter referred to the Treas
ury Department March TO- 1877, which
had been written to the President by a
personal friend, recommending the ap-
pointment Of James +. Anderson. Wit
ness had but one interview with the
President in regard to Anderson's sp-
polutment. He produced n telegram from
Stanley Matthews, bearing date January
80 to himself, taken from the files
OF the Treasury Department, which he
thought was reply to the telegram sent
by Secretary Sherman. The telegram
read as follows: The letter referred to
has been received; no answer needed"
Witness had written to Matthews and
showed him one OF Andersous letters, but
did not remember the contents Of it.
Butler read from the evidence letter
written by Anderson, bearing date OF June
l9. 1877, In which he said, ANY ward
hummer who desires an appointment rs
Inspector cf Customs, sc" the full text OF
which has been hereto ,ore published, and
also q letter written TO Gen. Smith by
Stanley Matthews, dated June, 10th, as
f. lows:
DEAR GENERAL-I have your favor Of
the 10th. No one is under obligations
TO Anderson. saw him on the cars
going to Baltimore. He told me ne wss
satisfied. If be don't choose TO take what
you think Is proper drop bim. | prom
ised nothing, but TO do what | could 10
have him appointed.
Yours Respectfully,
STANLEY MATTHEWS.
General Butlor questioned the witness
1t length regarding the letter written by
Anderson declining the position OF In"
speCtOr of Customs, and as 10 the time
the letter was forwarded 10 Matthews.
The witness replied that to the best OF
his recollection he sent the letter to Mat
thews on the day OF It's receipt, June 2Otb.
At the request OF General Butler, after
having said be had in his possession an
other letter from Anderson, the
witness produced two letters and
stated that he had no particular
friendly relations with Anderson; had
advised him on certain points, and had
appointed his brother in the custom
house at Baltimore.
Another letter from Anderson to
Smith was read by General Butler, ln-
curing whether Senator Matthews had
sand anything OF his Anderson's] friend,
8 clerk in the Philadelphia custom
house, and upon being interrogsted
whether he Smith replied to that letter,
he SAID it was his recollection that he
did, and stated that he had not heard
from Senator Matthews on the subject.
General Butler called the attention Of
the witness to his testimony in which he
said that Matthews had written the Pres
ideut from Cincinnati, recommending
the appointment Of Anderson, and asked
if that letter was on file.
Smith replied that 1t was not.
Q-Dont you think it very unfortu
nate that that letter is lost2 A-No, sI;
l don't
Q-Upon whose recommendation did
yvu appoint ..Andersons brother TO the
c.eykship in the Baltimore Custom
House2 A-Upon the recommendation
of Matthews.
General Butler asked General Smith if
he was IN conference with counsel last
evening? Al do not understand the
question.
General Butler Pointing to Judge
Shellsbsrger, counsel for Secretary Sher-
mani Do you know that gentleman2
SHith-NO, sir.
Q-Do you know Judge Wilson, A
i don't know whether do or not.
Cox objected to the questions and But
Ter said he didn't propose to be reproved
further by the gentleman from Ohio
this being the third or iocth time.
Cox SAID when the occasion, in his
mind prompted it, he would certainly
n