Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-25
TIE Potter Co,,,,,.ittee.

ATLANTIC Cry, N. j., July 24.-The Potter
committee, this morning, called Representative
Kelley, the examination being conducted by
Representative Hiscock. Kelley testified that
lie visited New Orleans in November, 1875.
President Grant, while in Philadelphia, particle
patirg in the closing ceremonies of the exposl-
ton, sent Tor witness. He found President
Grant surrounded by distinguished gentlemen.
among them General Robert Patterson. Presi-
dent Grant proposed he should visit New Or
leans, to witness the action of the returning
board. At first he declined, but the President
said number of prominent gentlemen
of the Democratic party had gone there, and
therefore, he wanted him to go. He was mere
ly to go to New Orleans as q lookeron and to
see that nothing improper should occur. Pre-
v1ous to going he had no conversation with any
one but President Grant.
Gen. Patterson concurred in the suggestion
that he ought to go. He left Philadelphia No
vember 10, entirely alone but on the route
found himself in company with Secretary Sher-
man, and on arriving at New Orleans found a
number OF visiting gentlemen, Republicans in
politics.
The witness stated that the Republican Wis
ting statesmen found there distinguished gen.
acknowledgements. A committee of the lat
ter addressed communication to the former,
proposing that the two bodies of visitors or
game and participate in the business Of the
returning board. The Republican committee
replied: I'VE are here as private citizens, with
official powers. We cannot therefore, SUI
percede or modify any law of the State nor
any of the officers as to the manner
IN which they shall perform the ministerial or
judicial duties imposed upon them by
Its laws. Senator Sherman concurred very de-
icedly in the views expressed by the Republic
can committee Visitors of opposite sides
,.IoI
question whether the Republican committee
discussed any question involving an inter
ference with the official duties of the returning
board, witness said he never heard any such
conversation in private OF at meetings. If any
one of the delegation had attempted such a
thing 1t would have been treacherous to his
associates as we'll as violation of duty.
Kelley, In the course of his testimony. said
he never heard OF any suggestion to manipu-
late parishes for any purpose. Nor did he ever
hear afhdavits were signed with names of fic-
titious persons. He did not know of such men
having a conversation with Weber and Ander-
son; had no consciousness of ever having seen
Weber. The action Of the returning board
was not communicated to witness in any way.
He was, however, OF the opinion and frequent
ly said So that fraud had been perpetrated on
both sides. but that if just returns were made,
they would give the electoral vote to Hayes.
His attention was called to Weher's testi-
ing board was influenced by the visiting states
men to reopen the returns. Witness said this
unqualifiedly false, in whole or in part
Nothing was done for which any such assertion
could even be made. Witness never heard any
such rumor. The general character of the evil
dence showed intimidation; some of it was
most abhorrent. He heard the stories
of Eliza Pinkston and Rosa Richmond
and another old negro witness. Fully believed
all their statements. There was violence of
the most desperate character. If Eliza Pink
ston's story is not true then the stage has lost
a brilliant ornament.
Kelly was cross-examined by Potter, but
nothing of importance elected.
Cortland Parker, of New York, testified he
visited New Orleans solely at the request of
President Grant. He did not, while in Louis
lana, hear doubts thrown on the protest made
by Anderson as to East Feliciana, or that it
was interlined. or that Anderson wished to
withdraw it.
Rspresen alive Hale testified that he went to