The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-07-09
The Potter Committee.

WAHHINUTOHt July ot-mEs SpEAbbSk
says the Potter Committee will not re-
qnire more than one or possibly two
weeks 10 conclude their examination
here, when the work will be transferred
10 New Orleans. All the papers will be
sent there. Senator Kellogg will testify
here, and there are several more witnes'
sea In the Florida case. Potter, Hunton,
Butler, Hiscock and Springer are ex-
peeted Wednesday:
Thomas McWilliams (colored) testi'
fed that he lives in East Feliciana; uF
to 1875 he belonged 10 the Republican
party; know Captain DeGray; considered
him the leading Republican Of the par
ish; he told me to inform our friends
that there was no use in voting; that the
vote would be thrown out; he had known
me as Republican. To Mr.. Reed: II
was well known that I had joined the
Democrats; told Captain DeGray so after
we had talked about the election.
John D. Lee, Of East Feliciana, testi-
fed that In 1876 he voted the Democratic
ticket; in 1874 he voted q mixed ticket,
prior to the election in 1876 DeGray
spoke to me about acting as constable on
the day Of election; before the election
I saw DeGray and Campbell, they told
me there would be no Republican
ticket in the parish; that this was
the programme which was agreed on
down below, meaning New Orleans.
Know that DeGray was in the habit OF
consulting prominent Republicans In
New Orleans. He was really the head OF
the Republican party in the parish.
To Mr.. Reed-Was present when Pack.
ard and Lewis made speeches in the par.
ish, and when Republican speaker was
made to take back what he had said.
Here discussion between the members
OF the committee arose as 10 whether or
not the question OF intimidation should
be gone into, and 1t was decided in the
negative.
John S. Lawer, Of East Feliciana, tes-
titled. Am planter and Clerk Of the
District Court. Knew the leaders OF the
Republican party, and from converse.
tions with them inferred they would not
nominate a ticket. Had conversations
with Anderson, who wanted his friend
Nash put on the ticket for Congress. And
erson said il this was done the election
would be all right, otherwise 1t would
not. The warrant cashed for Anderson
afterwards fell into my hands and was
paid into the Parish Treasury at its face
value, for taxes. Witness in response to
question, submitted copy Of the indict-
ment found by the grand jury May 2oth,
1872, against Thos. II. jerks for embezzl.
ing 10000 as tax collector. The records
shows this indictment was nolle pressed
May 22d, same year also another indict-
ment, which was similarly disposed Of.
There is Court proceedings against jerks
for amout OF deficit. / find no
indictment against L. B. Jenks. To
Mr.. Reed, the records Of the court do not
show that any warrant was Issued ior
jerks, and he may not have known OF his
Indictment.
John D. Lee recalled by stenger: In
1874 the Republican majority was about
800, but in our parish several Democrats
were elected to parish Offices. There was
a split in the parish, but the Republican
State ticket received about 800 majority.
Jesse Hampton, colored, Of East Fe-
liciana, testified: Prince Jones, who
lives at Jackson, told me that Captain
Butler, Republican, before the election
came to his house and advised him not to
20 out on election day unless he voted the
Democrat ticket.
At2 o'clock the committee ladiourned
until II o'clock tomorrow.
MR.. REED aoEs HOME.
New ORLEANS, June s.-Hon. 7. B:
Reed, OF Maine, Republican member OF
the Potter subcommittee, left this even:
ing, via Mobile, Tor home. Mr.. Cox, OF
Ohio, is expected to arrive here to-mor.
row to take Mr.. Reeds place on the COM