New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-13
THE POTTER COMMITTEE.
WHY MR.. MATTHEWS DID NOT APPEAR.

1 WHY MIX. MATTHEWS DID NOl NJ IIAn.
A SHORT SESSION AND NO TESTIMONY GENERAL
| BUTLER ASKS FOR ISFeRMATIos ABOUT The
SUMMONS To STANLEY MATTHEWS
The Potter Investigating Committee met
yesterday In che Naval Office Of the HeW-York Custom
Bouse Twelve O'Clock the hour fixed for the ses-
son but there was delay account Of the abb
senee OF Mr. HscOe who had not yet reached the ely
little before few spectators loanged Into the
room; among James Il. Anderson, OF Return
ing Board fame who, after tumbng about some OF the
documents on the committees table took his seat ~
corner and gazed around, apparently searching for
friendly face soon Colonel j. c. s. blackburn. Of the
COMMITTED entered and after sinking Anderson warmly
by the hand his scat at the table and began open
reading letters taat had awaited his com
ing few spectators or possible Witnesses came
aud in chairs along the wall Ontb
entrance OF one of these, AndersOus face brghtened
he sprang his chair, walked half to the dooi
grasped bis hand and led bin to his seat, himself re-
naming standing by his side. He had found friend;
he proved TO be Mr.. Leet, Of The Neg-0rteaHs Times
Next General b. Butler sauntered in with the short
end OF cigar between his teeth which he alternately
cheIed and smoked he talked earnestly IA low tone
with Mr. BLACKBURN. Clarkson NJ Potter, chairman of
the comm ee was the next arrival The three men en-
gagged In conversation With each other and with other
persons the room; and them after considerable decay
Mr. Potter took his place at the head OF the table and
the proceedings Of the day were begun.
II.
Mr. Hiseock. OF the committee. would not arrive until
evening and be deemed IL improper to on witbold
the AS Mr.. Roberts to be examined, and be be-
eyed Mr. soock desired to be present when lis test'
muny was taken MT Roberts Is Editor,of The heu-
Orleans Times is said TO be the author OF the Column
bus interview with President Hayes.
General Butler remarked the chairman that he uii-
dersood that stanley Matthews 10 have been pres
ept Mr. Potter said that he had been served with
summons on Saturday, IN this city, but be understood
that Mr. Matthews had some other engagement, which
would prevent his coming aud from the manner OF his
reply he inferred he did not intend TO appear before
the committee General Butler replied that quite
oertan that commltlee ~ session o. wneh
Mr. Matthews was q member. " M Matthew's ne coz
,ed sands ike an OF cr citizen the United States
ooen 40 the sabp0na OF tins committee, aud n lac does
not intend 10 obey the call 81 the suD-eOhnlttee % lhc
UOsc the sooner the issue IL made and determined the
hct1cr Tor MOTH House snd the Seuate, that tue
powers OF both me determined tue House mas not
he mower 10 eOmpe the attendance OF witnesses then
tiy voluntarily but their testimony n looked upon with
spelon simply BECAUSE they are volunteers IT'S m
voluntary witnesses that arc wanted.'
lie General Buder ola not place much reliance on
what me Iesspapers twith giance az the re-
porters tablet but they were 10 be believed Mr. Nat
IheWs had had no hesitation Ia tesIlyng very ihly De
nvesgaOn he could not therefore ia back, as some
ified senntoSs' might. ON question al
befoTe fhe COMMITTEE here he would have to estfy
under oath aud be subject the pains aud penalties OF
perjury he cells Jast as Duoh AZ ne Iteses 70 news
PAPER repOrers want HIM ~ tell here wat he com
init ee pease therefore move that II DO entered on
me record tDat Mr. Matthews refused 10 appear IN obe
gieuce sahpmna and that his eOudurt DO reported 10
the House tor suCh action as n may see M 20 lake
SIR Blackburn SAID that short tim; ago DIR. Mat
thew. told MIA that be had Important caseon hand
n witch he was associated Will Governor Hendricks, OF
Indiana; thar case WAS 10 come Oh at NeWpon about
tins lime.
General Butler asksd Mr.. Pottrr whether Mr.. Mst
thews had siaply peadCd u business eng goBent 40
reason IOT appearing at TINS uue or lad slgnued
an inteatioh o. not appearing az any tine. II the
0reT wound he the last person To censure him, az he
himself was often epable IN the same way, pleading
professional engagements On excuse Tor negJeeung
public aud private business,
Sir. Potter said that he had caused summons 20 be
sent to Dir. Matthews ~ Cincinnati but thRt learning
thst be Was ths City on saturday be deemed II
ulm hefe Dir Potter callsl the CLERK Of the commit
Tee 10 stale what reply Mr. Matthew'S had made. The
clerk sd that br. Matthew's uad said that be had
mpo tant professional engagement winch YOU'D pre-
veiN ms appearing Monday aud that this being the
case, IL 60 what ho would have done
under other circumstance.
General Butter said tAat h0 also bad engagements OF
greRt importance. bal ne had sal them ABIDE 10 order
that lac GIT atteud the session of Tia e0mmitter.
Tue chairman suggested tlat NO acuOn be taken ON
rnera Batter mOtlun IA tno absence OF ar. Hlseock
ad that The committee adj Vufn lie DDen sersDn Tor tue
day This aprsed 20 " The OtSeF nepbers anu the
eOimi.ee Bent intO executive sesson ~ VIA meet al
IL "a. M. today.
LA We besa suuoued 10 the committee. aud were pres
cut Dir. RODers viii De the nrst wltneAs
examined tO-iuy.