Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-05-24
Secretary sherman On the Potter In
NeHfiguttom.

TIL, lollowin. j., the l,ttcr Of Hon. John
sherman. Secretary of the Treasury, on the
subject Of She Potter investigaton:-
WASHINGTON, May 20. 1878.
him. fbJrksoH v. Potfr. Chairman:
Sir I observe that the resolution Of the
House under which your committee is organ
lied, singles me ont personally by name from
among twenty or more gentlemen who were
present, at the request of President Grant or
the chairman Of the democratic national COM
mittee 20 attend and witness the action of
the returning board upon the presidential
election returns in the state Of Louisiana in
1876. and, in substance. charges that at that
election in East Fecana parish and in part
in West Feliciaun parish in Louisiana the Re
publican vote was withheld and not cast, in
pursuance and execution Of conspiracy by
such voters that in frrthtrncc of such con
spimcy James f. Anderson. supervisor Of
registration in East Feliciana. and ID. A. Web
er. supervisor OF registration in West Felicia
ma. falsely protested That said election in such
parishes had not been free and fair. and that
tIertupcn the returning board of said state
falsely and fInudently excluded the votes of
said precincts, and by means thereof aud of
other false and fraudulent action of said re-
turning board the choice of the people Of the
state was annuled and reversed: and that
y
induced or encouraged 10y the assurances Of
Hon. John sherman, now secretary of the
treasury. This resolution requires YOU to in
Yestigate three allegations, and upon the truth
of these depends the accusation against me
viz First that there WIS a conspiracy among
the voters 10 withhold and not cast their
votes with a view TO making false charge
as TO the election second. That. in point Of
fact, there was a free and fair election in East
and West Feliciana, which was falsely protest
ed and returned 10y said Anderson and Weber.
10y which the votes of those parishes were
falsely and fraudulently excluded by the re-
turning board third. that the offence Of An
derson and Weber was encouraged by assur-
auces from me.
Will a view. therefore, 30 lnuct this ACCUSE
ton. which, so far as it affects me. / declare
aud know to be absolutely destitute of even a
shadow Of truth, I respectfully ask and now
make formal application for leave to be rep
resented before your committee 10y counsel in
the investigation Of all charges affecting my
self personally. ! tender and offer to prove
that in point Of fact the election in East and
West Feliciana parishes WAS governed and
controlled by force, violence and intimidation.
so revolving as to excite the common indigna-
ton Of all who became couversant with IT,
and that proof was submitted to that effect
not only before the returning board in the
evidence contained in executive document
No, ,. second session, 44th Congress, but al
so in testimony taken 10y the committee Of the
Senate on privileges and elections report No
7pl, second session. '4ith Congress. ! will. il
allowed. furnish the names Of witnesses whom
| desire TO examine before you TO prove the
truth Of this statement as TO said parishes and
that the protests referred TO were true sup
ported ~ testimony and properly acted upon
and sustained 10y the returning board
To my personal conduct during this exani-
nation invite your fair and candid scrutiny.
with entire confidence that not only myself
but my associates of both political parties
acted hon silly and properly from sense of
public duty. have requested Hon. Samuel
Slela'nIg t. deliver this 20 you. and l re-
spcctfu.r designate him as tho gentleman |
would desire ON my part TO be present to
oss-eNaminc witnesses testifyiug in relation
TO charg. against ilc, and who viii as my
counsel tender evidence in proof of this state
meut.
TIL favor Of an carly answer is requested
Very respectfully, ions SHERMAN.