The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-05-30
The Potter Investigation.
SECRETARY SHEnMAN's LETTER.

Secretary Sherman has written letter to
the Investigating Committee, which was
presented to Mr.. Potter, by his attorney,
Judge shellabarger on Tuesday. The fol-
lowing Is the text of the letter
WASHINGTON, May Goth, 1878.
Hon. GARRISON N. Potter, ChGirnssa, &c.
SIR: | observe that the resolution OF
the House under which your committee is
organized singles me out personally by
name from among twenty or more gentle
rsen who were present at the request OF
President Grant or the Chairman OF the
Democratic National Committee to attend
and witness the action OF the returning
Board upon the President ial election re-
turns In the State of Louisiana in 1876, and,
in substance, charge that at thai election
in East FeliciaLa Parish, and, in part. in
West Feliciana Parish. in Louisiana, the
Republican vote was withheld, and not cast
in pursuance and execution of a conspiracy
by such voters that in furtherance OF such
conspiracy, Jas. E. Anderson. Supervisor OF
Registration in East Feliciana, and ID. A.
Weber, Supervisor of Registration in West
Feliciana. falsely protested that said cleo
ton in such parishes had not been free and
fair, and that therenpon the Returning
Board of said State, falsely and fraudulently
excuied the votes Of SAID precincts. and by
means thereof and Of other false and fraud
ulent action OF sail. Returning Board the
choice of the people of the State was an
nul,ed and reversed, and that such action
by the said Weber and Anderson was in
duced or encouraged by the assurance OF
Hon. John Sherman, now Secretary OF the
investi gate three allegations, and upon the
| truth of these depends the accusation against
me, viz.
| First-That there was conspiracy
| among the voters to withhold and not cast
the votes, with a view to make a false charge
as to the election.
| Second-That in point Of fact there was
free and fair election in East aud West
Feliciana, which was falsely protested and
returned by said Anderson and Weber, by
which the votes of those parishes were
falsely and fraudulently excluded by the
Returning Board.
Third-That the offence of Anderson and
Webster was encouraged by assurances
/ from me.
With the view, therefore, to meet this ac-
cusation, which. so far as it affects me, l
| declare and know to be absolutely destitute
| of even the shadow of truth, respectfully
ask and now make formal application for
leave to be represented before your commit
tee by counsel, IN the investigation of all
charges affecting myself personally. ten
der and offer to prove, that in point of fact
the election in East and Felicana Parishes
was governed and controlled by force. vio-
lence, and intimidation 80 revolving as to
excite the common indignation of all who
became conversant with it, and that proof
4 was submitted to that effect, not only be-
II fore the Returning Board, in evidence con-
tanned in executive document NO. 2. second
session Forty-fourth Congress, but also in
II the testimony taken by the Committee oil
the Senate on Privileges and Elections, re-
J port No. FOL, second session. Forty fourth
Congress. I will, If allowed, furnish the
II names of witnesses whom desire to exam
inc before you, to prove the truth OF this
statement as to said parishes. and that the
protests referred to were true, supported By
testimony and properly acted upon ant
sustained by the Returning Board. 10 my
personal conduct during this examination
: invite your fair and candid scrutiny, will
! entire confidence that not only myself, bu
my associates Of both political parties, acte
honestly and properly from sense OF publ
g duty. have requested Hon. Samuel Shell
abarger to deliver this to YOU, and respect
: fully designate him as the gentleman
would desire on my part to be present
cross-examine witnesses testifying in rel'
: ton to charges against me, and who will {
my counsel, tender evidence in proof OF tn
statement. The favor Of an early answe
is requested. Very respectfully,
. JOHN SHERMAN.
e Unbuckle harness before cleaning ar
v oiling it.