The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-08-01
did he ever hear that afidavits were signed

with names of fictitious persons. r,s "a
He did not know of Sherman having
conv ersation with Weber and Anderson.
He had no consciousness of having ever
seen Weber ''--'- LIS = q
The action of the Returning Board was
not communicated to witness in any way.
He was, however, of the opinion, and fire.
quently said so, that fraud had been perpe-z
tratee on both sides, but that if just returns
were made they would give the Electoral
vote to Hayes. His attention was called to
Weber's testimony, in which it was said
that the Returning Board was Influenced by
the visiting statesmen to reopen the returns.
Witness said this was unqualifediy false in
whole or in part. Nothing was done for
which any such assertion could have been
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 Rose Richmond and
another old negro witness, and fully be-
lieved all their statements. There was
| violence of the most desperate character.
If Eliza Pinkston's story is not true, then
| the stage has lost brilliant ornament.
Cortland F. Parker, of New Jersey, testi-
fed that he visited New Orleans solely at
the request of President Grant. He did not,
| while in Louisiana, hear doubts thrown on
the protest made by Anderson as to East
Feliciana or that it was interlined, or that
AhuOioOh WIShCO w WIIuuIdW IL.
| The witness confirmed generally the testi-
mony of Kelley.
| Representative Hale being examined,
among other things characterized as false
| the testimony of Weber about the visiting
Republicans influencing the action of the
Re urning Board. In reply to question by
/ Butler, Hale said: al thought that if Hayes
was elected President, Packard was elected
Governor. [ thought both were elected"
j. Hale Sypher testified to having seen,
in the hands of Weber, and having read him.
| self, in New Orleans, the letter purporting
| to be written by Sherman. He could not
| swear, however, that it was written by
| Sherman.
| Secretary Sherman testified he was invited
| to go to New Orleans by President Grant by
| telegram in terms something like the fol-
| lowing: "I would be gratifed if you would
go to New Orleans to witness the count"
At first he declined to go, but second tele-
| saying: "I think it imp .rtant for yeu to
CO." but he did not go till the Wednesday
| after. On his way to Cincinnati he stopped
at Columbus, where he saw Governor
Hayes.
In reply to interrogatories by Hiscock he
said that his conversation with Governor
Hayes was general about the election, all
then being in the dark.
| Further examination was postponed.
At New Orleans, on the oath, it is thought
! the Committee made point. The
| Committee has shown that nearly, if not all
| the affidavits of intimidation and violence
which were made at the Custom-house for
use before the Returning Board were fraud
ulent. The Committee has been trying to
show that Sherman and other visiting states
men knew of these affidavits at the time
they were made.
To-day Thomas s. Nolan testified that he
saw in the room where the affidavits were
l ,k,, ~~l II~11 i
Stoughton. He said also that he thought
| they overlooked the business, and took
copies of the affidavits.
The Potter Committee, at Atlantic City,
on July %, continued the examination of
Secretary Sherman, and got thereby a sue
cinct history of the invitation by Grant. to
| the visiting statesmen to go to New Orleans
to witness the count, and of their doings
while there, together with showing of the
need of their going, and a defense of what
they did. In this the Secretary denied
positively that Weber and Anderson wrote
wrote them the alleged reply, promising in
behalf of Hayes to take care of them. He
also denies as positively the conversation
alleged by Anderson as having taken place
in the st. Charles Restaurant, between
Weber, Anderson and Sherman.
He also produced copy of letter he
wrote Hayes from New York, describing
the situation of the vote, and Mr.. Hayes
answer. In answering General Buffers
questions about Offices given to reward
services in the count, Secretary Sherman
said he would not hesitate to appoint mar
because he did his duty. The former ex
animation of the Secretary with regard te
the appointments of those in Louisiana who
did their duty in the returns, is postponed
till the committee reaches Washington.
General Garfield was also examined. He
also went at the call of Grant. He fatty
contradicted the testimony of Z. L. Weber
with regard to the course of the visiting
statesmen. ft f
General Butler entered upon course o.
examination to take General Garfeld'l
, opinion that by a fair vote or lawful coun
, Packard and HAYES were both elected, ant
therefore Nichols is usurper. To thi
Potter objected. and he and Butler had
! disputation, in which Hiscock also tool
+ part, and these parties got quite anima: et
; over the dispute.
, The witness examined before the New
, Orleans Committee, on July 25, we're E. A
,, Burke, and Congressman Ellis. Burke pro
duced voluminous papers and kilograms
6 showing his labors for Nichols, but nothin
. of Importance was divulged. Hon. John Z
= Ellis testified regarding the Wormley con
!. ference, and stated emphatically that ther
+ was no bargain that the ceasing to filibus
ter was lot insisted upon by the Republi
= cans who were at conference. Wattersol
/, always steadily opposed filibustering. Their
3 was not the semblsnce of bargain at tn
j, conference. The object of the Republican
8 seemed to be to remove the anxiety in n
o gard to the couse Hayes would pursu
q toward South Carolina and Louisian,
q Witness at some length referred to numel
+. Gus interviews with Grant, who promised t
a issue an order for the withdrawal of troops 8
N soon as the Electoral count was completed
:. When asked whether the payment of take
| tn 40 Nipho11c xunuId ho
y strued into a violation of status quo il
Y augurated by Grant, the latter perpetrate
ii the only joke witness ever heard from hin
d by Glazing the story of the. Irishman VIII
,e had joined a temperance society, but di
10 not object to drop being put in his soc
e water unbeknownst to him.
sf General Sypher and ex-Congressms
40 Morey testified before the Committee
~. Atlantic City on July 26. Nothing very il
in portant was elected. Mr.. Morey said tn
m on the face of the returns Nichols al
"a "a Tilden Electors had amajority; that ii
aJ Returning Board threw out enough votes
elect Packard, and after that threw o
one thousand five hundred and twelve vot
~ to elect the Hayes Electors. This conc
% ton of things was discussed by promine
ed politicians, the visiting statesmen, and t
bs Republican Council; it was discussed
nd party leaders on both sides. We tried
al make under the law, case for Packard, a
if presented protest against everything lilies
mt or irregular. made some figuring as to WI
results would be produced if certain pari
eft returns were thrown out. / think it pre-
ce able the figures were not mentioned to
m. visiting statesman, but l naturally suppos
re the matter would be brought to their attt
ire ton. l understood the result of the calf
,ss iation was sent to Florida, and so as to col
itb to the knowledge of the officials.
he Witness, in answer to a question by B
IN Ter, said the result in the State showed Il
nd both Packard and Hayes were elected unt
ev the laws. Witness then testified at lens
nd regarding the Packard Governmental and
nd McVeagh Commission. He said amo
nm other thing that after Packard was inauI
,at rated he could not be removed from of
vas unless by impeachment, and no attempt '
mt made to do this.
At Atlanta City, on July 81, before
ce, Investigating Committee, Ex-Congressn
eu- Morey gave it as his impression that if