Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-05-22
He Also Takes Occasion to Give his Opin-
ion Concerning the Louisiana Count
A Skirmish with Tennessee
MOOnshiners" Other
Matters.

the reopening of the question OF the PTesl-
dents title, and regretting that any action
should have been taken by them calculated
to add to the present financial dist ess by re-
polling returning public and private conf
dence. One of the recipients of such letters,
who was elected to congress by less than
twelve ,.aoJ0Iity, was ICudrIva uncomfortable
by the declaration that several hundred per-
sons who heretofore voted for him would
withhold their suffrages at the next election.
MINOR NOTES.
At the cabinet meeting, to-day, Secretary
Sherman submitted financial statement
showing deficiency in the fiscal year, thus
far, of eleven million dollars les than in the
corresponding time last year; also showing a
decrease of eight million dollars in expend-
itures.
Brevet Major-General Edward Hatch, Will
liam Stickney, of Washington, and n. G..
M'Farland, of Topeka, Kansas, have been
appointed commissioners to treat with the
Ute Indians. Efforts will be made to consol-
idate the southern and northern Utes on the
reservation of the latter, on or near White
river.
THE ELECTION FRAUD INVESTIGATION.
Representative Potter has been in consul
tation with several members of the Florida
and Louisiana investigation committee. He
says he cannot yet tell when the committee
will organize for business, but will perhaps
do so tomorrow.
SHERMAN HAS BEGUN HIS TESTIMONY BE-
FORE THE COMMITTEE Is ORGANIZED.
The following is the letter of Secretary
Sherman to Representative Clarkson n. Pot
ter on the subject of the Potter resolutions:
WASHINGTON, May 20, 1873.
Hon. Clarkson N Potter Chairman, Etc:
SIR observe that the resolution of the
house, under which your committee Is organ
lied, singles me out personally by name from
among twenty or more gentlemen who were
present, at the request of General Grant or
the chairman of the Democratic National
committee, to attend and witness the action
of the returning board upon the Presidential
election returns in the State of louisiana, in
1876. In substance charges that at the cleo
ton In East Feliclanla parish, and In part, In
West Feliciania parish, in Louisiana, the Re-
publican vote was withheld and not cast in
pursuance and execution OF a conspiracy by
such voters; and that in the furtherance oil
such conspiracy James E. Anderson, super
visor of registration in East Feliclania, and
D. Weber, supervisor of registration in West
Feliciania, falsely protested that the said
election in such parishes had not been free
and fair; and that, thereupop, the returning
board of said State falsely and fraudulently
excluded the voters of the said precincts,
and by means thereof, and other false and
fraudulent action of the said returning
board, the choice of the people of the State
was annulled and reversed; and that such &C.
ton by the said Weber and Anderson was
induced or encouraged by assurances OF
Hon. John Sherman, now the secretary OF
the treasury. This resolution requires you to
investigate three allegations, and upon the
truth or these depends Tie accusation against
me, namely: First-That there was CON:
spiracy among the voters to withhold
and not cast votes, with a view to make a
false charge as to the election. Second-That
in point of fact there was a free and fair cleo.
ton in East and West Feliciana, which was
falsely protested and returned by said An.
derson and Weber, by which the votes Of
those parishes were falsely and fraudulently
excluded by the returning board. Third
That the offense of Anderson and Weber was
encouraged by assurances from me. With a
view, therefore, to meet this accusation,
which, so far as it affects me, | declare and
know to be absolutely destitute of even a
shadow of truth, respectfully ash, and now
make formal application, for leave to be
represented before your committee by coun-
sci in the investigation of all the charges
affecting myself personally. | tender and
offer to prove that in point of fact the cleo
ton in East and West Feliciana parishes
violence, and intimidation so revolving as to
excite a common Indignation In all who be-
came conversant with it, and proof was SUBJ
mitted to that effect, not only before the re-
turning board, in the evidence contained In
executive document No. 2, second session,
forty-fourth congress, but also in the
testimony taken by the committee Of
elections, report 7O1, second session of the
forty-fourth congress. l will, if allowed, fur
nish the names of the witnesses whom de-
sire to examine before you to prove the truth
of this statement as to said parishes, and thai
the protests referred to were true, supported
by testimony and properly acted upon and
sustained by the returning board. AS to my
personal conduct during this examination,
invite your fair and candid scrutiny, with
entire confidence that not only myself, but
my associates of both political parties, acted
honestly and properly from a sense of public
duty. have requested Hon. Samuel Shella
barger to deliver this to you, and respect.
fully designate him as the gentleman IwoulC
desire, on my part, to be present to cross-ex
anime the witness test!fying In relation TO the
charges against me, and who will, as NY
counsel, tender evidence III proof of this state
ment. The favor of an early reply is requested
Very respectfully, JOHN SHERMAN.
DOWN AMONG THE COMMITTEES.
The action of the senate finance committee
this morning in authorizing favorable re.
port upon the house bill to forbid the further
retirement of United States legal tender notes
was taken without formal vote, in view o.
the expectation entertained by several mem
bers of the committee that the passage of the
bill may have the result of putting stop Il
legislation for any further amendment of the
specie resumption act.
The house committee on patents to-day
agreed to report favorably upon Representa-
tive Vance's bill for general revision of thu
patent laws.
The senate committee on privileges anC
elections decided to take up the claim of DIR
Corbin to the seat in the senate now occupied
by NJ. G. Butler, of South Carolina, at a spe
cial meeting next Saturday.
The full senate committee on appropria
lions to-day commenced the consideration O
the legislative, executive and judicial appro
priatlon bill. From present indications the,
will recommend non concurrence by the sen
ate in most of the reductions made by tn
house in the clerical force in the various ex
ecutive departments, and, in reporting tn
bill, will restore the salaries generally to tn
amounts now paid.
| sKIRdIsHING WITH MIDDLE TENNESSEE
INCONSISTENCIES"
Collector Woodcock telegraphs to tn
commissioner of internal revenue from Nash
vile that Special Deputy-Collector Davis
with one companion, attempted to seize a
| illicit distillery, on Saturday, in Grund
| county. They were attacked by seven men
| Davis killed one, wounded one, and capture
one of his assailants, but had to leave tn
distillery without completing Its destruction
sTILsoN HUTcHINs's LAWSUIT.
| Stilson Hutchins, now connected with tn
| Washington Post, referring to the SUI
| brought against the st. Louis Times compa
ny and himself by one Of the stockholders fc
his share of the alleged profits, states tina
the Times, during the period mentioned, 10;
instead of made money, all OF which loss b
bore, and that during the whole of said tim
the said plaintiff was treasurer of the comps
ny. He expresses himself perfectly willin