Stevens County tribune., 1878-07-04
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

investigating the Election of 1870
Under the Potter ResOIntiOn-James E.
Anderson ana Secretary sherman ON
the stand.
MONDAY, June "a. The Potter COM
| 5ittee resumed its investigation, Mrs. jerks
| on the witness stand. A long examination
ensued, In which lively scenes ensued. Some
| questions the witness answered, some
she refused to answer. In referring to the
so-called Sherman letter, she said, II dictated
the contents of the letter." In reply to the
question who wrote at her dictation she said:
II refuse 50 tell you" The result OF the eX-
animation was, that Sherman never saw the
letter: that 1t was gotten up to quiet Sher-
man and Weber. In the afternoon Gen. d. V.
| Boynton special Washington correspondent OF
the Cincla matt Gazette was called to the wit
| ness stand, and was examined as TO his inter
| views with thePresident touching the appoint
ment of Anderson to Office; as to whether the
| President gave as reason for such appoint
| ment, that Anderson had important secrets
that it would be damaging to make known,
and he must he controlled. The witness
denied that the President ever gave such
reasons. Some angry words passed between
the witness and Gen. Butler, and witness said
if the committee did not protect him, he
would protect himself. He denounced Butler
as rowdy. The committee went into secret
session, and shortly afterwards adjourned un-
til Tuesday.
TUESDAY, June 25-The Potter com
mittee resumed its Investigation. Mrs. jerks
and Mr. Boynton were recalled and briefly ex-
amined, when Marshal Pitkin of New Or
leans was put on the stand. His testimony
was largely in reference to the transactions of
Anderson, his protest, &c, and pointedly con-
tradicted his statement Witness had never
seen the so-calted Sherman letter Had an
interview with Judge Levisee, and was cog
infant of the offer to him of 100000, and ad-
vised him to seem to listen to the overture, to
endeavor to find out who was
G.. Haley was next called. He testified to an
interview with Mrs. jerks in Washington last
winter, and Conversed with her about the
Sherman letter. Being asked what she said
about it, Mr.. Hiscock objected as there was
no legal evidence that Sherpsn wrote the
did write the letter from evidence already
given. Gen. Butler did not think there was
the slightest inference that could be legally
or logically drawn that Sherman wrote
the so-called Sherman letter After some
further discussion the witness was excused,
and the committee adjourned till Wednesday.
WEDNESDAY, June 26.-Mrs. jerks was
was again before the Potter committee. She
said she dictated the Sherman letter to an
other party, but declined to tell who that par
ty was, but it was a person prominent in
Louisiana politics. A. G.. Haley was recalled
Had conversation with Mrs. jerks in
February last about the Sherman letter. She
said she had been offered 1900 for it. Witness
told her it was worth $1,000 to her. Judge
Hugh j. Campbell of Dakota territory, former
ly of New Orleans was examined. He testi-
fed touching Anderson's protest. Witness
had an indistinct impression that there were
rumors that Anderson was in negotiation with,
or had been tampered with by Democrats
Witness thought Packard was legally elected
Governor of Louisiana and that the same vote
that elected Packard elected the Presidential
electors that voted flor Hays. Witness did
not believe Packard could have been sus-
tanned as Govnorer without the intervention
of Federal troops He believed that but for
the mob spirit which was prevalent in Louis
lana, and which is prevalent there to-day,
Packard would now be presiding as Governor
Senator Kellogg was called, but before enter
ing on his examination the committee ad-
!ourned.
THURSDAY. June 27.- The Potter COM
mittee had eg-Marshal Pitkin of Louisiana,
before them. He believed in the legality of
, the Packard legislature, and believed the
Packard government would have sustained
itself in three weeks after recognition by the
administration without the aid of Federal
troops. The examination was continued at
length upon the acts of the McVeagh commit
tee, and Gen. Butler requested that Packard
be subpRnaed before he left the county, Roger
G. Glasscock was called to contradict some OF
, the statements of Mrs. jerks. William f.
Chandler was called to testify aoout Florida
matters, and Gov. Noyes, connection Herewith.
l.. g. Dennis testified at considerable length
in regard to the situation in Florida at the
time the Northern politicians were there.
: FRIDAY, June '2S.-The Potter COM
mittee again in session. A subcommittee in
| New Orleans. The denomination of l.. E.
, Dennis was resumed in regard to the Florida
, election returns. Gov. Noyes was put upon
the stand. He testified that he did not go to
Florida, at the request, or with the knowledge
of MIR. Hayes, and did not receive kilograms
or any communication from him. He said to
, Cowgirl and McLin that all he wanted of them
was to do their duty honestly and fairly, and
: said to them if the State of Florida had hon.
estly cast its vote for Tildeu, it was their duty
SO to declare it. He never made one of them
a promise, or heed out any inducement for
them to declare the State for Hayes. Gov
!, Noyes read several letters written to him by
: McLin, which caused much merriment in the
committee room. Gen. Lew. Wallace and
, Others were examined without particular re.
Suits The subcommittee, Stenger Reed, and
Blackburn are in New Orleans and will com.
+ mence to take testimony on Monday July 1st
q SATURDAY, June goth The Potter
p committee received telegram from Gov
, Packard stating that he was cited to appear
before the subcommittee at New Orleans
J, Mrs. jerks was again called and produced hel
: correspondence with James E. Anderson, but
e Gen. Butler being absent it was not read
. Mrs. jerks was examined at some length, and
!. |. bore herself in her characteristic manner
William E. Chandler was examined. He
t maintained that in his opinion there never was
fairer result maintained by fairer mean:
than the result of the Florida election. He
. related the early disclosure by Stanley Mat
II | thews of the purpose to displace the Packard
t government, at which witness felt both sur
e prise and indignation. He testified to various
: interviews with prominent men in regard to
displacing Packard and recognizing Nichols
Q He showed that Stanley Matthews was large
: factor in the arrangement to establish the
s Wade Hampton and Nichols governments
n Ex-Gov. Packard was examined on Saturday
:, by the subcommittee in New Orleans. Was
L not present at any of the sessions of the re-
0 turning board. Had no conversation with
J, thsm. Had no knowledge of their labors ex
cept what was published. The returning
board gave the State to Hayes and myself
was inaugurated Governor Jan Sth. In my
t opinion my title to the Governorship OF
!, | Louisiana is as good as Mr.. Hayes's title tC
. the Presidency. / consider them both good
and one is as good as the other. / received
. the declaration of my election from the same
e legislature, from which Mr.. Hayes enjoys hi;
: title. am aware am not acting as Governor
s of the State. am entitled to be. As Mr.
Hayes title rests on the vote of Louisiana,
am entitled to be Governor. The sam1 legis
lature that declared my election elected Mr.
8 ! Kellogg U. s. Senator and the u. 8. Senate
n recognizes that as lawful legislature. Gov
Packard was in the witness chair more thar
three hours. T. d. Dennis was further exam
ined by the committee at Washington, In re
gard to the Florida matter.
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