New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-22
THE LOUISIANA PLEDGES.

MORE ABOUT THE WORNLEY CONFERENCE
CONTINUATION OF MAJOR BURKEs TESTIMONY BIZ
FORE THE POTTER COMaITTEE-THE WIN ISIS
PEsEYrs GENERAL BUFFERS ATTACK UPON HIS
VERACiTY
The session of the Potter Investigating Com
mittee yesterday was devoted entirely to zen
eral Buffers examination of Major BURKE
The testimony was mainly in reference 10 the
Wormley conference, General Butler valnly
seeking for evidence in relation to some docu-
ment containing Republican pledges in relation
to the Louisiana matter. Language rejecting
upon the witnesses 'veracity was warmly
resented by Major Burke, but the objection
able words were finally stricken from the
secord
GENERAL BUFFERS. SEARCH FOR FACTS.
MANY QUESTIONS WHICH DID NOT BRING TIL IN
FORMATION WANTED-MAJOR BURKE NsULIKD
BY GENERAL BUTLER.
General Butler spent the entire day yesterday IN
pumping dry well, and at one time got so much
sand into his machine that it absolutely refused 10
work at all. General Butler evidently believes mat
there was something done at the Wormley confer
ence which all those who participated N it, on
both sides, have cOnspired TO conceal he work.
round and round in the same circle, coming out al
~
finds he has made no progress, he begins again more
jealous than before to discover the coveted secret
No witness ever testified more willingly or more
fully than Major Burke has done during tho past
two DAYS. He has q wonderful memory, which is
refreshed by letters and other documents which ne
has preserved and he has told the whole story OF
his dealings with prominent Republicans IN Wash
ington during the progress of the Electoral count
over and over again. And yet General Butler is
not satisfied because the true account of those con-
forences and agreements if such they can be called
does not agree with his theory of them. For IN
stance, he asserts that Mr.. Hayes and his friends
sold the State of Louisiana to the Democrats
for the Presidency and says no don't blame
the Democrats for buying but he does
blame the Republicans for selling. When
Major Burke testified that the Republicans
did not have Louisiana to SELL and that tho Demo-
Gratis did not therefore, buy it, the Essex statesman
gets excited. What is to become of his theory OF
the sale of the State if there nothing to sell
Again General Butler is sure that formal copies OF
the agreement reached at the Wormley conference
were exchanged between the Republicans and Dem
ocrats. aud when one witness after another comes
upon the stand and swears that no such written
agreement ever existed the General gets angry and
insults gentleman whose word is as good, to say
the least as his own Failing to down all these
trails or finding that each one leads up tree, he
next imagines that Mr. Hayes. before the count OF
the Electoral votes was concluded, put some prom
Use about Louisiana into writing, and when the
committee adjourned he was following this ignis
fatuus with as fierce a zeal though his vain
imaginings had really substance in them.
Major Burke told the whole story of the WOrmley
conference yesterday it has before been
told. time and time again. and because
be would not swear to suit Butler rather
than to the TRUTH the latter insuted him by saying
be doubted whether or not the witness yas telling
the truth Major Burke took dignifed, manly at
itude and refused to answer further questions
until the offensive language was withdrawn. But
Ter finally agreed to have the remark stricken from
the record and the inquiry proceeded, Major Burke
having decidedly got the best of his prosecutor.
This morning Mr.. Potter will question the witness
and Mr. Hiscock viii follow After that General
Butler may be given a little more time. but it is
probable that he will be chOked off after putting
few uuestiOns.