Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-06-13
WASHINGTON
THE POTTER COMMITTEE.

Washington, June 13.-The Potter in
vcstieating committee held brief secret
session to-day, Immediately before the rcgu-
lar meeting.
Gen. Smith, late appointment clerk ofthe
treasury department was recalled, and testi-
fed this morning that he. WAS to the secrc-
tary's Office at the executive mansion, and
looked over the record Of the letter., and
found that there had been letter referred
to the treasury department. March 10th
1877 (which hadbeen written to the president
by personal friend. recommending the ap.
pointment of Jas. E. Anderson. Witness
had but one interview with the president in
regard to Anderson's appointment He pre-
duced telegram from Stanley Matthews,
bearing the date of January 30tb, addressed
to himself, taken from the fles of the treas
ury depaltm which he thought was a
reply to q telegram sen: by Secretary Sher-
man. The telegram reads as follows: -
The. letter referred to has been received.
No answer needed. -. - - :, = -A
Witness had written MATHEW and
showed hix one of Anderson's letters, but
did not remember the contents Of it.
Witness said, answering Mr.. Butler, he
believed he sent the letter written by An.
aerson declining the inspectorship of Gus.
toms to Matthews. the day of its receipt,
June 20. Witness had no very friendly re.
lations with Anderson :, had appointed his
brother to the Baltimore custom house, and
advised him some times.
Mr.. Butler asked if witness did not consi.
der 1t very unfortunate that the letter of
Mr.. Matthews to the president. recon-
mcnding the appointment of Anderson, was
not on file. Fg
Smith-No SIR l do not
Mr.. Butler asked Smith If he was in
consul:ationswith Judge shellabarger, Shel
mans counsel, last night:
Q.-Do you'll ,know' Judge Wilsori. A
1 don't know whetherI do Or not. 4.
After further discussion Mcmahon adyo
eating tho competence 81 Gen. Butler'e
question, Butler suited his reasons .fot th,
questlol was to show that Smith wasan IN
willing witness, and was in connection
with the other side. E
Gen, Smith stated that Nj. Butlersin III
statement claimed that he WAS Of the opin
ion from the beginning of the examination
that he, Smith, waI an unwilling witness
clsimineas hia REASONS therefor the fact .
the receipt Of personal letter from Andsrso,
by Smith, which led him, Butler, to believ
that Smith would not testify to anything
unfavorable to Anderson, and as Butler dit
not know Of the character Of the lstters. 0
question, until within the last. nse min
utes, he could not have considered him q
unwilling witness from the commencement
Of his, testimony and further Smith askc
the protection of the committee.
Smith further said that. Butler. had scaus
ed certain statenents to 20 into the Rccort
which he, Smith. had not intended to nttel
The investigation WAS resumed. and IL
witness stated 10 reply TO Buffers question
thst ho had not I en- In consultation las
night with either Judge Shellabarger, 9
Wilson. q
THE MATTHEW'S cornrfrrE,s
| Washington. June 513.-The Matthew
eomnittsss net to-days ,Aessn. Matthew
and Anderson were .pre sent and Mr.. All
'on prsadin9. AT thstrequtssof the Potte
committee, Anderson was allowed leav
TO aAsnd the Potter con,niltse, 70 hear u
evidence o( Mn Jsncke 10 .dav. and th
committee toek ssoce.