The Portland daily press., 1878-05-22
THE CONSPIRACY.

Secretary sherman writes Letter to the
Potter Committee-The Allegations OF
the Preamble Regarding Louisiana
Pronounced False.
WASHINGTON, May 21.-The following is the
letter of Secretary Sherman to Clarkson N.
Potter on the subject of the Potter resolution:
MAY 20, 1878.
Hon. Cgarkson ". Potter, Chairman -
Sir,-I 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 President Grant or
chairman of the Democratic national commit
tee, to attend and witness the action OF the Re
turning Board upon the Presidential election
returns in the state of Louisiana IN 1876. and
10 substance charges that the election in E asst
Feliciana parish and part in West Fellciana par
ish in Louisiana, the Republican vote was
withheld and not cast in pursuance and execu-
ton of a conspiracy by such voters. That in
furtherance OF such conspiracy James Ander-
SOD, Supervisor of Registration in East Felicia
ma, and DR. A. Weber, Supervisor of Registra-
ton in West Feliciana, falsely protested that
said election in such parishes has not been free
and fair, and thereupon the returning board of
said state falsely and frapdulenty excluded the
votes OF said precincts, and by means thereof
and of other false and fraudulent action of said
returning board, the choice of the people of the
state was annulled and reversed, and that such
action by said Webber aud Anderson was in
duced or encouraged by assurances from Jno.
Sherman, now Secretary of the Treasury. This
resolution requires you to investigate three al
legations, and upon the truth of these depends
the accusations against me viz: =
First that there was conspiracy among the
voters to withdraw and not to cast the votes
election.
Second, that in point of fact there was
free and fair election in East and West
Feliciana, which was falsely protested and
rafsx nd hTo arI YHnl1au H.
which the votes of these parishes were falsely
and fraudulently excluded by the Returning
Board.
Third, that the offence of Anderson and
Weber was encouraged by assurances from me
with the view therefor to meet this accusation
which SO far as it affects me, declare and
know to be absolutely destitute of even a
shadow of truth. l respectfully ask and now
make formal application for leave to be
represented before your com mittee by counsel
in the investigation of all the charges affecting
myself personally. tender and offer to prove
that 10 point of fact the election in East and
West Felicana parishes was governed and con-
trolIed by force, violence and intimidation SO
of all who became couversanu with it, and
that proof was submitted to that effect, not
only before the Returning Board in evidence
contained in the ex-doc No. 2, second session
of the 44th Congress, but also in the testimony
taken by the committee on the Senate on
privileges and election report No. FOL,
second session of the 44th' Congress-
L will, if allowed, furnish the names of wit
nesses whom desire to examine before you to
prove the truth of this statement as to said
parishes, and that the protests referred to were
true, supported by testimony and properly
acted upon and sustained by the returning
board. To my personal conduct during this
examination l invite your fair and candid
scrutiny with the entire confidence that not
oDly myself, but my associates of both political
nartiaq acted honastlv and OrOnarlv from q
sense of public duty. have requested Hon.
a Samuel Shellabarger to deliver this to you and
respectfully designated him as the gentleman
would desire on my part to be present tC
to charges against me, and who will as my
counsel tender evidence ia proof of this state
ment.
The favor Of an early answer is requested.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) JOHN SHERMAN.
The Potter Committee.
The Potter investigating committee have MOI
time of the first meeting. Mr.. Rscock is still
absent in New York. 1t is thought best BY
some of the Democratic members to defer or
eanization until all can be brought together.
| preliminary meeting may, however, be held
tomorrow afternoon. No indications have
been given with regard to the programme Of
proceedings. Richard 7. Merrick will, it is
said, act as iunsel for the committee. Many
of the Southern and Northern Democrats are
receiving earnest letters from their constitu.
ents deprecating reopening of the President
title and regretting that any action should be
taken by them calculated to add to the present
financial distress by repellDg the returning Of
public and private confidence. One of the re-
cipients of such letters who was elected to Con.
gress by less than twelve majority, was rem
dered uncomfortable by the declaration that
| several hundred persons who heretofore voted
| for him would withhold their suffrage at the
| next election.
The Potter Resolution Regretted In New
Orleans.
New YORK, May 21.-A special from New
| Orleans to the Herald says the Potter resou
ton and the attendant opening of the Louisiana
case have created anything but pleasant feel.
ings there. What Louisiana wants is to be lei
alone, to raise her crops and attend to bust.
ness Of large number of gentlemen, mer-
chants and prominent citizens, interviewed on
the subject, nearly every one regretted that the
| subject had been opened at all, and expressed
the opinion that the Southern CopgressmeI
! could be in better employment trying to gel
something for their constituencies relative &c
| harbors, rivers and levees, instead of SQUAD
| bling for what they can only disturbing mat.
| tiers generally.
Preparing for the Investigation.
WASHINGTON, May 1.-Representative Pot
| ter returned and today is in consultation with
| several members of the investigating commit.
b6o LIZ says uo CduuUt ytb t6ll WQ0Q the COM
| mittee will organize for business, but perhaps
| tomorrow.
Alfred Morton's 9 :ory.
| NEW YORK, May A.-Alfred Morton, here
| tofore referred to in connection with the cleo
| ton frauds in Florida, says he had an inter
view.in Washington some time ago with Finley
of Ohio, Springer and other prominent Demo.
| Gratis, during which he gave them a Statement
| of what he thought could be proven of Florida
frauds He says all the gentlemen present al
| this interview seemed to take lively interest
| 10 this statement, but none save Finley anG
| Springer ever communicated with me on the
subject. At the requst of Finley and Springer
| L consented to go to Florida to prepare proof:
| with Finley and others. L prepared and sent
them as soon as possible to Finley. Twas ir
communication with him during my stay ir
| Florida. Tilden did not have anything to dc
with the Journey. Conkling had nothin to d.
with it. knew that evi6 ence of frauds was
| 0btainable. At the time of the Florida coun
| l was in the secret service of the post Office de
| partment and was assigned to duty in divis
ion composed of the states of Georgia, Alabama
and before the count had become somewha
familiar with the politics of Florida. Or
Thursday afternoon after the election + was ir
| Atlanta, my headquarters, when I was tele
| graphed that the election of Hayes depended
| entirely upon the electoral vote of Florida. NV
| superior officer then told me to 90 to Florida
and assist our Republican friends in their eff.
forts for fair count. 1 Immediately proceeded
to Florida and rendered such assistance as was
| charge of the Florida count. In brief per
formed sundry jobs as secret service agent fol
| the Republican party in securing the vote O
| that state for Hayes.