Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-06-27
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

Investixatinx tho Election of 1876 Under
the Potter R~sOlution---J asues K. An
dersOm nnd Secretary sherman on the
stand.
FRIDAY, June 21.-Thc Potter investi-
eating committee held session. Thomas A
jerks, OF New Orleans, was put upon the
stand. Republicans in the parish had told
witness they were afraid to register their
names on account of intimidation. Nc MahOn
interrupted the witness. He asked if he had
been called in Senator Sherman's interest.
Reed replied he had. \ long aud acrlmoni'
Reed complained that the majority Of the
committee ruled out testimony offered by the
minority. McMahon pronounced the charge
false and challenged proof. jerks was per-
mitted to proceed, when Mcmahon again OBJ
jcctcd, and another angry discussion followed.
intimidation He testified largely as to the
course and conduct of James E. Anderson.
Witness testified as to what he knew about
the so-called Sherman letter. He never saw
a letter written by Sherman written to any
one about the election Of 1876 The witness
was subjected to a severe cross examination,
and without concluding the committee ad-
burned ~
SATURDAY, June 22.-The Potter COM
mittee resumed Its sessions to-day. Capt
Thomas jerks was further crOss,examined
when Mrs. jerks, his wife was put upon the
stand and Ct ntted to long cross-eXamina-
tien touching the now famous so-called
sherman letter." and in regard to guarantees
demanded by J. z. Anderson. She said And
erson wanted to be taken care Of. The witness
exonerated secretary Sherman from an com.
plicity, direct or indirect, in the sO.called And
erson- Weber guaranty. She testified to let
ter being written (inferentally at least by her
self in the st. Charles hotel at New Orleans
when the visiting statesmen were present,
The letter was signed John Sherman and
addressed to Weber and Anderson. She her.
self delivered the letter to Weber. BY the
testimony of the witness the letter could
not have been in Shermans. hand writ
"E I fn.nt f0owny is nc1 perhaps the
Witness"Weil wish to state in the e' presence
of this august committee and to the country
at large. thai distinctly and entirely exoncr-
ate Mr.. Secretary Sherman from any compile
ty direct or indirect in the so-called Ander-
son-Weber guaranty. If there is criminality
i'll the document or political dishonor attach
it. No one else knows aught in regard to it.,
and do not think shall tell you anything
more. 1t is sufficient that exonerate Nh,
Secretary Sherman, and also Mr.. Anderson,
and although l may deem him (Anderson)
one of the most magnificent and sublime
scouIdrels, at least in the matter of the guar
anty he has been sincere, and award him all
due merit. He has always deemed it genuine
and this may be small ray of light admitted
mao the darkness that surrounds him. No
one knows about that document but myself,
and do not think am compelled to tell you
gentlemen, any more. Several letters were
read during her examination. among them a
letter from Anderson to her husband, guaran.
teeing thousand dollars for the production
of the so.called Sherman letter.
MONDAY, June "a. The Potter committee
resumed its investigation. Mrs. jerks on the
witness stand A long examination ensued,
in which lively scenes ensued. Some ques'
tons the witness answered, some she refused
to answer. In referring to the so-called
Sherman letter she said, II dictated the con-
tents of the letter." In reply to the question
who wrote at her dictation she said; II refuse
to tell you The result of the examination
was, that Sherman never saw the letter; that
it was gotten up to quiet Sherman and Weber
In the afternoon Gen. H. Y. Boynton special
Washington correspondent Of the Cincinnati
Guzette WAS called to the witness stand, and
was examined as to his interviews with the
President touching the appointment of An.
dersOn to office: as to whether the President
gave as reason for such appointment, that
Anderson had important secrets that it would
be damaging to make known, and he must be
controlled. The witness denied that the
President ever gave such reasons. Some an:
cry words passed between the witness and
Gen. Butler, and witness said Subcommittee
did not protect him, he would protect himself
He denounced Butlsras arOWa5 The com
mittee went into secret session, and shortly
afterwards adjourned until Tuesday.