Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1878-08-01
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECrIoS.

Investigating the Election of 1876 Under
the Potter observation-disclosures r. An
dersOn ana Secretary Sherman ON the
stand
MONDAY, July 22.-The subcommittee
was in session at New Orleans, Monday, July
22d. Several colored men were examined
who madeA affidavits before the returning
board, They now deny the truth of the aft.
davits made by them, and say the affidavits
were not read to them. Upon cross-examina
ton by Gov. Cox, Green admitted the correct
ness of several important statements contained
in the affidavits,
TUESDAY, July 23.-The Potter sub
committee, consisting of Representatives
Potter, Butler, Hiscock and Springer met at
Atlantic City N. j ;, on the 23d. There were
present .Trumbull, Representatives
Danford, Kelly, and of counsel Shellabarger
and Sipher, together with large number of
guests of the hotel, of both sexes, and repre-
sentatives of the press. Representative Dam
ford was the first witness called, at the in
stance of Representative Hiscock, who con-
Quoted the direct examination. Witness
testified to long conversation with James
E. Anderson. The testimony of Danford con-
tradicted Anderson in material points. He
said that Anderson told him that during
the period of the registration he went
to New Orleans and informed the Republican
committee, including Gov. Kellogg, that his
parish was going Democratic, the colored vote
being largely on that side, and that he had
been advised by Kellogg and the Republican
committee thathe should either not return
| to the parish at all or come away and make
snch protestas would throw the parish out.
He said he had put the story IN circulation in
the hope that the Democrtic committee
would make him an offer of money, and when
| by the offer of money he had them good and
| fast, he would expose the authors and blow
them sky high. The witness did not hear
Anderson question the truth of the protest. At
| New Orleans, before the sub committee, Ex-
Gov. r. C. Wykliffc, Col. c. j. Powell and
Capt. w. w. Leake, of West Feliciana parish,
testified regarding their efforts to induce col
ored men to vote the Democratic ticket at the
last election. Each assisted in organizing
colored Democratic clubs and adore ssing
meetings of colored people. The most po-
| tent argument was in relation to public
schools. which had been badly managed by
the Republicans, the funds bling, in many
cases, misapplied. The last election was
peaceable and quiet. Dawber told Col.
4 Powell, Nov. 18th, he had rot filed
any protest and did u0t intend to
1 do so. Several other witnessed testified
touching aflidavlts and the manner of obtain
| ing them. Some difficulty in obtaining wit
nesses was developed. Gov. Cox made a
| statement.of efforts to secure the attendance,
| as Witnesses. of ID. A. Weber and j. Goudran.
Weber's brother-in-law. Mr.. Dunbar, an
/ officer of the committee was afterwards sent
to Donaldsenville with subp@nas. Mrs.
Weber replied that her children had scarlet
fever, and she could not leave them Soudran
| told Dunbar he couldn't leave his business,
| that he had no one to leave in charge, and
| furthermore, If he came, he would have to tell
the truth, and If he told all he knew he could
not afterwards live there.
WEDNESDAY,. X july 24th. Judge
WillianllC CT Whitaker and John Douglas testi-
fed regarding the signatures to the second
set Of electoral certificates. Several witnesses
testified as to the crockedness in re-
gard to afIidavits. Some testimony was
given as to the formation of bands Of regula-
tors, outside of the law. The regulators were
mostly young men. The organization led to
excuses and for that reason was disbanded
At Atlantic City, N. j., Mr.. Kelly testified
that he went to New Orleans at the request Of
President Grant, and testified as to intimida-
tons there. He said Weber's testimony there
that the returning board was influenced by
the visiting statesmen was unqualiAedly false.
The general character of the evidence showed
nit mfdation; some Of it was most abhorent.
He heard the stories Of Eliza Pinkston and
Rosy Richmond aud another old negro wit
ness. Fully believed all their statements. There