Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-07-05
POttcr's InquisitiOu not ~ success--sIhs
Testimony OF Ninister NOyeu


If it is possible for Clnrkson N. Potter to
feel that he las made fool of himself at eX-
Gov Tilden's direction to no possible purpose,
he certainly must have vivid realization Of
it by this time. After working away month
in his own way, he hos succeeded in demon
strating that the charges which he so boldly
made against Secretary Sherman and Minis
ter Noyes had no basis at all upon which to
rest, and what he meant to be nm inqusitjon
proves vindication Of the very persons
whom he thought to destroy. This was not
what Mr. Potter bargained for. and the dem
ocrnts rs party will have less confidence
than ever in the leadership Of man who
started out with such high sounding declara-
tons of what he could and would establish,
and who ends in establishing nothing 50 forci-
bly, as that his own crcdulty ran away with
him and led him to accept PARTISAN gossip MS
well sustained testimony MIR Potter will
know more in future about political investi-
cations and next time hc will be more eau
tous upon what he bases lis charges against
eminent republicans!
Minister Noyes's straightforward frank
hthS III ltn AfNAllANi UNIV AAiAlfr 'AN ''A'''A
electoral count, completely and effectively
disposes Of the charges Potter made against
him, and Potter's condition rs his charges are
swept away. is pitiablc in the extreme. Gen.
Noyes shows conclusyoly TINT he did not 60
to Florida as Gov. liayoa's representative ia
make bargains with the vote canyassers, but
that he went simply and solely to give the
l. y 81. .,f l. l.. Lon al
advice in presenting thcir case to the canvass
ing board lie did not 90 at the request of
Gov Hayes, received no communications
from him while there was not authorized TO
promise Offices to the Florida men. but. after
the vote counting had all been done. he told
McLiu. who said he had 20 excited the hostil-
ity of the democrats that he could not live in
Florida that he should be glad to tell GOV.
Hayes. if IA. was declared elected President,
that lac believed McIin had done lis duty
aud tina. lac would also recommend him for
some Office lie also told Cowgirl, another
of the board. that if he could he Of any SER
to him he would b. glad to render il, and
these promise, hr kept in recommending
both McIiu ami Cowgirl for appointments,
and it was not his fault that they did not get
them. lie also gave Capt. Dennis hearty
Recommendation Mt the treasury department
and did all that IA could do to secure the re.
ward of men who had acted, as be supposed
honestly and intcllig emily and not simply foi
the purpose OF getting offices.
Gen. Noyes distinctly and emphatically
states that he never said to any living man in
| Florida that he represented Gov. Hayes and
| his testimony shows that lac was more than
ordinarily careful and discreet in all the com
munca,ons h, had with the members Of tn,
returning board. As to the statement OF
| Capt. Dennis that Gen. NOyes did not cal
him as a witness for fear that the republican
| prospects would be damaged. Gen. Lew
Wallace's explanation is that the reason why
| Dennis was not called was that he caused it tC
| be understood that it might result in persona
| injury to himself if he was called upon to ties
tify, rs the democrats had already threatened
his life. In Il word, Gen. Noyes's testimony
completely demolshes the case which til,
| democrats started out to establish, and will
| equal completeness dashcs the hopes of Gen
| Butler that he can prove such corrupt bar
| gaining ON the part of President Hayes a.
| will give an excuse for the democratic Hous,
| of Representatives to move for his impeach
ment. If all politicians could give so cleai
and consistent an account Of their tunsac
tons as Minister Noyes is able to do, Ameri
can politics would be 10y no means so dark a
| they are painted. springfield Union.