The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-05-22


N. Potter, on the subject Of the Potter
resolution:
MAY 20, 1878.
To Hon. Clarkson N. Potter, Chairman,
etc: Sir-I observe that the resolution
Of the House under which your Committee
is organized singles me out personally BY
name from among twenty or more gen.
tlemen who were present, At the request
Of General GRAM, and the Chairman Of the
Democratic National Committee, TO At
tend and witness the action OF the Return.
ing Board upon the Presidential election
returns in the State OF Louisiana in 1876,
and, in substance, charges @that at the
election in East Feliciana parish, and in
part In West FeliciAna parish, In Louisi>
ana, the Republican vote was withheld
and not cast, and in pursuance
and execution Of . conspiracy by such
voters; that in furtherance OF such con-
spiracy james E. Anderson, Supervisor
OF Registration Of East Feliciana, and D.
A. Weber, Supervisor Of Registration Of
West Felicianna Parish, falsely protest.
ed that the election in such parishes had
not been free and fair, and that there
upon the Returning Board oil said State
falsely and fraudulently 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 that State was an
nulled and reversed, and that such action
by said Weber and Anderson was induced
or encouraged by the assurances Of the
Hon. John Sherman, now Secretary Of
the Treasury"
This resolution requires you 10 inyes.
tigate these allegations, and upon the
truth Of these depends the accusation
against me, viz:
First, That there was conspiracy
among the voters TO withhold and not
cast their votes, with 8 view 10 make q |
false charge as TO the election.
Second, That In point Of fact there was
a free and fair election in East and West
Feliciana, which was falsely protested and
returned by said Anderson and Weber,
by which the votes Of those parishes
were falsely and fraudulently excluded |
BY the Returning Board. i
Third, That the action Of Anderson and
Weber was encouraged by assurances
from me.
With view, therefore, TO meet this &C.
,usation, which 60 far "a 1t affects me
leclare and know 10 be absolutely desti-
tate Of even the shadow Of truth, I re-
,pectiully ask and now make formal
application for leave to be represented
before your committee by counsel in the
Of all charges affecting my.
self personally. l tender and offer 10
prove in point Of fact that the election in
East and West Feliciana parishes was
governed and controlled by force,
violence and intimidation go revolving as
10 invite the utmost indignation Of all
Who became conversant with it, and
proof TO that effect was submitted not
only before the Returning Board in evil
lence, in Ex. Doc, No. 2, second session
18th Congress, but also In the testimony
.aken BY the Committee Of the Senate on
Privileges and Elections, report No. 701, |
,econd session 44th Congress. ! will, II
allowed, furnish the names Of the wit.
lesses whom desire 10 examine before
vou to prove the truth Of this statement
Is to said parishes, and that the
parties referred TO were true, supported
~ testimony and properly acted upon
md sustained by the Returning Board.
To my personal conduct during this
invite your iair and can.
lid scrutiny with the entire confidence
hat not only myself but my associates Of
10Th political parties acted honestly and
from q sense Of public duty. II
ave requested Hon. Samuel shellabarger
o deliver this to you and l respectfully
designate him as the gentleman I would
lesire on my part 10 be present 10 cross
xamine the witnesses, tes,ifying in rela-
ion to the charges against me, and who
sill, as my counsel, tender evidence in
roof Of this statement. The favor Of an
arly reply Is reqested.
Very Respectfully,
JOHN SHERMAN.