Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-06-01
THE POTTER INVESTIGATION BEGUN.
John E. Anderson as q Witness.

else to do buJ attend every investigation at
which an upheaval of scandal is expected,
were kept out, only legitimate newspaper men
being admitted, upon the presentation of their
cards, recently issued, which admit them to
the lobby in the House in the rear of the
Speakers stand. The accommodations for the
press were very scant, however, single table,
and a small one at that. being furnished them.
This was placed outside OF a pine rail, which
separated the committee from the space allOt-
rae ths to the eT e
brought one of his own, and will depend on
his notes for his ANALYSIS of the testimony.
Chairman Potter announced the Florida sub
committee to be HuntOn, Springer and His
cock.
THE MUCH TALKED OF WITNESS, ANDERSON
At 1920 O'Clock James E. Anderson, the
much heraded witness, was brought into the
committee room. He is a red-haired bOyiSh-
looking man. He was neatly dressed, ,demeaned
himself with proper compOsure, and created
rather favorable impression.
Anderson was sworn, and was examined by
Mr.. MacMahon. He testified that his present
residence was Philadelphia, and that he was
newspaper man during the Presidential elec-
ton he was supervisor of elections for the East
Feliciana parish, of louisiana: was present
in that parish during the election; the demo-
the Presidential ticket outside of the state
ticket. The witness then detailed the duty of
supervisors and the manner in which election
returns are made up. The number of votes
are made up in one consolidated return from
the returns of the precincts in the parish. The
East Fellciana parish return was thus made
up, and mailed to the returning board at New
Orleans from Baton Rouge.
Chairman Potter at this point said that Re
had just received a letter from Secretary Sher-
man stating that his duties would not permit
INN 10 attend; and requesting to be represent
ed by MIR. Shellabarger.
Witness resuming, said There were no pro-
tests made to the return mailed by me from
East Feliciana Point; went to New Orleans
Il hal
P1tkln: he asked me if there were any pro-
tests: l said no. He asked me why did not
protest. | said because more intimidation
had been done by republicans than democrats.
Later In the day he met me and told me if l
could, he wished would make some protest.,
because the Presidential election would hinge
protest which he asked me to sign, and which
refused. Other protests already prepared,
were brought me to sign. did sign one to the
ehect That did not protest in the parish, be-
cause was afraid of my life; another protest
was signed by Thomas A. Jencks, who was a
depHty U. S. marshal.
q. Have you seen the protest on what is
termed the Sherman report?
A. l have.
Q. Is that the protest signed by you?
A. No, sir. 1t is altered, and in one or two
cases filled up.
THE SHERMAN REPORT OF THE PROTEST
was then placed in evidence. After being read
witness went oyer the protest and pointed out
made the statement set forth in the Sherman
report that I left East Feliciana Parish be
cause | was afraid of my, life. In the state
ment made, the words democrat and ire
publican" did not appear in the whole thing.
did state that there had been some intimida-
u0n In the parish, but that the whole number
would not aggregate over two hundred. The
Sherman statement makes me say thete were
twenty-five hundred intimidated. When l
arst went ito to New Orleans in september, Gov
Felieiana Parish would go. 1 said, think it
will give about loo majority. He said that
won't do: If East Feliciana goes democratic l
don't see where Packard's majority is coming
from. Kellogg told NE to go back to the par
ish, rally the co.Ored votes at one or two Fol s
let the democrats have the rest get up row
and then file protests.
Witness said he went back to the parish.
looked over the ground, and thought that he
would not do what Kellogg wanted. He con
tinued: | turned over the books of registr;.
tl0n. resigned and went to New Dreams. /
told Kellogg was disguSted with the wno,e
matter and would wash my lands OF il. l
stayed some time away from the pa Sh, and
rumOred was coward ard was afraid to go
back. did say would go back, but when
was ready there seemed to be no disposition
among the republicans to have me 60 back
because it was the plan to hold no election in
i've OF the parishes, so as to throw out the
votes. votes 70 Witness VT testified that he finally went
The question was then asked witness if he
ever sWOre to any protest from East Feeciana
parish. His reply was that he had signed one,
u.
supervisor of West Feician parish. After
the election Webber asked me what had done
ito'd ntest weber VT that had signed but not sworn
Webber said If it become necessary to save
the electoral vote of the state he would make
sweeping protests. Subsequently, however.
we made joint protest. against the throwing
election on both East and West Fileciana
parishes was one OF the most orderly ever held
in the state.
Mr.. Reed objected to the Introduction of the
afhdaylt because it was only copy
Witness SS:-Stanley Matthews has the orig
raj, and IN exhibited M it to ex;Goy. PACKARD not
to me while the visiting statesmen were IN
New Orleans, and said
SHERMAN WANTED TO SEE ME.
We called at the st. Charles hotel, but failed
along Canal street, in front Of Molair's restau,
rant, when Weber said, There's Sherman,
now" said well may as well see him here
into the restaurant. Webbef went up to SheI
man and said, This is Mr.. Anderson"
SHERMAN SAID
this is the time and the hour that We want
man ma then spoke of protests; Webber said if he
live at his house. Sherman said, "You can be
man, The sentiment of the country may be
all light, but do not wish to be open to suit
1Or perjury, because they are going to throw
Cut my pdllSu On IOrSeO protest. sherman
said we wont discuss that matter now, that is
a matter for the state authorities, but if you
stand hrm and let the matter rest where it is.
you Will not be sorry for it.
LETTER TO SHERMAN,
witness Identified letter he wrote Webber
the day after he had the interview with Sher-
man, In which he said: Il have no more faith
In Sherman. Stanley Matthews and his counsel
than have in Pitt Kellogg. We must have
some written guarantee that we will be taken
care OF. We had better see Sherman again."
witness testified that SubSequently Webber
saw sherman and got letter from him.
IWltneSS was shown Photographic COPIES of
two letters. The first he identified as a letter
Weber and himself sent to Sherman. and
ShermanS reply.]
Weber and Anderson's joint letter to Sec.
retary Sherman was read. 1t is dated NOvem-
Der 2, 1876, and says: I'VE have carefully
considered the arguments used by you, which.
II we comply with, we will have to leave the
state. Will you tell us in writing who we shall
look to Tor the fulfilment of your promises
SHERMAN'S REPLY.
witness identified the Photographic cOpy OF
ShermanS reply. He said that in February
last he saw Webber in the New Orleans ems
tom house, and asked him il ne had Sherman',
letter safe. He said he had, and put his hard
In his coat pocket and drew out the envelope
containing it.
Mr.. HiscOck objected to the nature of the
testimony, and said it would not be received
In any grand jury room in the country.
A running discussion was then indulged i'm
as TO the admisslbiiity OF a copy of Shernlan's
N WQhhQr nd A m