The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-06-14
Aatthews, a personal one, which has been

lost.
AS to the appointment OF Anderson's
brother, 1t was done at the instance Of James
E. Anderson, who agreed to withdraw his
claims when 1t should be done. His brother
was appointed at the suggestion of witness
to Collector Thomas, of Baltimore who.
after inquiries, recommended him. Jas. u.
Anderson went off satisfied, having declined
q subordinate place offered him, and then
came back to propose place for his brother.
In the appointment OF his brother, Assistant
Secretary Mccormick was consulted, and APP
proved OF that way of settling the question.
Some time after his brother was appointed
In the Baltimore Custom-House, Thomas in
formed witness that he made a good, capable
official. The condition of John M. AndersOn's
appointment was that James E. Anderson
should withdraw all his known claims, which
witness required him to do. James E. ap-
piled for place for himself about the middle
Of June, 1877, about the time witness received
the first letter from Matthews, which recon-
time Matthews was In this city, and saw An
derson las he states In his letter written later
on the cars going to Baltimore. He may have
written the first letter from this city, though
the first impression OF witness was that the
letter was dated at Cincinnati.
Witness-The first interview with Ander-
son on this matter of his appointment was
somewhere about the middle of June, and the
whole business was closed up about the
twenty-seventh of June. About the twenty
reply from Matthews to his letter, which
witness had inclosed to Matthews at Ander-
sons request, Anderson asked witness to
telegraph Matthews about an answer to that
letter, and Matthews telegraphed back, stat
ing that no answer was required or neces-
sary;.
President about Anderson. Went over to the
Presidents house with Anderson, at the ur-
gent request Of the latter, who stated to wit
ness that the President would confirm his
statement, that he had been promised higher
place than the one that had been given him.
He asserted that the President expected him
to have higher place than one at $1,000 Wit
ness never consulted the Secretary OF the
Treasury about his visit to the President, nor
did he ever tell him of It, he knew absolutely
nothing. about 1t. He would have nothing to
do about appointments, and would always re-
fer witness to Mccormick.
When we went to the President, the latter
refused to see Anderson, and expressed dis
gust and aversion toward him. Witness told
the President that Anderson was political
refugee from Louisiana, who had been offered
q $1,000 place, and refused, expecting a $4,000
position.
The President declined to see him, but said
he was not averse to Anderson having some
minor position, but the President said he was
not advised as to any services Anderson had
performed upon which any claim on the ad-
ministration could be founded; that he knew
OF no promises made to Anderson by any
body. He showed his aversion to Anderson
by his emphatic manner; discountenanced
Anderson's being put In high place. ETC., but
witness cannot restate his language.
He did not say that charges had been filed
with him against Anderson, and witness
knew nothing of any such matter.
At this point, the question rose in the COM
mittee as to the Conn letter that had been fur
mished to the committee by the Secretary of
the Treasury, and there was general agree
ment that the original letter and envelope
should be called for
Mr.. Smith here suggested that the commit |
tee also call for the eaccompanying documents. |
Mr.. Butler, looking flercely at wltness-I
don't think the committee desire to hear any
suggestions from you, sir; the less you say, |
the better. Ii you would keep quiet, the COM |
mittee would feel obliged to you.
The examination was further continued but |
elected nothing of Importance, and the wit |
ness was about to be discharged when he ex- |
pressed desire to make an explanation.
Permission being granted, Mr.. Smith said |
Il wish to explain in view Of what that gen.
tleman (referring to Mr.. Butler) has Just said |
to me- that this morning before went on the |
stand remembering that / was called as an |
expert, / saw Messrs. Morrison and McMa-
hon in this room, and asked If it would be |
proper to volunteer any information, as an |
expert, as to the Conn letter. was told that |
1t would be proper to do 50. was willing to |
afford any information in my power, and |
therefore made the suggestion which caused |
the gentleman (Mr. Butler) to interpOse his |
personal and offensive remark. That is all |
desire to say" The witness was then dis
charged, and the committee adjourned.