The Van Buren press., 1878-07-30
THE RESULTS OF INyEsTIGA-
TtOS.
What Has Been Proved so far by the
Potter Committee,
From the Washington Pos, !

From the Washington Post.l
The Potter committee hayo proved,
beyond successful rcbutta, things belo-
we'd to be true, but not absolutely pro-
ven to be truo before, to-wit That tho
electoral votes of Florida and Louisiana,
which were given to Hayes, belonged to
Tildcn. Leaving out of consideration,
the State Of Florida, which no honest
man will deny to have been stolen, we
will take up Louisiana. As to this State
the Potter committee has clearly proved: :
!. That conspiracy was entered into
by certain political leaders, tho object
being to hold no election in East Felicia
na, Grant, and other Democratic par
ishes.
2. The fact that no republican votes
cast in East Fcliciana. was not due to in
timidation as alleged, but was owing to
Andorson's advice to tho Republican
leaders not to vote, rs it would have Il
better effect than all the ailidavits that
could be produced.
3. That for period of two days after
the election the Republican leaders ad
mitted that Tildcn and Nichols had car
ried the State by heavy majority.
4. That when it became evident that
the election of Hayes depended upon
tho result of the State, deliberate prepa
rations were made for the purpose of de-
ieating the will Of the people as expires
sed at the polls.
B. That, in pursuance of this plan,pro
tests, forged, and altered to suit the oc
casion, were made for the parishes OF
East and West Feliciana, whereby 0
Democratic majority OF over 1000 wa:
changed to Republican majority o.
500.
g. That tho Supervisors of the above
named parishes were prevented by
promises of reward made by John Shcr.
man and others from exposing such for
gerios.
7. That on the 9th day of November
when the Returning Board proceeded tc
sum up the result of their labors, it was
discovered that, while Packard and O
Republican Legislature was elected
Hayes was defeated.
s. That after the above date, and in
order to secure the electoral vote fol
Hayes, forged protests were made for
Richland and other parishes and the ro
turns from Lafayette and other parishes
SO changed as to increase the Republican
vote.
8. That aflidavits bearing fictitious
names and the names of dead men, were
manufactured in the Custom House, and
upon such atfidavits various democratic
polls were thrown out.
10 That the acts above recited were
known to some OF the visiting states
men, and received their approval.
IL. That the electoral vote of the State
as counted before the two houses of con-
gross, was Il forgery.
II That John Sherman, now Secreta-
ry Of the Treasury, and at the time the
personal representative of Mr.. Hayes,
WAS guilty of subornation of perjury.
|. l3. That the leading parties necessa
W to the completion of the fraud were
promised by him protection and reward.
Ii. That the Fraudulent President, in
fnliilment of Shcrman's 5 and Noyes' pro-
misses, has rewarded with offices every
scoundrel connected with the great crime
III DOlH FlOIJui ana ILOulSiaHa
Is. That Stanley Matthews, a Repub-
lican Senator from Ohio, and Justice
Harlan, a Jhdge of the Supreme Court,
had guilty knowledge Of the fraudulent
Transactions by which the vote Of Louis
lana WAS stolen, and personally interest
ed themselves to reward and protect the
criminals.
lG. That Senator Morton and Gen.
Garfield, both members of the Electoral
Commission, knew when they vo,ed to
count the vote Of Louisiana for HAYES,
that il was both fraudulent and for
gerry.
II. That Senator Kellogg, who assist;
cd at the forgery Of the Louisiana re-
turns, has since been guilty of secreting
tho witnesses.
is. That not one of tho criminals who
assisted to perpetrate the colossal crime
Of the age, has been punished; but that
all but two-numbering over hundred
have been provided with offices by
Mr.. Hayes direct order OF request, and,
in some cases, by and through his con-
tinued and persistent interference.
With a few exceptions, these facts are
proved, exclusive of the testimony OF
Anderson or Weber, notwithstanding tho
committee had only fairly entered upon
its task.
Mcxicnn FOrayS