Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-05-29
Sherman TO Potter.


: An associated press dispatch from
Washington dated May 22nd, gives the
following letter of Secretary John Sher
man to Clarkson N. Potter in relation
to the electoral investigation. The let
ter explains itself: Gtt So fai .u.l<-.
Hon. GARRISON ~. Potter, Chairman, etc.,
ETC.: sf,.. ,aso..u.d g. rfui yt4gr a,t. F.
SIR observe that the, resolution of
the house under which your committee
is organized, singles me out personally,
by name, from among twenty or more
gentlemen who were present, at there
quest of President Grant and the chair
man of the democratic national COM
smittee, to attend and witness the action
of the returning board upon the
presidential election returns in
the state of g. Louisiana in 1876;
and in substance charges that
at an election in East Feliciana
parish in louisiana a conspiracy was
entered into by the republican voters
and that in furtherance of such cOnspir-
acy James E. Anderson, supervisor of
registration in East Feliciana, and d.
A. Weber, supervisor Of registration in
West Feliciana, falsely protested that
said election in each parish had not
been full and fair, and that thereupon
the returning board of said state falsely
and fraudulently excluded the votes Of
said precincts thereof, and that by other
false and fraudulent actions of said re-
turning board the choice of the people
of the state was annulled and reversed,
and that such action by said
Weber and Anderson was induced or
encouraged by the assurance of Hon.
John Sherman, now secretary of the
treasury. This resolution requires you
to investigate these allegations and up
on the truth Of these depends the accu-
sations against me, viz: r-
First-That there was a conspiracy
among the voters to withhold and not
cast the votes with view to make q
false charge as to the election.
Second That in point of fact
there was l free. and fair
election in east and west Feliciana,
which was falsely protested against and
returned by said Anderson and Weber,
by which the votes of those parishes
were falsely and fraudulently excluded
by the returning board. iTago t'
/, Third-That the offense of Anderson
and Weber was encouraged by assur-
ances from me- ,.la.
With a view. therefore, to meet this
accusation which, SO far as it affects me,
I declare and know to be absolute
ly destitute even Of the shadow
of truth I respectfully ask and now
make formal application for leave to be
represented before your committee by
council q in the investigation of all
charges affecting myself personally. l
tender and offer to prove that in point
Of fact the election in East and West
Feliciana parishes was governed and
controlled by force, violence and intim-
idation 50 revolving as to excite the
common Indignation of allwho became
conversant with it. will, if allowed,
furnish the names .Of the Witnesses
whom desire to examine before you to
prove the truth of this statement
as to said parishes and the protests re-
ferred to were true, supported by testi-
mony and properly acted on and sus-
tanned by the returning board. To my
personal conduct during this examina-
ton | invite your fair and candid scru-
tiny, with entire confidence that not
only myself but my associates of both
political parties acted honestly, properly
from asense of public duty. | have re-
quested Hon. Sam. ShelIabarger to de-
liver you this. and respectfully deslg-
nate him as the gentleman l would de-
sire on my part to cross-examine the
witnesses testifying in relation to the
charges against me and who will. as
my counsel, tender evidence in proof of
this statement The favor of an early
reply is requested. ...,fz
.l1t55l@ - Very Respectfully, .u.t
JOHN SHERMAN.