The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-05-30
THE s. INVESTIGATION. ,,

Secretary Sherman's Demand to Be Heard
The Committee Placed on the De-
fensive.
Secretary Sherman has written let
ter to Potter's committee which will put
the committee at once on the defensive.
and they will have to back down from
the allegations concerning him in the
preamble of Potter's resolution. Sher-
man has retained Judge Shella-
barger to represent him before the COM
mittee. The letter is as follows:
| The Hon. Clarkson N Potter Chairman, etc.
| SIR l observe that the resolution of the
| House, under which your committee is organ
lied, singles me out personally by name from
/ among twenty or more gentlemen who were
present, at the request of President Grant or
| the Chairman of the Democratic National Com
mlttee, to attend and witness the action of the
Returning Board upon the Presidential election
returns in the State of Louisiana in 1876. and
In substance charges that at that election in
East Fehclana parish, and In part in West
| Feliciana parish in Louisiana, the Republican
vote was withheld and not cast in pursuance
| and execution OF conspiracy by such voters /:
| that in furtherance OF such conspiracy James
East Pehciana, and ID. A. Weber, Supervisor of
Registration in West Feliciana, falsely pro-
tested that said election IN such parishes had
not been free and fair, and that theFeupon the
Returning Board of said State falsely and
fraudulently excluded the votes of said pre-
cincts and by means thereof and Of other false
and fraudulent action OF said Returning Board.
the choice Of the people Of the State was an
nulled and reversed, and that such action By
ND SY1TT4
couraged by the assurance Of the Hon. John
Sherman now Secretary of the Treasury. This
resolution requires you to investigate three
allegations and upon the truth Of these
demands the accusation against me, VIZ: /.
That there was 8 conspiracy among voters to
withhold and not cast votesy with view to
make false charge as to election. 2. That. in
point of fact, there was a free and fair cleo
ton in East and West Felcana, which was
falsely protested and returned by said Ander-
son and Weber, by which the votes OF those
parishes were falsely and fraudulently exeiwd-
ed by the Returning Board. 81 That the Of
tense was encouraged by assurances from me.
With viewy therefore, to meet this ACCUSE
ton, which, SO far as it affects me, declare
and know to be absolutely destitute of even the
shadow Of TRUTH / respectfully ask, and now
make formal application for leave to be repre-
sented before Your committee by counsel. in
the investigation of all charges afSecting nv
self pr rsonally. Z tender and offer to prove
that in point Of fact the election in East and
West Feliciaaa parishes was governed and con-
trolled by force violence, and intimidation. 80
revolving as to excite the common indignation
of all who became eOnversant with it, and thst
proof was submitted to that effect; not only
before the Returning Board, in evidence con-
tanned in Executive Documents No. q, second
session Forty fourth Congress, but also in tes-
timony taken by the Committee of the Senate
on Privileges and Elections (Report No. VO1.
second session FOrty-fOurth Congress). will.
if allowed, furnish the names Of witnesses
whom desire to examine before you, toprove
the truth of this statement as to said parishes,
and that the protests referred to were. true,
supported by testimony, and properly acted
upon and sustained by the Returning Board.
To my personal conduct during this examining
ton invite your faipand candid scrutiny with
entire confidence that not only myself but my
associates of both political parties acted hon
estly and properly, From sense of public
duty, have requested the Hon. Samuel She'll
abarger to deliver this to you, and respectful
~ designate him as, this gentleman would de-
sire, on my part, to be present to cross-examlne
witnesses testifying in relation to changes
against me, and who,will, as my counsel, tender
evidence in proof of this statement. The favor
of an early reply is requested. Very respect
fully, JOHN SHERMAN