The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-06-11
POTTER's COMMITTEE.
overhauling the Telegraph Office.
"A Disquisition on Rats by B. F
Butler.
A Long Telegram to Gov. Young
of Ohio.

y. Anderson 10 act as messenger 10 brlnl
the returns OF Louisiana 10 Washington
Witness produced paper purporting tt
be signed by all the electors.
Elijah L. Bugbee, Washington man.
ager Of the Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph
Company, was the next witness. He wa
called at the instance OF General Butler
who examined him.
Mr.. Butler-You were subpGnaed Il
bring with you book showing the re
ceipt and delivery Of certain kilograms
Have you brought il?
Witness-I have not, sir.
MIR. Butler-Was there any difficulty
in finding il?
Wi.ness-I have not been able to fine
il so far. The book had some memo
randa Of q dispute between q former
cashier and clerk and il was wanted fol
those memoranda some time ago. / have
forgot what disposition was made OF Il
after. -.
Mr.. Butler-Pardon me sir, you saw
mo about half past 12 or l o'clock, die
you moi?
Witness-I did.
MIR. Butler.-You saw me talk will
your cashier?
Witness-Yes sir, with the present
cashier.
Mr.. Butler-And you saw him give me
this memorandum (referring to the pa
per in his handy from that booki
Withess-I did not see him give you
a,y memorandum
Mr. Butler-Didn't you see him look
ing over the book, and then went in and
asked you for the book2
Witness-I did not.
Mr.. Butler-Hasn't he told you that he
gave me memorandum?
Witness-He told me that he did.
Mr.. Butler-Was there any difficulty
in your bringing that book?
Witness-That book was not the origi-
nal, that was a book Of entry for keep
ing accounts. :,
Butler-That is the book ] want. Mer
don't falsify their account books general
~; although they do some others.
Wilness-The summons calls for the
original book, because entries are moi
made in it. The frat original book !.
the one that have not been able 10 FIND
80 far.
Bntler-If I understand your course
OF business II is that when telegram IL
received copy is presented before the
message is delivered.
Witness-Yes, sir, Of messages that are
received for delivery.
Butler-Have you found the one that
asked for !?
Witness-I have not.
Butler-You told me you thought the
rats had eaten that, didn't you?
Witness-I think il has been destroyed
by rats.
Buller-When do you think rats be.
gan on it?
Wi,ness-I can't say.
Butler-When did you frat ascertain
that rats had eaten that telegram?
Witness-I can't say that rats did eat
It, but l think they did, because several
packages that were stored in that closet
have been almost entirely destroyed by
rats.
Butler-I suppose you take those
copies because you think it some adyan-
tage TO the company to have them taken
Witness-That Is the order and rule OF
the company.
Butler-Are the same kilograms stored
In that same closet now-what is left oil
them2
Witness-They are.
Butler-Haye any pains been taken to
stop the ratholes
Witness-I can't say that there has
been. -,
Butler-Then the kilograms ara still
exposed 10 the depredations Of the rats Z
Witness-I presume they are, unless
the rats have gone out Of the closet.
Mr.. Butler-That depends upon the
yolition OF the rats. Nowsdo you mean
TO say that your course Of business is TO
put valuable papers where Fats can get
al them and destroy them, and to leave
them there after you know rats are de-
Stroying them?
Witness-These papers are so old that
they are not considered Of any value to
the company.
Mr.. Butter-Those that 1 asked you
for are little more than year old-Feb'
ruary "a, 1877, Is the date. Who was
your night clerk at that date9
Witness-I cannot speak positiyely;bui
think Il was George Dunning. =.
Mr.. Butler-It was his business, was II
not, when 4 telegram was handed In te
count the number OF words and compute
the charge for sending 1t, and check the
amount on the telegram?
Witness Yea, sir.
Mr.. Butler-Would you know hii
handwriting
Witness-I think I should.
Butler (handing 4 paper).-Look and
see II that Is his check on that paper.
Witness-I should take that to be hi
handwriting; have no doubt about 1t.
Butler-Did you ever see that tele
gram before?
Witnes-Yes; / saw II at our Office.
Buler-When was II taken from you
files?
Witness-T am not sure; l can't say
but Il was some months ago l think.
Butler-I did not take 1t, SO far as yot
know2
Witness-No, sir; am sure that yor
did not take II from me.
Mr.. Butler produced another Telegram
which witness identified as having pAsset
over the A. & P. line-the answer TO thl
frst. Both are printed below:
WASHINGTON, February 90, 1877,
To Lieut.. Coz. Tha. L. Yoaag and Alfret
d. Lee, Colunbui Ohio.
Confidential.
Alta conference OF the Louisiana Re
publicans Unionists and Southern Whigl
the following expresses their wishes and
what is best iu their judgment: The new
era expected by the Inauguration ot Gov
Hayes has already created great harmony
between the aforementioned elements
They now desire 70 non-sectioualiEt
the party politics and remove the bitter
ness and jealousy Of races IN the South
as ioreshGdoWed In Mr.. Hayes letter o.
reception. In order 10 effect this It 4
necessary 10 have 4 complete change IL
the officers thereby giving confidence Y
the people that this new and
glorious departure 70 reconcile and
harmonic is not be engineered and di
rected BY those who have failed in th'
past. The natural national elements II