Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-06-05

leSt rain tndG ever VlslteU tu0So parts.
Two houses are reported blown down
between here and Casey. Some 9TH
err houses are reported as blown
down but nothing authentic as yet.
The potter Investigation Com
menced.
WASHINGTON, June 1.-The Potter
committee met to-day,
all the members present Potter an
as a subcommittee to visit
Florida, Hunton, Springer and His
cock, and James E. Anderson, of
previously supervisor
of registration of East Feliciana Par
ish, Louisiana, was the first witness |
called and Representative MacMahon
began his examination. After Civ
ing detailed statement as to the du-
ties ofsupervisor of registration, An
derson said he had seen the docu- |
ment known as the Sherman protest
and that it had been altered, DOT be-
ing the same as when signed by him.
In answer to a question as to the al
terations witness said there were two
or three additional paragraphs in the
document and that it was filled in in
several places. Review documents
were read giving detailed statements
of the manner in which his (Ander-
son's) life was endangered. Regard
ing intimidation, &c, in his parish he
was of the opinion that because he
would not carry out the ideas of Gov.
Kellogg and others they were desir-
Gus OF having him out of the way.
Kellogg said that will never do and
suggested that Anderson rally the
colored voters of two polls and carry
them and let the remainder Of the
polls 60 depocratic, remarking fur
Their that Witness then got up dis
turbance add in consequence thereof
threw the democratic votes out.
A document was produced purport-
ing to be al affidavit which had been
signed by witness and Dan A. Weber,
supervisor of West Feliciana parish,
wherein those gentlemen had refused
to sign protest against the result of
their parishes, as they knew that .
large democratic gain had been OBJ
tanned by legitimate means. The
original Of this affidavit, witness
said, was recently in possession
of Honorable Stanley Matthews.
In an inter view with Gov. Kellogg
he was asked how his (Andersons)
parish was going and he replied about
l,5OO democratic majority. While
in New Orleans he heard that John
Sherman was in the city DESTROYS to
see Dan Weber and himself, where
upon they called ut the St. Charles
/ Hnsol fr> ,an M Gbnru,a,, hns g. slnl
to find him there, but later succeeded
in finding him al Malaine's Restau-
rant on Canal street. Weber advanced
addressing Sherman. The latter re-
marked Gentlemen am glad 70 see
you. Continuing Sherman said:
'Gentlemen l want to see you, as
understand there is some difficulty in
your respective parishes. This is
time when the assistance of every re-
pu blican and true patriot is needed
and trust you will stand by u.s."
| Weber remarked in endeavoring to
do their duty they had incurred the
displeasure of Packard and Kellogg
and were compelled to leave their
respective parishes, and in the event
of Packards election ss Governor we
will get nothing from the adininistra-
ton. Whereupon they were answer
ed by Sherman that they would be
cared for as Hayes would control the
federal patronage. All he desired of
them was that they stand firm and let
the record run along as it is. After
the lapse of q short time Weber and
Anderson concluded to forward let
ter to Sherman informing him that
they were not satisfied with their con-
versation with them as regards being
taken care Of and requesting that he
inform them in writing az to whom
they should look to for fultillment OF
his promises.
Hiscock, Butler aud Cox of Com.
mittee objected to the reading OF
what was claimed by witnesses to be
a copy of the reply to their letter to
Sherman should first see the docu-
ment and if he recognized it az copy
of his reply then should it be admit
ted in evidence.
j Judge Shellabarger, counsel for
Sherman, said in reply to a question
that he had no kno Wedge of Sher-
mans ever having written such let
: ter.
i Butler offered a resolution which
was adopted providing that thu paper
if identified be received, but not read
until Secretary Sherman be called be-
fore the Committee and have oppor-
tunity to. see it. Whereupon Chair.
man Potter notified Sherman of the
action of the Committee.
a letter was produced, signed by
witness, addressed to Weber stating
that Packard was raising Ill be-
cause of their refusal to protest
against returns in their respective
parishes.
After recess Secretary Sherman
appeared and the letter which was
claimed by Anderson to be reply to
bis letter, was shown TO the Secretary
who said: "Mr. Chairman, 1 believe
from my responsibility Of views that
| have taken that never wrote such
q letter. If | have written it it
must have been when the returning
officers convened to count the returns
and l do not believe that l ever
wrote this letter. At the same time
there are things in this letter would
have written to these or any other
men engaged in such an occupation,
but don't believe that l wrote this
letter."
A vote was then taken on the ques-
ton Of having the letter read and it
resulted affirmatively. 1t is in SUBJ
stance as follows:
"Your note of even date, just re-
ceived. Neither Mr.. Hayes, myself
or other gentlemen with me shall for
get the obligations under which you
have placed us, if you stand firm in
the position you are taking. From a
long conversation with Mr.. Hayes l
am justified in answering you that
you will be provided for as soon af-
ter the 4th of March az possible and
in case you are compelled to leave the
state that will not materially inter-
fere."