Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-02
MIR. NOyes' Testimony before the
Potter Committee.

Edward r. Noyes, Minister to France was called
and examined by Mr.. llscock. He testified A.
follows:
Odd you 60 to Flord. at the request of Mr..
Hatesi
A.-No, sir; had no communication with Pres
ident Hayes, aud went without his request and so
lar as know, without his knowledge. Mr.. Moves
related how he came to go to New Orleans and
then continued We remained there two or
three days DUNG which nothing was done ex-
cep to arrange the prehminaries with the demo
cratic visitors. There were various republicans
down there who had come from the Moth
Among them were Secretary Sherman, Gen. Gar
field, Gen. Van Allen of New York MIR Kssson
of Iowa, Gen. Wallace of Indiana and Governor
Cumback OF Indiana. Finding my presence there
unnecessary, prepared TO 20 back to Cincinnati
but about that time Eugene Hale received dis-
patch fIom the National Committee stating that
there WAS great danger that Florida would he
stolen away IRON u, and saying strong commit.
tee should be seat To Tallahassee. For some time
NOBODY would consent to go, hut at length Mr..
kasson and Col. Wallace said they would 90 if
would; wnerenpon, without having been specially
designated by any body, | started with those two
gentlemen for Tallahassee; that Is the who'll
story OF my going there, and " i'll add that while
there dId not receive one line or word from Gov.
Hayes by letter, telegram or otherwise a nd did
not communicate with him him in any way, by
etter Or telegraph.
I Q.-Stste what connection you had with the
canvass there, aid In what your labors onsis,ed
A.-When arrived in Tallahassee it was INV in.
tention to take no active part, but simply tn m.
serve and, if possible, to secure an homes, return
of the vote cast; but 1t was soon made known IN
me that there were no republican LAWYERS in that
State who could manage the affair before The
courts, OF present the case properly before the
Canyassing B1arl. Judge Emmons, the only re-
publican lawyer Of prominence there, was yerv
IN, and was importuned by the local republicans
to undertake the preparation of their case as the
democratic lawyers were preparing it for the other
side. ii agreed to prepare the case, and argue il
before the Returning Board, and at once went TO
work to mske myself familiar with the fact, in the
case. undertook to fad out what were the facts
about Archer precincts 10 Aschua county Iva.
Informed that Two of the in pectors named brakes
aud Moore, had made aft avits that there were
frauds there involving 2lg votes | think they
both substantially made other sffdavits DENYING
the truth Of this. and finally came on the stand TO
say the frst aft tavt Was true and second one
was false. Having testified so many WAYS put
no confidence whatever in What they said and so
argued TO the Board OF Canvas.ers On the 9th
er haud, one clerk and the other inspector had
constantly sworn that the returns were true and
correct made, aud in their favor was the fact of
the return signed by all the returning officers
without protest. 1 inquired of the republicans,
and satisfied myself that everything was perfect.
ly right Is returned but not content ith the ties.