The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-07-15
THE INVESTIGATION.
KellOgg's Relations with Weber,
Anderson and the Jenkses.
The Committee takes a Vacation
Until the 23ai.

WASHINGTON, Tu'y 13.-The Potter commit
tee met this morning.
Senator Kellogg. IN reply to Mr.. Soioger
made certain explanations of the various state
mepts containing figures of the votes ,oll.d in
Louisiana in 1875. Nothing of Interest was
developed.
Q-Were you present at any consultations
of the visiting statesmen while they were 10
New Orleans?
Ayes sir, met with then on several occa.
sons.
Odd you ever meet with them in parlor P
of st. Charles hotel?
A-Parlor p was their rendezvous and 7
rarely went there without meeting some of the
visiting statesmen.
In reply to further interrogations of Springer
be stated that he had no knowledge of any let.
ter or telegram having been sent from Column
bus Ohio, by Gov Hayes to any member or
members of the Returning Board during the
progress of the count
He did not recollect that he ever conversed
with E. L. Weber about his brothers standing
firm to his protest He wrote Mrs. jerks but
two letters, both in reference to her requests
that he should use his influence towards secur-
ing either her husband or her brother posi-
ton 10 the New Orleans custom house. He
Inquired in one of these letters if she knew of
anything definite regarding the much talked
of letter"
Odd you refer to the Sherman letter?
Ayes sir, but cannot now say whether I
mentioned the name of Sherman,
The testimony Of Mr.. jerks, to the effect
that be and his wife had correspondent with Mr..
Kellogg for several years, the witness called a
mistake. adding that he believed their cores
pondence had all occurred since 1877
In reply to Mr.. Potter, Mr.. kellogg said that
Mrs. jerks did not come to Washington at his
request. nor in bis interest. He did not know
the object of her visit He had heard her re-
mark that she hoped Packard would get the
collectorsbip, but could not say that she came
to assist in it, He (Kelogg) thinks that Mrs.
jerks mistakes in stating that she had fire.
queut interviews with him regarding the count
during its progress. Had there been any such
interviews be should have remembe them,
He had no recollection whatever of any such
conversation with her.
Mr.. Potter then questioned the witness re-
garding the social and political standing of
james E. Anderson, D. A. Weber, Mr.. aud
Mrs. jerks, and others.
Tho witness testified that j, e. Anderson
was not considered by him to be trustworthy
Republican. He did not recollect whether or
not ID. A. Weber was appointed by him to the
position he held in New Orleans. He knew
nothing of the standing of Mrs. jerks AL
ways considered her husband an honorable gem
tleman and good Republican.
The chairman then questioned the witness
very closely whether or not be had any knowl-
edge as Governor of Louisiana, that there had
been no protest made from the parishes of East
and West Feliciana.
Witness stated that the record would show,
whereupon Potter repeated the question and
requested direct reply, which witness refused
to give, saying:
81 know nothing about if, but if you will
give me five minutes can find it in the rec
ord"
Pot.er-We can find it in the record our
selves.
Witness Well then, cannot reply further
to the question.
Witness, 10 reply to further questions regard
leg intimidation stated he had heard from
various sources of che existence of Democratic
intimidation on East and West Feliciana, but
had no personal knowledge Gould not say
whether the protest of James E. Anderson was
before the Returning Board or not. Kellogg
then in reply to Potter stated he had no
knowledge. of any applications for Federal
troops having been made by the election Off
GERS in East or West Feliciana on the day of
election.
Butler interrogated Kellogg, and then said.
10 way OF question, 81 understand the state of
the fact to be that all members of the Visiting
Commission but one had Federal offices given
or rendered them, and that one was largely
interested 10 whiskey case which was
settled. All the Returning Board and all
supervisors except one Weber who was Kill ed
and Capt. jerks, Mrs. jerks and her sister or
brother, all had been rewarded under the civil
service order of the administration for the
action in the election or other causes
Hiscock said the question was categorical,
and must be answered yes or no.
Butler then modified his question as follows:
Have any OF them not been appointed to
Federal offices, so far as you know?
Hiscock objected to the question, on the
ground that the fact must be proved by affirma-
tive not by negative testimony.
Butler modified the question, and Kellogg
answered By showing that according to his
knowledge some of the commission had been
appointed to Federal offices, aad also tha5
some OF the supervisors whom he named had
also been appointed to places.
Butler then asked--Do you know any reason
or OF any special qualifications of those per-
sons why they more than any others should be
appointed to off 3e unless in connection with
service in Louisiana politics?
Hiscock objected to the question, saying ii
was intended to make the administration an.
pear ridiculous
Butler said he could not render the admins
tration more ridiculous than it had rendered
itself.
In response to Mr. Buffers remark, that he
ridiculous than it had made itself, Mr. Hiscock
thanked Butler for the remark as showing the
whole purpose of the latter's inquiry.
Mr.. Potter decided that The query was proper,
as there had been charges of a corrupt electlon
and returns in Louisiana.
Witness-With the exception of j, e An.
dersen, all the parties named, [ believe, were
appointed because they were competent to dis
charge the duties Of toeir respective offices, and
they were men of sufficient character to Justify
their appointment, and have also been true,
constant and working Republicans in the last
campaign, and L think there are more Re publi-
cans of good character who were Efficient and
active in the campaign who ought to be ap-
pointed 10 office for that very reason, if they
are otherwise competent and upright
Q-These other honest and noble men of
whom you speak nd not happen to bs the
supervisors who made the protests at the ii ne
of the election, did they?
A-Fhey may not have done that, but they
were more or less in the last election.
The witness testified as to Weber's connec-
ton with the Feliciana violence, etc His own
knowledge of the Feliciana trouble was based
on telegrsphic Information from the SUPER
visors, and after the election he was informed
by Weber that he dared not return to Feliciana.
Adjourned 10 Atlantic City, N. j., July 23d,