The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-08-23
THE Potter Committee.

New YORK, August 22.--MaJor Burke, IN
his testimony to-day, detailed the condition
OF affairs in the State when in the hands OF
the Republicans in 1876. The registrars
were all Republicans. He said We OF
fered to prove frauds, and asked TO De ac-
corded equal representation on the Board
| OF Registration, but we, were laughed
at. The census Of the parish OF orleans
for 1875 showed colored population OF
1851, and on that basis there ought to
have been colcred vote OF 1850, but in
1875 the registration OF colored votes
amounted to 24,300. We objected to this,
but were again laughed ut. The supervisor
OF registration was Republican, and fixed
matters as be pleased. There were several
Thousand white votes thrown out, but the
| colored ones were allowed to stand"
| Witness recollected that there was but
one instance in which aftidavits in regard
to riots and tumult came up in proper
shape as required by law, and this was pro
tested by Republicans from the parish OF
Copcordia. The Returning Board took no
notice Of it, and counted the whole vote OF
the parish for the Republicans. The re-
turns that witness got in before the Repub-
| licans ascertained their full vote Indicated
majority for Nichols over Packard OF
nearly 5000. and for the Tilden electors
over the Hayes electors majority OF some
1000 to 5000. The Democratic party gain
eP the support of many colored Republl-
cans through barhecues. rersuasions, and
other methods. Unusual pains were taken
by the Democrats to prevent intimidation.
| The intimidation of voters all came from
the Republican side:
Witness continued ut considerable length,
during which he said that in an interview
/ tha1 NJ Nnvpnh
he stated to witness he was in possession OF
documentary and other evidence that would
1 prove conspiracy by the Republican party
| 10 throw outtbe five bulldoZed parishes OF
East Feliciana, Ouchta, Morehouse. Rich
land, and East Baton Rouge. He further
said that he could secure us the parish OF
East Felciana, but was poor, ana II he ana
so would probably be thrown into prison
on trtmped-up charge. Witness had in
terviews with other Republicans regarding
| Louisiana besides those in the Worm!ey
conference.
Witness said: Tt was also communi-
Gated to Governor Nichols that there was
determination to exact two Republican
United States senators from the Nichols
Legislature in consideration for the yield
ing up OF the State. This was what chiefly
had brought him to Washington. The wit
ness had an interview with secretary Calh-
erou on Louisiana matters. Cameron APP
peared to think that the Nichols govern
ment should prevail, but the ditticulty
was in decreasing the power OF the Repuo-
Iicans in the Senate. There were two sets
OF Republican gentlemen in Washington
one at tue WormIey conference, who were
interested only in seating Hayes, and the
other, Cameron and his friends, who also
wanted two United States Republican SEN
ators. Witness was told by Mr.. Randall
Gibson that Sherman was acting with Cam
eron in regard 10 the Republican senators.
Major Burke will again be on the stand
to. morrow. At the end Of his testimony
to-day the following telegram was read:
Columbus, Ohio, March 1, 1S77.-Hon.
w. L. Horne, Wizards Hotel: Hayes in
Washington tomorrow noon. Telegraph
me the result before you go to bed tonight.
We are waiting. Thanks for favors.
THOMAS l.. YOUNG.
W. E. Horne was next on the stand,
and declined to answer Buffers question
whether he (witness) advised Governor
Young of the results OF the Woruley con-
ference on the ground that he acted in the
capacity OF Il legal adviser.