The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-01
WASHINGTON.
Preliminary Meeting Of the Potter
Committee.
OPEN SESSIONS DETERMINED ON.
Visiting Statesmen the Objective
Point of Attack,
ATTITUDE OF THE PRESIDENT.
The Forthcoming Address OF the
Tennessee Delegation.
NO ATTACK ON 'THE TITLE" MEDlTATED.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.
WASHINGTON, May 81, 1878.

OF THE REPUBLICAN MEMBERS.
The Electoral Investigating Committee held two
sessions to-day. The nrst in the forenoon WAS Short
but tho second in the afternoon, lasted two hours,
the chief part OF the time being occupied discuss
ing the propriety oil conducting the investigation
with open doors General Butler insisted That the
sessions should be secret, and held that the
committee could not properly perform It's
work on any DINER plan. he said the
mittee ought first TO hear the testimony
and then give out only such might be pronounced
proper Tor the public to know; that in all investga
lions OF this character innocent mems names
dragged in and often through malice on the part OF
Witnesses that tor the protection OF parties who might
be unjustly connected in way with the alleged
frauds committee should hold everything secret.
ii the doors opened, no said. the press would
take hold OF hall told testimony and guess the rest
and thus do harm He also contended for secret ses
yons the OF convenience He objected to be-
Ing crowded josed about every by the crowds
who would be TO press into the small rooms
The other members contended for open sessions
and called particular attention 10 the fact that the
refusal to make public their proceedings had already
met with very general dsapprovaL II was urged that
the had indicated at the begn its pur-
pose TO mold open Sessions, and they could not con-
sistently adopt any other course. Finally General
Butler yielded and motion to hod open sessions
was UNANIMOUSLY adopted.
MI Cobb, of Indiana, formally announced TO the
committee that he was compelled 10 decline serving
account OF Ill health. Hc said ne had not re-
signed earlier because he expected to make the trip
to Florida the sub mmittee, but his Physician
had forbidden oven that. He would retire, he SAID,
and Mr. Springer OF illinois, had been chosen TO tako
his place ON the committee
After the committee adjourned Mr. Potter said IL
had been The intention OF the committee all along TO
bold open sessions when taking testimony, and no
resolution motion OF any kind in favor OF secret
sessions had been adopted He said that the
open would apply only the taking OF tesii
mopy; that when tho committee wished 10 discuss
business evidence confer it would hold executive
sessions. He further sad that resolution to admit
Secretary Sherman and his attorney during the exam-
(nation OF witnesses had beer UNANIMOUSLY adopted
by committee, ana he (Mr Potter instructed
ho 60 In form Secretary. But neither Secretary
Sherman nor his attorney will be permitted TO cross.
|examne Witnesses Tho committee, he said, will
kdo that with due regard for the interests OF all
parties concerned. When asked why Anderson, who
Pnrrived iron Philade phia this morning, not
amiued to-day, Mr. Potter said It had not been tho
purpose OF the committee 10 hear him before
morrow that he, as chairman OF the committee,
subpenaed Anderson by telegraph In order give
HIM due notice, anu Anderson came on Immediately.
Secretary sherman had been notified TO be hand
tomorrow, aud OF course the committee would
begin the examination until he was present. Ander-
son would be examined tomorrow morning, begin.
uing at ten O'Clock
The sub-corhmittees to visit Florida and Louisiana
nave not been definitely made up .rhey have been
suggested and the republican members have desig-
nsted Messrs. Reed and Hiscock represent their
party, but the democrats may make some change as
there is some dissatisfaction among them. Mr.. Mo
Mahnn expected to have charge OF OF the SUD-
committees and II may be arranged SO that ne will 20
10 Florida Ia place OF Mr.. Hunton Mr. Blackburn
may have charge of the Louisiana sub com mittce
The sub-comm,uces will not leave within days
Tho letter addressed TO Secretary Sherman notifies
him in substance that amy person mentioned in tho
resolution who is affected BY the testimony may be
present person and by counsel and may offer testi-
mony IN his own benalL The committee adhere to
the usual practice that all questions shall DO asked
through tho com misteo
The pan OF the committee, so tar as II has de-
veloped, looks mainly TO AN attempt TO Involve the
visiting in knowledge OF and partic patton
In election frauds. Tue republicans do how
many Of tho gentlemen are caught, anc will probably
let the democrats take thcir own course regard
TINS part OF the inquiry so far can DO asccrai ned
the republicans standing entirely the defensive
They private committee LOOKING over tho
voluminous evidence taken by committees OF both
houses 10 Louisiana anu Florida. order inform
the republican members OF tho investigating Commit
tee on needful points, which witnesses be
cross-examned.
There Is a report o-night that Anderson and sew
sral witnesses who 20 follow him will be ablo TO
OK upon one or two Of the VISITING statesmen by lot
tiers and evidence the fact that they had rela
tons with these witnesses alter the Inauguration
involving knowledge OF frauds and the revardlng
OF these Witnesses what they had done 1t Is also
Al.
republicans know that the East and West Fcliciana
parishes ought not to have been thrown out
Ii is further reported tnat the democrats hope 10
prove through Anderson tcnerrow--nrs. that sccfe-
iary sherman Induced Anderson 10 maze tho alleged
fraudulent protest BY which East Fecana parisL was
carried by promising him an ofico aud, second, That
senator Stanley Matthews induced the
In consequence Of Mr.. Shcrman's promise, to offer
Anderson a consulate.
The House to-day passed tho bali appropriatng
500 900 TO deray tho expenses Of The Potter nvcst
eating Committee
REPLY OF THE TENNESSEE DELEGATION 70
SECRETARY KEY.
the democratic members Of tho Tennessee deicga-
tlo have decided to issue address as Offset TO
the letter Of Postmaster General Key. IL Is inicndod
70 be a roply 10 his letter, although his name will not
be mentioned nor Will bis letter be alluded To- The
address will declare specific terms that the signers
do mediate attack upon the Presidents Tito
aud will not countcnance aid any attack Of that
kind movement OF That character II Will further
declare that the investigation has for It's object Tho
settlement Of tho charges 50 pcrsistenty made ,hat
the President elected through fraud IN order that
the country may know The whole truth.
the Delegation say that the record OF the demo-
watc party during the electoral troubles will propa-
bly, be referred to Tor the purpose Of showing that The
chi win nv
purposes put stop 70 proceedings aud ended
al trouble when they could have carried them out
had they so desired. Many Of the democratic mem
beers have expressed desire 10 sign the address, and
uwiu not be connred 70 The Tennessee Representa-