The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-13
THE POTTER INVESTIGATION.
GENERAL BUTLER INDIGNANT AT THE rArLunH
OF SENATOR MATTHEWS TO APPxAH BzRoRn

GENERAL BUTLER INDIGNANT AT THE FAILuAA
OF SENATOR MATTHEWS TO APPEAs BzRoRn
TIE COMMITTEE.
The Potter Investigating Committee resumed yes
tsrday morning ts this cay, after short
vacation. The only three members prsssnt-Asssra
Potter, Butler and Backburn--met In room of tho
Naval Once Thsthree committeeman were confronted
by dozen the daily press and
two witnesses be called to-day. Colone-
William H. Roberts and J. e. Psst oil the New Orleans
Times were also present. Alter waiting some time
for Mr. Frank Hisooek Of New York, who more
particularly represents tho administration In the
committees. and without whom they we're ua-
willing to GO on, General Butlor opened the ball
by formally inquiring OF the chairman whether
Senator Matthew's was IN attendance a Witness
SENATOR MATTHEW'S u "xxoAGxD."
Mr.. Potter replied in tho negative, saying that he
understood Senasor Matthews had been served with
q subpoena In the Fifth Avenue Hotel on Saturday
last and had pleaded professional engagement As
bar TO his appearance before the committee The fol-
lowing colloquy then snsued:-- sa
General Butler-Mr. Matthew's u not now engaged
In any Senatorial duties, SO far AZ informed am
not that there any committee Of the Senate
IN sesson At all, and am quite certain that there IL
NO Senate committee In session OF which he o mem.
ber; therefore Mr.. Matthews stands like any otho
citizen Of the United States. as distinguished hs
H. and open the subpoena OF this committee under
the resolution or the House. He has appeared
and OF course, would like give him every oppor.
tunity 10 appear; but understand you to soy, Mr..
Chairman, that he has signiAed IN some form to you
that he did not intend to appear.
Mr.. Potter--I understood that he had q profcs.
sionAl engagement a, Newport which would prevent
his being here Tomorrow, but also gathered from
the officer who served the subpoena that NJ Matthews
did not inteud 10 appear at all.
GENERAL BUTLER s'GoEs FOB" xArrHxws 81.
General Butter (sharpiy)-I also have very mpor-
tant professional engagements OF some Importance to
myself and OF some importance TO my clients, to at
to-day Boston but felt that the public bust
required my presence here at the risk OF prefes
sional engagements The loss Of professional on.
gsgements. certainly would not press the attond-
OF Mr. Matthews hore his personal professional
discomfort II he assigned that u reason why no
would not come. But II all this means simply
tnat he does not mean 10 obey the
OF the House Of Rspresen tatives, then.
In my Judgment Is member OF the
House, the tho issue Is made and determined
aud settled the better for the ascertainment or tho
rights q Inc citizen 1 ana o. me rights ana PTyssss
SGT AZ nauRht the subp0ua Of this committee then
any other citizen OF tho United States set II al
nauEht; and this iuvestlgston IL useless except ia
hear willing witnesses, and volunteer witnesses
always subject to suspicion, and thor testimony ID
l never kn(nW how much crcdsnce to place IN what
In the puOc prints but place any crsdenee In
fore newspaper reporters on the subject mat
ter of this investigation. Then, tho Sena-
TO testify to the newspaper reporters and may re-.
testify whore be be under oath, subject 10
the pains and penalties Of perjury and subject to
examination, the quicker that claim 10 settled
the better II Mr.. Matthew'S had boon wholly reticene
witness we might have supposed that some sense
OF personal confidence in hts relations 20 tue Worm
ley conference may have been controlling, which,
among gentlemen Except Always In court Of justcck
docs not put forwari, because he goes TO the
papers tells them about It, Now, Il no tolls tnsra
as much pleases want him to tell here as much
~ the commistee plsases, ana just as much only.
therefore It be entered our record that
OF the Of - g.
the House for such action as In its judgment viii DO
consistent with the dignity, power anu rights Of the
Mr. Biscxburn mentioned the fact that i've or six
weeks ago he Mr.. Matthews ~ Cincinnati and be
(halthsws) then told HIM that about this slime he
would have important case to argue At Newport,
Ia which Mr.. Hendricks was also engaged
BUTLBR soPrENrNG. 4
General ButIer-If mat be his excuse NO one VIII
accept such excuse sooner snan myself, because
ing IN my remarks ana action on The ground that M
Matthews did not come hers. engassmSnt or no en-
: Mr. Potter said that no nrst sent . summons -
Cincinnati to DO served there upon Mr. Matthew's, bus
on learning thas tho Senator was to pass through
New YORK hs thought II only an act OF courtesy TO
send the clerk oil the COMMITTEES TO him. M Potter
then called upon tue clerk 70 state exactly on what
ground Mr.. Matthews placed his refusal 70 appear.
Mr. Rossiter Lines, CLERK Of the eommittee-I
handed tho subpGna to senator Matthews the Psrk
Avenue Hotel and the Senator tod me II would be
impossible for him to attend on Monday a. he had q
professional engagement AZ Newport, aud that shse
being the case, what he would dc under otnsr CIR.
could have interest for the committees
and he did not propose 10 say what he would do II be
we're free.
Al this statement committee, audiences, Witnesses
and reporters all smiled. MI Potter gravsly queries,
enc ola NOT iuoica.e any time whom no would a;
Mr.. Potter then formally took nosiee OF General
Buffers motion, but postponed action upon u until
Mr.. Frank Hiscock's presence this morning He waa
In Watch Hill yesterday. The committees thea I'd.
journs all eleven O'Clock this morning.. when Colonel
Roberts will be examined The committee, 10
thought will SIT here all the week and hear number
OF Witnesses TO be called ~ General Butler.