Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-05-22

WASHINGTON, Nav 20-The following is the
letter OF Secretary Sherman to Clarkson N. Pot
ter, on the subject of the Potter resolution:
May Goth, 1868: Hon. Clarkson N. Potter,
chairman, &C., DC. SIR: 1 observe that the res
olution of the House under which your COM
mittee il organized, singles me out personally
by name from among twenty or more gentle
men who were present at the request Of Presi-
dent Grant, or the chairman Of the Democratic
national committee, to attend and witness the
action of the returning board upon tho Presi-
DENTAL election returns in the State of Louisi-
ana in 1876, and in substance charges that at
the election in West Feliciana parish,
in Louisiana, the Republicans entered
into q conspiracy for changing the
result in said parish; that in furtherance
of such conspiracy, James E. Anderson, Super
visor of registration in East Feliciana, and d.
A. Weber. supervisor of registration in West
Feliciana, falsely protested that said election
in each parish had not been free and fair, and
that thereupOn the returning board of said
State falsely and fraudulehtly excluded the
votes of said precincts and by means of these
and other fraudulent actions of said returning
board, the choice of the people of the State was
annulled and reversed: and that such action by
said Weber and Anderson was induced or en-
couraged by the assurance Of Hon. John 6her-
man, now secretary of the treasury.
This resolution requires you to investigate
these allegations. and upon the truth of these
depends the accusation against me, namely:
First-That there was conspiracy among
the voters to withhold and not cast votes, with
view to make a false charge as to the election.
Sec0nd-That in point of fact there was a
free and fair election in East and West Felici-
ana, which was falsely protested and returned
by said Anderson and Weber, by which the
votes of those parishes were falsely and fraud
ulently excluded by the returning board.
Third-That the offense of Anderson and
Weber was encouraged by assurances from me.
With view to meet this accusation which,
so far as it affects me, declare and know to be
absolutely destitute of even the shadow of
truth, l respectfully ask and now make formal
your committee by counsel,in the investigation
of all charges affecting myself personally. I
tender and offer to prove that in point Of fact
the election in East and West. Fellciana par
ishes was governed and controlled by force,
violence and Intimidation, SO revolving
who became conversant with it. and that proof
was submitted to that effect, not only before
the returning board in the evidence contained
in executive document No. 2, second session,
44th Congress, but also the testimony taken by
the committee of the Senate on privileges and
elections report No. FOL, second session of the
44th Congress. l will if allowed, furnish the
names of witnesses whom desire to, examine
before you, to prove the truth of this state
ment to said parishes and the protests re-
ferred to were true, supported by testimony
and properly acted on and sustained by the re-
turning board.
Tony personal conduct during this exami-
nation invite your fair and candid scrutiny
with entire confidence that not only myself,
but my associates of both political parties
acted honestly and properly from sense OF
public duty.
have requested the Hon. Samuel Shella-
barger to deliver this to you and I respectfully
designate him as the gentleman would desire
on my part to cross-examine witnesses testify
ing in relation to the charges against me, and
who will, as my counsel tender evidence in
proof of this statement. The favor of an
early reply is requested. Very respectfully,
JOHN SHERMAN.