The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-07-04
POTTER'S FIELD.
WEBER TELLS ALL ABOUT 1T. AND
FAsTENs THE CROWD.
sherman, the visiting statesmen, Shell
don, Marks and All the Rest
Take n Hand.

WASHINGTON, July 3.--The Potter commit
tee met at II o'clock to-day. Weber was
recalled and his examination continued by
Mr.. Hunton. He stated that it was under
stood that Mr.. Sherman was the leading
spirit among the visiting statesmen who were
frequently in consultation with leading Lou
isiana Republicans. The matter of the pro-
test was discussed in these conferences. Wit
ness brother filed the protest, but he hesita-
ted about letting it stand Anderson CURSED
oil the Republicans, because they insisting
on his protest matter, which he objected to.
Witness had O
CONVERSATION WITH MIR. SHERMAN
about Don Weber hesitating to let his protest
stand. Mr.. Sherman said his brothers hesi-
tation arose from the fact that the statements
In the protest we're not in accordance with
facts. Mr. Sherman told witness that If his
brother would let his protest stand he (Sher
man would protect and provide for him.
Witness repeated the statement made by him
yesterday as to seeing his brother with Mr..
Sherman on the evening of November 20, on
passing MOreaus restaurant. Witness no
ticed his brother and Anderson In eOnversa-
tiOn with Mr.. Sherman, and witness brother
told witness that Sherman had renewed bis
assurance to them.
Witness had the Sherman letter in his hand
1t was written on double sheet of note paper
and completed on the third page; the second
was blank Weber stated that the returns
from East and West Felicana were opened
visiting statesmen and leading Republicans,
In fact, everybody understood from common
report within three days after that the Re-
publicans had been beaten according to the
statements published In the newspapers;
that the State had gone for Nichols by from
10000 to 10000 majority, and for the Tilden
electors by 5000 majority. In conference Of
the visiting statesmen these matters were
discussed and plans as to destroying the
Democratic majority were discussed.
Packard, Kellogg and other leaders deter
mined, prior to the election, to throw out
East and West Feliciana, and they were sub
sequently encouraged by the visiting states
men to carry out their scheme Witness was
told by Packard, Kellogg and Anderson that
Ii he would influence his brother to protest
against West FelGiana he would be returned
to the State Senate, although he WAS defeated
by 1900 Democratic majority. The Return
ing Board returned witness elected by 600 or
700 majority, according to witness best
knowledge. There was no reason for throw
ing out the parishes OF East and West Fell
Ciana. If @ proper canvass had been made
witness is confident he could have been elect
ed. Witness submitted letter written by L..
3. jerks, in which the latter assures Tim that
he has
FIXED THINGS ALL SAFE.
Witness stated that the Republicans told him
they had had difficulty in keeping j. r. An
derson away from East Feiclana, inasmuCh
as the programme was to hold no election at
IL.
given him (Jenks) money to get Anderson
drunk and keep him away from East Fell
ciana. Witness stated that he understood
Eliza Pinkston was interviewed by Sherman
before being brought before the Returning
Board. He heard some OF the visiting states
men converse about it, and from their con-
versation it is the witness best knowledge
and belief that they understood it was q put
up job to influence the Visiting statesmen aud
persons all over the North Witness had seen
ta uff gf n fTy ha Mnrky
York Herald, and to his best knowledge and
belief the facts therein stated are true
Weber related the circumstances OF Mrs.
jerks visit to Mrs. Weber, as told him by his
sister. In that connection he submitted q
letter from Gen. Sheldon to her as follows:
"NEw ORLEANS, May 6, 1878.
"Madan1- investigation Is about to
commence in Washington under the Potter
resolution. It is deemed, too, important to
have you there as q witness at once. Mrs.
jerks will bear this to you and explain affairs
to you' Very respectfully st,rrnou
Madam D. A. Weber, Donaldso uville. La
Mrs. jerks told Mrs. Weber that Gen.
Sheldon wanted her to come to New Orleans
and make an affidavit denying that she knew
anything about the Sherman letter. Mrs
Weber said she would not go until called
threatened to send the Sergeant-at-Arms II
Mrs. Weber should not go with her. At this
time brother Of Mrs. Weber came up and
asked her what that communicating to
Mrs. Jenks- was doing there again, and
wanted to know whether she was after that
letter again. Mrs. Weber said she did not
want him to meddle with her affairs she had
the letter and knew what to do with it. Wit
ness at that time had not told his sister-in-
law he had found the letter and destroyed it.
In the summer Of 1877 Mrs. jerks had made a
visit to Donaldsonville and offered
MONEY FOR THE SHERMAN LETTER,
which she said she knew to be in existence.
She never limited at such thing as being re-
sponsible for it's authorship. 1t was after
this visit OF Mrs. jerks that witness looked
In speaking Of the letter, said it was valua-
BILE document, and she could make thousands
Of dollars out of it. She spoke of 1t as a
guarantee given by Sherman to Weber and
Anderson, to protect them and give them
Office in case they let their protest stand.
The witness submitted letter to himself
from Morris Marks, now collector OF internal
revenue at New Orleans, dated Washington,
ID. c., May "a, 1878, offering witness a govern
ment position, and reply declining the po-
light. Witness construed it as an intention
that he should be provided for If he would
come to Washington and testify on the right
order Of the question.
Witness said since his arrival here he has
been approached by several persons con-
nected with the government, among them j.
H Harris and Hustled, the latter of whom
invited him to private interview with Sec
retary Sherman and told him the Secretary
was very kindly disposed towards him. AS
witness considered these approaches made
were with view to influence his testimony
before this committee, he gave no encourage
ment. Thos FL. jerks also approached wit
ness with an intimation as to obtaining Office
by testifying
ON THE RIGHT SIDE,
but witness gave him the cold shoulder. At
this point the witness was informed that his
further examination would be continued in
New Orleans, where he is to report to Gov.
Cox on July 10.
The committee at 1 As p. m. adjourned till
Wednesday, July 10.