Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-06-28
THE INVESTIGATION.
WASHINGTON. June IL.


Gen. Butler, as an individual member of
the Judiciary Committee, to-day gave at
great length to the House of Representatives
his reasons for dissenting from the resolution
and report of the majority in regard TO the
inYiolability of the Presidents title. He
thinks it remarkable that, in the face of the
sixth section of the act establishing the
Electoral Commission, the committee should
have come to the conclusion that the proceed
ings of the committee, or OF Congress subse-
quent thereto, constitute an immovable finali-
ty when the law itself declares to the con-
trary, and the contrary was empbatical-
ly assured by the House of Representa-
tives. Instead of constituting a finality
these proceedings were on their face and in
express terms merely a temporary ex-
pediency or device to avoid the contingency
of lapsed election for which the Constitu-
tion had made no provision. Congress, he
says, by express words of law declared that
its object and effect were provisional only.
The President entered upon his office with
the express notice that his tenure was ques-
tionable in character, of doubtful validity,
not made absolute by the interposition of the
extra constitutional commission, but to be
examined and adjudicated upon by the courts.
He agrees with the committee that Con-
gress has no power under the Constitution to
confer upon the Supreme Court of the United
States the original jurisdiction sought for in
the Blair Kimmell bill; but he says the ques-
tiOn at issue is whether the actual President
of the United States has just'and legal title
to the office. He holds a contestation upon
that question, if it were possible to be had be-
fore a court, would make a lease" which may
well enough be defined to be controversy be-
tween the contending parties under the forms
of law before court.
The committee will not meet again until
after adjournment OF Congress.
WASHINGTON, June 20.
The Potter Committee held a short meeting
to-day and agreed to continue the investiga-
tion tomorrow. It is probable Mrs. jerks
will be one of those first examined. 1t was
also decided that sub committee consisting
of Messrs. Blackburn, Stenger and Reed shall
go to New Orleans on Tuesday.
WASHINGTON, June q.
Capt T. A. jerks, of New Orleans, testified
that in 1876 he was U. 8. Deputy Marshal in
East Feliciana; the Republicans in the parish
told witness that they were afraid TO register
their names on account of intimidation; wit
ness said Anderson signed the affidavit of yio-
lence practiced at the polls and after that
tried to get the affidavit back I'm his posses.
sion; witness swore that he knew ID. A. Web
er's handwriting and that purpoTting to be
his signature to the Anderson-Weber agree
ment was not genuine.
Anderson DANES E.) was summoned before
the Matthews committee to-day, but refused
to answer any questions unless the committee
allowed him counsel to be present at the in
yestigation. witness can only be adjudged
In contempt before the bar of the Senate Ol
House, and, there being no Senate or House
now in session, the committee are powerless
Both the Potter and Matthews committee
stand on the same footing.
WASHINGTON, June %.
Capt. Thomas jerks was cross-eXamined al
length, and stated that he was positive ht
never heard of the so-called Sherman lette
until 1t was mentioned by Sherman-h'
| thought JAN @. Witness stated that his wifi,
| came to Washington at the instance of Gov
| Kellogg. Witness paid his wifes expenses
| Witness stated that he had never authorized
his wife to pay Weber anything TO produce thu
| Sherman letter; she had told him that tn,
statement that she held the letter was false.
Mrs. jerks, wife of the previous witness
testified that Anderson had written her from
Philadelphia in relation to the doeumen
| which she termed the Sherman letter, but shl
knew nothing of the document until last Jan
uary; then he wrote to her for the documen
the "dead-beats' who came to Louisiana Il
see a fair count had given him; she supposed
he referred TO the McVeigh commission; sh
| knew there was a document said 10 exist a
that time; no one gave 1t TO her; just lifted
of table; believed there were several Of tn
visiting statesmen present In Parlor p, at tn
st. Charles Hotel, New Orleans, discussing
the Returning Board when she picked II up
gave IL TO Daniel Weber; the latter gave her
note TO be taken to Sherman; witness said:
wish to state, in the presence of this angus
committee, and to the country at large, that
distinctly and entirely eXonerate Mr.. SecTetar
sherman from any completely, direct or indirect
in the so-ealled AndersOn-Weber guaranty.
there is criminality in the document or pOlitica
dishonor attached 70 it, alone know the Alph
and Omega of IL. No one else knows aught i
regard to it, and do not think shall tell yO
anything more. Ii il suiiici ent that exonerat
MIR; Secretary sherman, and also MIR, Anderson
and although may deem him (Anderson) on
of the most magnificent and sublime scdundrel
at least in the matter of the guaranty, he hl
been sincere, and | accord him all due meri
He has always deemed it genuine, and this ma
be small ray of light admitted into the daTl
ness that surrounds him. No one knows abOI
that document but myself, and do not thin
that am compelled to tell you gentlemen al
more
Witness said she met Weber, who said /
was satisfied, but Anderson was not, aud |
wanted the guaranty that he would be take
! care of; witness at Weber's request took Il