Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-05-29
the HOUSE
Votes to Extend the Potter
Investigation Around
PrOmisc0usly,
But Kill a Resolution Not to Med.
die With the Presidents
Title.
Secretary Sherman on the Louis
lana Election.
A sharp Eplstie to Sammy's Man
pottef-The Secretary Demands
to be Roprosonted by Counsel
Tho oommittoo Not Yet
Organized.
WASHINGTON.

w AShANUAONS NAoJ <AsAS0 ~ CeOAto'
tive Potter has been in consultation
with several members Of the Florida
and Louisiana investigation commit
tee. He says he cannot yet tell when
the committee will organize for bust.
ness. but perhaps tomorrow. Pot
ter has not yet received any commu-
nication from Sec. Sherman to the
committee with reference to the in
vestigation.
SECRETARY SHERMAN TO CLARKsoN
POTTER.
The following is the letter from
Secretary Sherman to Clarkson N.
Potter:
May 20. 1S7S.-Sir: l observe that
the resolution of the house under
which your committee is organized,
singles me out personally by name
from among twenty or more gentle
men, who were present, at the re-
quest of President Grant or the chair
man of the democratic national COM
mittee, to attend and witness the ac-
tion of the returning board upon the
presidential returns in the state of
Louisiana. "The republican vote was
withheld, and not cast, in pursuance
and in execution of q conspiracy by
such voters. That in furtherance Of
sucS conspiracy, James E. Anderson
supervisor of registration in East
Feilcisns, and D. A. Weber supervis-
or of registration in West Feliciana,
falsely protested that said election
in such parishes had not been free
and fair, and that thereupon the re-
turning board of said State falsely
and fraudulently excluded the votes
of said precincts, and by means there
of, and of other false and fraudulent
action of said returning board, the
choice Of the people of the state was
annulled and reversed and that such
action by the said Weber and Ander-
son, was induced or encouraged by
the assurances of Hon. John Sher-
man, now secretary of the treasury"
This resolution requires you to inves-
tigate three allegations, and upon the
truth of these depends the accusation
against me, viz:
First, that there was a conspiracy
among the voters to withhold and not
cast the votes, with view to make a
false charge as to the election. Sec
ond, that in point of fact there was q
free and fair election in East and West
Feliciana, which was falsely protes.
ted and returned by said Anderson
and Weber, by which the votes of
these parishes were falsely and fraud
ulently excluded by the returning
board. Third, that the offense of An
derson and Weber was encouraged
by assurances from me. With . view,
therefore, to meet this accusation,
which, SO far as it affects me, / declare
and know IL to be absolutely destitute
of even . shadow oftruth. l respect
fully ask, and now make formal ap-
plication for leave to be represented
before your committee by counsel in
the investigation of all charges affect
ing myself personally. l tender and
offer to prove that in point of fact the
election in the East and West
Feliciana parishes was governed
and controlled by force, violence
and intimidation so revolving as
to excite the common in
dignation of all who became CONVEX
SAINT with it, and that proof was SUBJ
mitted to that effect, not only before
the returning board, in the evidence
contained in executive document No.
2, second session of the forty-fourth
congress, but also in the testimony
taken by the committee of the senate
on privileges and elections, report
No. 7Ol, second session Of the forty
fourth congress. l will, if allowed,
furnish the names of witnesses whom
l desire to examine before you to
prove the truth of this statement as
TO said parishes, and that the protests
referred to were true, supported by
the testimony, and properly acted up
on and sustained by the returning
board. To my personal conduct dur
ing the examination / invite your
fair and candid scrutiny, with entire
confidence that not only myself but
my associates Of both political par
ties, acted honestly and properly,
from sense of public duty. 1 have
requested Honorable Samuel Shella-
barger to deliver this to you, and l
respectfully designate him as the gem
tlemsn l would desire, on my part, to
be present, to cross examine witnesses
testifying in relation to charges
against me, and who will, as my
counsel, tender proof of this state
ment. The favor of An early answer
is requested. Very respectfully,
(Signed) JOHN SHERMAN.