The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-07-30
THE FRAUD HUNT.
SESSION or THE POTTER COM HETTEE
AT NEW YORK.
Testimony Of GOV. Palmer, Of Illinois
The Visiting statesmen ana their
work i'm New Orleans,


NEW YORK. July 29.-The Potter investiga-
tion committees, which adjourned ut Atlantic
City, N. j., to continue its session in this
city, met ut o'clock at Mr.. Potters office.
Mr.. Potter received telegram from Gov.
Palmer, OF Illinois, stating that he would not
be able to appear till 2 p. m, and the commit
tee adjourned to that hour.
Messrs. Potter and HisCoCk. of the commit
tee, met at 9 y. m. Gov. Palmer was first ex-
Hmined as to his connection with the army.
He then said that he was one of the Demo-
cratic visitors to New Orleans In November
and after his arrival was chosen chairman OF
the board of visitors. They met at the St.
Charles Hotel. After organization they called
upon Gov. Kellogg and had free oonversa-
tioD with him
He Kelogg) said that the apparent returns
showed that the State had gone for Tilden,
but that in consequence of intimidation five
parishes would be thrown out. and this would
gives the State to the Hayes electors.
He went TO see kenner. PinChbaCk came In
during their conference, which was quite free.
Then called on Wells, and afterwards, when
Gen. Anderson arrived, called upon him. The
conversation was quite free. Casenave and
Renner gave the same information that Gov.
Kellogg did. They knew my sym pathes for
the eolored people / gave the best advice |
could, but Mr.. Casenave, who was the most
honest man In the Returning Board, said that
with the interests of the colored people, and
that they must be kept out Of power. The
general feeling with all the parties with whom
! conyersed was feeling Of dlstrust for the
Democratic politicians.
The examination Of eg-GOv Palmer was
continued until 80 p. m. In response to
questions put by Mr. Hiscock, he said that
next to emancipation, the greatest blessing
colored people had received was their being
mustered out OF politics, which he considered
to be virtually the case. Republicans In
Louisiana had used the ColOred people as
cRtspaws to pull their chestnuts from the
fire
He found the Returning Board as partisan
that the Tllden electors in his opinion, were
fairly returned, but that IL they decided other
wise they should be supported by evidence
which would satisfy the country at large.
He believed that the Democratic party In |
Louisiana would have submitted to the |
Packard government, IL they had believed |
that II had been honestly elected, but they |
felt that they had been cheated, and would |
rather have had a Federal administration |
with military governor in charge of the
state. He had no doubt that the State atl-
thprities could readily clear up the alleged |
Eliza PinkstOn outrage, for he had satisfied |
himself on that subject.
Mr.. Potter then submitted letter written
TO Sgpher by Thos: Smith, Of Canton, Miss,
relative to Eliza Pinkston. 1t read: II have
had long interview with Eliza Plnkston, now
Eliza Pritchard, and her husband, relative to
Herald on June Q. Mr.. W. J. Mosely, on
whose place they lived, requested them to
come TO CANTOR. On reaching there they
were met hy,Justice Of the Peace Garrett and
.en4 .en4 Mr.. Hacharie of New Orleans.
she was the person who put Hayes into the
White House, and that the Radical party
should have paid her we'll He said the
Democrats controlled the country now; that
The bread and meat she ate daily, and the
and she was working belonged to Democrats,
put they were her friends II she used them
right. He asked her great many questions
about the killing OF her husband and wound
ng of herself.
She told him that the Democrats killed her
that her testimony before the Senate
committee In New Orleans was the truth.
She was not told to act as II she was suffering
and weak from her wound.
Mr.. Zacharie also asked whether she had
talked with yourself and Hon. Stanley Mat
5hews before giving her testimony. She said
she saw many great men from the North, but
lid not remember the names of any Of them.
Mr. Zacharie told her that II she would go to
New Orleans and testify for the Democrats
they would give her 5000 and see that she did
not suffer for anythin1 while she lived.
After Mr. Iacharie finished talking to her
be told Eliza that he had written down what
the had told him. and wished her to sign it,
which she did Then the justice told her to
hold up her hand and swear that the state
nent she had made was the truth. She said,
Yes"
/ read the affidavit, as published in the
Herald, TO Eliza, and she says she never
made any such statements to Mr.. Zacharie.
She does not remember having seen or talked
With yourself or Stanley Matthews, or that
she did not say she was promised $500, or any
sum Of money for her testimony. Her hus-
,and agrees with Eliza's statement as to the
Interview with Zacharie. They came to see {
ne, and asked my advise about going to New
Orleans, as Mr.. MOsely said he intended to
AXE them down in few days, but that they
Wished to avoid going with him. II
Eliza says that II she Is taken to New Orleans
s viii swear that that her &ermer statement is
he truth, and that Zacharie has attempted to
,ribe her TO tell different story. I have
written Hon. s. B. Reed, at New Orleans, the
of my interview with Eliza and
,resume he will have her summoned before S
he committee If he deems proper to do so. '
IN prompted to write you this letter that !
rou may know the truth relative to the So |
allied affidavit of Eliza Pinkston, and also I
NOW that steps are being taken by the DEM {
crats to iniure yourself and Hon. Stanley |
1atthews.
am, sir, with great respect,
HENRY r. SMITH, Postmaster. t
On motion of Mr. Hiscock, the committee ]
hen adjourned to meet in this city on August I
2, unless otherwise arranged by the chair {
nan c