River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-08-22
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

TUESDAY, Aug. 12.-The Potter 1nvesti-
ing committee resumed its deliberations.
VIM. II. Roberts, a Democratic editor of New
Orleans, was called. The witness believed
Tilden and Nichols carried Louisiana. Gen.
Butler made a strenuous effort, in cross ex-
amining the witness, to show that President
Hayes made bargain with the Democrats
to give them the State Government.
Mr.. Hiscock objecting to certain
questions put by Gen. Butler,a long discussion
ensued between them. Gen. Butler cross-ex-
amined witness as to whether he did not
understand justice and fairness to mean DEM
ocratic government. He replied Hayes made
no pledges of any kind and witness was left
to infer what these words meant. Gen. But
Ter tried to show they implied a bargain.
Witness admitted that when relating his talk
with HAYES to his friends he accompanied
the information with the statement he under
stood Louisiana was to be saved Gen. Butler
Had you any doubt that Hayes understood
he was pledging himself to you that your
State would be placed in the hands of the
Democracy If he was elected? long dis
cussion ensued between Gen. Butler and Mr..
Hiscock as to the question. Witness replied he
understood from Hayes manner and CONVEX
sation that the Nichols government would
be given a chance to establish ITSELF
WEDNESDAY, August 14.-William II.
Roberts testified rather diffusively. He told
Hayes he had clear majority of 1000 in the
State. He understood that what Hayes
meant by fairness and justice was that the
Nichols government should be recognized.
Did not hear of any forged ELECTORAL certiti-
Gates of Louisiana. Gave some account of a
| conversation with Conkling. In conversation
with several gentlemen witness remarked
that the crookedness of the returning board
of Louisiana was so bad and glarng that even
Republicans had to dis-ayow any connection
with it. Butler cross-eXamined the witness.
Other witnesses were introduced, and were
also cross-examined by Butler, with the same
general results developing confused muddle
all through, and tending to no clear elucda-
ton of any thing.
THURSDAY, Aug. 15.--The Potter COM
mittee continued its investigation. John A.
Lester was on the witness stand. He testi-
fed to about the same run of transactions as
have been brought to light with Anderson
and other Louisiana politicians. The pro-
gramme as was well understood between
Kellogg, Anderson and witness was to pre-
vent colOred Republicans from voting so that
the returning board could throw out the
whole Democratic vote of the Parish if neces-
sary. Anderson told witness he did notmean
to make protest. Kellogg said it was high
ly important to get protest out of Anderson
before Tidens emmissaries arrived and
bought him up. Witness said he was ac-
quainted with all the politicians of Louisiana
and in his judgemen they wereithe most com
submitted several letters written to him by
Anderson. Butler appeared on the scene as
usual as cross-eXa miner in chief. Witness
Witness complained of his treatment, but
against his protest he was not permitted to
explain in vindcation of himself. Potter said
they only wanted his testimony, not his vim
dicatiory explanations. Adjourned.
MONDAY, August 19.-The Potter in
vestigating committee resumed its session.
John f. Leete and his apparent insanity was,
generally discussed His wife and children
are sick with yellow fever in New Orleans,
which with the excitement of testlfying before
the committee, may have caused his tempo
rary arrangement of mind A dispatch was
received from Gov. Kellogg in Chicago, deny
ing several statements made by Leete in his
testimony, and stating that Leete had been
found for months past begging for Office and
latterly threatening and denouncing him be-
cause he did not receive one. Gen. Butler
made another drive at Stanley Matthews, for
his neglect to appear before the committee,
and they decided to report him to the House
as being in contempt. There being no wit
ness before the committee, they adjourned.