River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-06-27
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
Investigating the Election OF Is7e Under
the Potter observation-disclosures n. An
derson and secretary Sherman ON The
stand.


Investigating the Election OF Is7e Under
the Potter observation-disclosures n. An
derson and secretary Sherman ON The
stand.
FRIDAY, June 21.-The Potter invest
eating committee held a session. Thomas A
jerks, of New Orleans, was put upon the
stand. Republicans in the parish had told
witness they We're afraid TO register their
names on account of intimidation. Nc Mahon
interrupted the witness. He asked if he had
been called in Senator Sherman's interest.
Reed replied he had. A long and acrlmon-
GUS controversy between Mcmahon ensued.
Reed complained that the majority OF the
committee ruled out testimony offered by the
minority Mcmahon pronounced the charge
false and challenged proof jerks was per-
mitted to proceed, when Mcmahon again OBJ
ieeted, and another angry discussion followed.
jerks finally testified, re-tells the old story OF
intimidation. He testified largely as to The
course and conduct of James E. Anderson.
Witness testified as to what he knew about
the so-called Sherman letter. He never saw
letter written by Sherman written to any
one about the election of 1876. The witness
was subjected to a severe cross examination,
and without concluding the committee ad-
burned.
SATURDAY June 22.-The Potter COM
mittee resumed its sessions to-day. Capt.
Thomas jerks was further cross-examined
when Mrs. jerks, his wife was put upon the
stand and admitted to long cross examina.
ti0n touching the now famous so-called
sherman letter. and in regard to guarantees
demanded by j. E. Anderson. She said And
erson wanted to be taken care Of. The witness
exonerated secretary Sherman from an COM
plicity, direct or indirect, in the so-called And
erson- Weber guaranty She testified to let
ter being written (inferentally at leastb by her
self in The St. Charles hotel at New Orleans
when the visiting statesmen were present,
l ~. /.
addressed to Weber and Anderson. She her
self delivered the letter to Weber. By the
testimony of the witness the letter could
not have been in Sherman's hand writ
ing. The following is perhaps, the
most solient part is her testimony:
Witness--Well wish to state in the presence
of this august committee and to the country
at large. that 1 distinctly and entirely exoner-
| ate Mr.. Secretary Sherman from any compile
ity direct or indirect in the so-called Ander-
sony Weber guaranty. If there is crimiaality
in the document or political dishonor attach
ed to it, l alone know the alpha and omega OF
it. No one else knows aught in regard 10 it.
| and do not think shall tell you anything
more. 1t is sufficient that exonerate Mr.
Secretary Sherman, and also Mr.. Anderson
and although l may deem him (Anderson)
one of the most magnificent and sublime
seoundrels, at least in the matter of the guar.
anty he has been sincere, and award him all
and this may be a small ray of light admitted
inqo the darkness that surrounds him. No
one knows about that document but myself
and / do not think am compelled 10 tell you
gentlemen, any more. Several letters were
read during her examination, among them q
letter from Anderson to her husband. guaran
teeng thousand dollars for the production
of the so-called Sherman letter.
MONDAY, June "a. The Potter committed
resumed its investigation. Mrs. jerks on the
witness stand. A long examination ensued
in which lively scenes ensued. Some ques
lions the witness answered, some she refused
to answer. In referring to the so-called
Sherman letter she said, 81 dictated the con.
tents of the letter" In reply to the question
who wrote at her dictation she said; Il refuse
to tell you.n Tie result of the examination
was, that Sherman never saw the letter; thai
it was gotten up to quiet Sherman and Weber
In the afternoon Gen. III. V. Boynton special
Washington correspondent of the Cincinnati
Gazette was called To the witness stand, anC
was examined as TO his interviews with the
President touching the appointment of An
derson to office; as to whett err the President
gave as a reason for such appointment, thai
| Anderson bad important secrets that it would
| be damaging to make known, and he must bt
controlled The witness denied that the
President ever gave such reasons. Some an
Gen Butler, and witness said ifthe COMMITTEES
did not protect him, he would protect himself
He denounced Butler as rowdy. The com
mittee went into secret session, and shortly
afterwards adjourned until Tuesday.