Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-07-26
THE POTTER INVESTIGATION.


olely at the request Of the President. So
IT as he knew the republican visitors at
tanned from attempting to influence the
board. The witness did not hear
Anderson or Weber while in louisiana,
or Of their alleged dealings with Sher-
ian. The witness was very intimate with
herman and thought he would have learn
r of there had nsen any letter from Sher-
nan t. Weber and Anderson.
Representative Danford was recalled and
zamined concerning his course as mem
er of the subcommittee that visited Louis
aua. lie said the only differences between
he votes for Packard and for Hayes was
hat Packard in Naichitoches received two
IT three hundred votes more than Hayes.
Ez-Congressman CIPHER, of New Orleans,
esti6ed that at the time the republicans
1isited Louisiana he met D. A Weber. su-
oervisor or elections. Weber asked, Gan
take the promises OF the gentlemen who
ire here to provide for me if an driven out
IF my parish ?" Witness replied, Whom
10 you mean" Weber mentioned
Matthews and Sherman. especially. The
witness said, These gentlemen stand very
closely to the incoming President, and per-
sonally and politically, and l think you can
trust them" Weber remarked tina. he had
been deceived good many times, and as
he did not feel ike taking any mans verbal
promise, he would demand promise in
writing The witness said that it was the
only way. The next day. the witness met
Weber who exhibited letter which the wit
ness read and then returned to Weber. Weber
made no special remark, but appeared
pleased with the letter which purported to
be signed by John Sherman. He had seer
Sherman's handwriting. He could not tes-
tify the letter was in Sherman's handwrit-
ing, but there was nothing to make him
think it was not his handwriting. He pre-
sumed it was his He could not give the
purport. but the published letter, the
original of which ae hastily read, seemed
correct. Hiscock closed, and
the witness, who thought
the body Of the letter and signature were in
the same handwriting. He had seen the
official signature of Sherman, bat could not
name any particular document. nor would
he swear that the signature to the letter
Weber had shown was genuine. That suss-
tion did not enter into his mind, The let
ter was written on note paper lie hrst
mentioned such letter to his brother In
Louisiana. He also mentioned the fact to
Judge Shellabarger two weeks ago. Wit
ness was asked whether he did not know
that another brother-J. K. CIPHER.
here present. the legal advisor OF
James E. Anderson. Witness said he knew
this only from newspaper report. Wit
ness said Weber did not state for what pur-
pose the letter was given. Secretary Sher-
man testified that he was invited by Presi-
dent Grant to go to New Orleans. On his
way he stopped at Columbus and
saw Hayes. His conversation with
HAYES was general about the election
Sherman stated in regard to the printed
proposition made to the visiting republicans
by the democratic visitors, that the formers
response was that they could not Interfere
with the count, and were there simply as
witnesses Of the count. The further exam
nation Of Sherman was postponed till to-
morrow.
After some discussion it was decided that
the subcommittee in New Orleans should
suspend its sittings, and that certain i'm
portant witnesses whom Butler wantsd ex-
amiued in New Orlans should he summoned
to Atlantic City
The SUBCOMMITTEE At NEW ORLEANS.
New ORLEANS, July 24.-Judge R. Whit
sker and John Douglass testified regarding
the signatures on the second set OF electoral
certificates, that in two cases the name OF
Joseph was written prior to that OF Sheldon
and in one case the name of Sheldon prior
| to that of Joseph. They also testified as to
the signature CT Thomas Kelly on the letter
received BY the committee from Lake ProVi-
dsnce.
Judge Homsher testified that be left New
Orleans for Doualdsonville, Dec. 9th, 1876,
leaving Judge Morris Marks in Nsw Or
leans. This testimony was introduced to
show that Marks was in the city on the
day the Sc cord set of electoral certificates
were signed.
Thomas Nolan testified that in 1870 ne
| assisted in the preparation of afhiaviss in
| the custom house He was in lberTille dur
| ing the election. Allan brought tickets
up there. The names of tTe electors had
been left off. He slid it made no differ
euce as they were for the state at large.
Talked to Kellogg Packard and Dibbls
about it, three or four days
after the election. They said We
should lose the state by it. One
or two parishes on tho Red River were in
the same fix. Judge Campbell said the re
turning board would have to throw out
democratic votes enough to equalizs that
action. In preparing afhdsyits he made
them as strong as possible. He always en-
deavored to make fair statement of the
testimony of witnesses. bat instead
of making witness say he had
heard, he made him say he knew OF
allegations made. Found very few had
personal knowledge of occurrences. We
all. at home, somehow fell into the same
net in drawing up sfhiavits. Was intro
duced to Hale. SDughton and Garfield .
They were in the room where the afhdssits
were being made. They seemed interested
in the work going on. They kept copies OF
sfbdayits. Saw Mr.. Garfield nearly every
morning. Saw Sherman in COckrell's ofhce.
Stoughton was up in the surveyor 3 ONCE
where be was taking afidayits for Red River
parish. Three or four witnesses were sworn
together. never took any pains 70 read
over the affisvits to witnesses. They
wers generally told the afhdavits would
never be published. Ii was the understand
ing in republican circles that the state had
gone democratic and they must by afhdavits
and protests make case for the returning
board to throw out polls enough to reverse
the result.
Wesley jackson, (colored) lived IN Bayou
Sara during the last election. lie Joined
the Sage Hill club at the instance OF
Gilbert Carter. He was fresh, and didn' t
know until after tho second meeting what
the objects OF the meeting were Then
Gilbert Carter told me they wanted to Kill
certain white folks. After that didn s
attend any more meetings. The club
lasted about two weeks. When Car
tar was killed most of US
left the parish Nobody but Carter told
! me what the club was for. Witness gave
the names of number Of members of the
club. saw white men riding in the road,
but they never pestered me.
Judge Kennard testified, giving an &C
count of the organization of the democrats