The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-08-14
POTTER COMMITTEE.
OF w. Nh. ROBERTS
SOME INTERESTING TESTIMONY.
HHlHcOCk Objects tn Anything duplicating
Mayes-Hmtler, HsOwever, is i'm Search
nf HH q EEnMssmIency.


NEW YohK, Aug. 1a..,The Potter committ9e
Roberts, of the New Orleans Times, tho first
Witness conlidentially believed that Nichols
and Tilden carried the State Of Louisiana.
In either 1866 or 1868, Mr.. Hayes Or Gov.
Hayes, or Gen. Hayes came down to Now
Orleans for the purpose OF looking into the
cause Of riots. He WAS u good shot and q
good tsalkor; He circulated freely about, and
made friends for his party: He did not seem
Witness knew Charles Foster, Of Ohio, and
spoke Of him as truthfulsman, and one who
dared to give expression to his opinions.
Witness WAS then asked about the course
attitude OF Gov Hayes towards the State gov
ernment OF Louisiana. He said that, as q
newspaper representative and Us q man who
was not actively engaged in politics, he was
selected Us the man to go to Ohio to ascertain
the views Of Hayes, and what policy he would
adopt in case Of his election to the presidency
Witness proceeded to Ohio some time before
the Returning Board met. and was about stat
ing the result Of the conversation he had with
Mr.. HGistead who gave him u sealed letter to
Mr. Hayes, when he was interrupted by Mr..
Hiscock who objected to questions and an~
swers that would be throwing mud upon the
President
Mr.. Butler said that his question to witness
was u plain one, and that he had merely
asked him to state. Us nearly rs he could, the
result of his interviews with Mr.. Hnlstead,
editor Of the Cincinnati Commercial, and he
did not see how that was throwing mud on
the President, by detailing exactly what WAS
said and done. In regard to this investiga-
tion, he thought they should go into the
leDgth and breadth Of it. We are here to as
certain il Mr.. Hayes was elected by d fair
count. He said 1t was shown In evidence that
Nichols had received about 10000 more votes
than Hayes, and Packard had received 50
many votes over Hayes, and yet we have the
wonderful result that the country already
knows.
Gen. Butler also spoke of the vote that had
been given in South Carolina, and said All
this seems very strange Many persons have
seen where the lightning has struck, but
scarcely any one has seen the lightning strike
twice in the same place. Such d phenomenon
would surely have got into the newspapers.
He snw no objection to the question, as no
Electoral Commission was then thought Of.
Mr.. Hiscock intimated that Butler was en-
deayoring to show that forgery had been
committed, and argued that such evidence
was sought to be obtained witha view to con-
meet the President Of the United States with |
the forgery, and looking to his impeachment. |
He thought they should not step outside the |
letter Of the resolution.
After some further discussion the chairman |
said that he saw no objection to the question. |
Witness then detailed at length his inter- |
view with Mr.. Halstead, and his subsequent |
interviews with Coy. Hayes and Mr.. Lamar.
Witness told Mr.. Hayes he had come on with |
the purpose Of learning his views In regard |
to the South and what policy he would |
adopt in event of his being counted in as
President.
In conversation Ha1stead told him that |
everything that could be done would be done |
to save the State, remarking to him that !
whatever horse loses, our horse wins" Wit |
ness also told him that whatever cargo they |
threw out would be OF the least value.
Halstead told witness that Hayes was q
good fellow. He meant to do right towards
the South.
Witness told Halstead he had come there
or. purpose to find that out. Witness de-
tailed further conversation had with Hal
stead, and then spoke Of his visit to Gov.
Hayes. with the letter Of introduction from
Hhlstead, which letter was sealed, and OF the
contents of which he was ignorant His in
tervteW with Gov. Hayes was Of an exceed
ingly pleasant character, and he learned that |
the Governor entertained the most friendly |
feelings toward the South.
Witness told him that the State must be |
5hvtd Democrats 1T vi hazards and
that whatever they threw overheard in that |
respect would be OF the least value to them
He told the Governor that they could estab- |
lsh and show majority Of 10000 votes.
Toy. Hayes told witness that he had no de-
fairly. He spoke kindly Of the South. Wit |
ness then proceeded to detail at length the |
conversations he had at various times before |
the matter was definitely settled with Mr.. |
Lamar and others
Witness said that from his conversations
with various Republican leaders he under
stood that IL Louisiana and South Carolina
were counted In for Hayes, the government OF |
those States ould be given to the Democrats.
They acted on this assurance and the as
were carried out.
Gen. Butler observed that such assurances
looked much in the same nature as a bar
gain.
In the course Of further evidence witness
said that he was offered the position Of naval |
officer, but he recommended that 1t be given q
s'nigger." He would not take any such posi-
tion, where he would be obliged TO take care
Of Kenner, OF the Returning Board.