The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-06-26
Another Contest with Mrs. jerks.
Dipping into the Louisiana Conn
mission.
Ex-Marshal Pitkin Shows up Anderson.

ington. Mrs Weber had told her that Mr.
Anderson had said that she (Mrs Jenks) had
received about $4,000 for certain documents,
and appeared to be somewhat hurt because she
had received no portion Of the money.
Mrs. jerks, however, notified the lady that
she never received any money. General Shell
don had requested the witness to visit Mrs.
Weber with view to having her come to Wash.
ington.
Mr.. Springer-What was the object of having
Mrs. Weber come to New Orleans?
Al do not know, any more than that Mr..
Sheldon desired to see her.
Mr.. Springer-Is it not fact that that Shell
don wanted Mrs. Weber to come to New Or
leans and make an aft iavt to the effect that
there was no such document as the so-called
Sherman letter 10 existence?
A-No sir, you are entirely mistaken about
that.
Mr.. Springer-Do you know Colonel Otis,
who boarded in the same house with you while
you were on your visit to Washington?
A-No sir, do not know him.
Mr.. Springer then returned to the d onaldson-
vile visit, and inquired if she received any 9th
er consideration from Gen. Sheldon excepting
her actual expenses. u
Witness-(very sharply. No sir, aud it was
not four dollars You need not distress your
Inc witness continuing said that Mrs. Weber
had received no intimation from her as to the
reason her presence was esired 10 New Or.
leans or Washington, and that she (Mrs.
Jenks) never inquired why Sheldon desired to
see her.
The witness was then asked by the chairman
If she would produce the letters desired to-
morrow morning if they arrived, to which she
replied, "Oh, yes if they arrive will produce
them"
She was then excused.
HI. ". Boynton Recalled.
81. " Boynton was recalled, and after maxi
ing some verbal corrections in his testimony of
yesterday, among which was the statement
that the President never during conversation
gave him to understand that Anderson was in
possession of political secrets, but that he
(BOyntOn) derived that impression from what
he had read in the newspapers was asked
by General Butler if he ever had an interview
with any one in Washington regarding ths
Anderson affair. in which he had stated that
the President had to appoint Anderson and
others connected with dirty work in Louisiana,
in order to keep their mouths closed.
The witness replied that he never talked of
the matter in that way to any one.
La reply to question by Mr.. Cox, he testi-
fed that Cowley was present during the con-
versation with the President and heard all that
transpired, including the Anderson matter.
In reply to further questions by Butler, the
witHesS stated that he was in Washington
when the McVeagh commission was appointed,
and had conversation with Hawley and Har-
Ian before they left for New Orleans and after
they returned
Mr.. Butler requested the witness to state as
nearly as he could all the conversation which
transpired between him and these gentlemen
concerning the Louisiana commission.
The witness replied that he had no conversa-
ton other than regular newspaper work, and
said that he would be pleased to answer any
particular question Mr. Butler may ask.
Mr.. Butler-Was there anything said re-
garding Harlan's candidacy tor the supreme
bench?
Witness-Yes sir. Before leaving for New
Orleans Harlan asked me to ascertain if l
could as favor to him whether Bristow was a
candidate forthe supreme bench. and if 90, he
did not wish to stand in Bristow's way and
that he thought If he went to New Orleans he
could aid in the settlement of the present au-
noying state of affairs. He thought that the
transaction would help him to seat. That is
all about the matter excepting that l promised
to try to comply with the request. The CONVEX
sation after Harlan's return from New Orleans
was in Boynton's office. Boynton said he had
been unable to find out definitely from Mr..
Brlstow personally or his intimate friends, but
tnat 1t was believed by some of his friends that
he would accept the position we're rendered
him. Mr.. Harlan replied in effect that he
(Harlan) would be candidate for the posi-
ton.
Boynton testified he conversed with Mr. Har-
Ian regarding Louisiana matters, mentioning
to Harlan at the time that the members of bis
committee would have to prepare for an inves-
tigation, as Buffers friends in Washington
were saying that he was not satisfied with the
result of the investigation, and there was a
charge that some SIS, 900 or $4,000 were used
in putting the Nichols government on its
feet.
Mr.. Butler desired to know who his friends
were that made such q statement.
Al can't name them. The fact was pub
lished as | have stated it at the time.
"A long discussion ensued between Butler and
Boynton relative to the conversation re garding
the alleged expenditure of money in Louisiana.
at the conclusion of which Boynton was ex-
cused.
Testimony of Marshal PitIkin.
Marshal Pitkin was examined by Cox and
testified that he had conversed with James e.
Anderson on the subject of the protest of the
parish OF East Feliclana and he desired to read
prepared statement in regard to the matter.
After some discussion it was decided to permit
the statement to be read as part of his sworn
testimony, which was to the effect that Ander-
son swore to the first protest in his (PtkiG's J
presence. The second protest made by Ander-
son Dever existed to the knowledge of witness,
aud the third protest, a very lengthy docu-
ment, was handed to Pitkin by Anderson, duly
sworn and to the best of his recollection there
were no blanks in the document as Anderson
has sworn had been filed by parties unknown
to him.
Pitkin thought it very probable that the third
protest had been framed by Anderson while
drunk. he iPitkin) in his statement chal-
ienged any one to state he ever attempted to
persuade Anderson to do anything contrary to
law. de thought it very probable he had men,
toned to Anderson if he could do so conscien-
tiously it wonld be well to make a protest, he
lPltkln) being presumably aware that the con-
dition of affairs in East Feliciana was not al
together pacific. The statement ia very yolum-
lnous and referred also to conversations had
with Anderson in Wizards Hotel touching
various conversations between that gentleman
and Matthews.
At the conclusion of the statement Mr.. But-
Ter inquired of Pitkin whether he at anv
til time asked Thomas jerks anything relating to
the Sherman letter to which he replied il was
very likely he did so. He never had seen
copy of the Sherman letter. He had saen an
article IN q New Orleans newspaper announcing
mrs. jerks had q Photographic COPY of the
sherman letter and upon showing her the
arlicie sne laughed and remarked, "How little
newspapers know"
Pltkin then addressed some further INQUIRY
regarding the letter and Mrs. jerks REPLIED
that the letter never left New Orleans. When
ever ne mentioned the letter at all he men.
toned it as the Sherman le ter He did NOT
not think Mrs. jerks spoke of it as the Sher-
man letter.
MacMahon-Did you ever meet Anderson in
Philadelphia? -
Ayes sir, once.
Q.-Dld you 60 to zee bin?
A.-Well do not think so. in fact [ never
was in the North American office in NV life.
Q-Do you remember an interview with
Senator Conkling with regard to Anderson's
protest?
Ayes sir, have had several conversations
with Senator Conkling.
Q-Sypher was present at the interview in
question was he not?
A Yes sir.
Q-Didn't Sypher explain the circumstances
connected with the Anderson protest?
Ayes sir. Sypher gave the history of the
case. Much of the case was new to Conkling
as well as myself
.Q-When Conkling asked YOU about the
blanks IN the protest what did you reply?
Al think I replied in substance the same
as have today in my prepared statement. that
L mad no knowledge of the existence of anv
blanks in the protest
Odd Sypher have Matthews letters with
him at this interview?
them. p''oA VI
witness then stated there were not MANY If
any Democratic witnesses examined during the
House investigation, aud further he stated that
ment e''o
Pitkin testified that he had had a yery i'm.
portant interview with Anderson in JULY 1877
Two or three days after my reaching Washipg-
ton ne accosted me in front of Willard's Hotel
and said that having seen my arrival announced
ne had run down from Philadelphia to see me
| was surprised, both at his friendly manner
\ nIOnr