The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-06-07
To Correspond ents.
The Investigation Commenced.

eminent Republicans as Secretary Sherman,
Senator Stanley Matthews, Associate Justice
Harlan, ex Governor Kellogg and others
The first witness examined was James E.
Anderson, late Supervisor of Registration in
East Felciana Parish, Louisiana. He testi-
fled that the forms Of law were fully compli-
cd with in his parish, and his return of the
election was accompanied by no protests of
intimidation or unfairness. This did not
suit the views of the Republican leaders, and
upon their persuasion lie did sign several
papers, prepared for him, one of which stated
that he did not protest for fear of his life
This was so, for had the people of his parish
thought that he was going to cheat them out
of their hard-earned victory they would have
hung him. This paper, with Others purport-
ing to be signed by him, but which lie declares
were forgeries, provided the excuse upon
which the Returning Board threw out the
large Democratic majority in East Feliciana,
and gave majority for Hayes.
The most interesting feature of his testi-
moAy relates to the connection of Hon. John
Sherman, Secretary Of the Treasury, with the
scandalous affair. Anderson testified that in
company with d. A. Weber, supervisor of
West Feliciana, since dead, he called upon
Sherman, in New Orleans, and the latter
begged them to stand firm in the matter, and
let it run along and they would find no cause
to regret it. Not being satisfied with sher-
Il hat thai ali txr
would be rewarded, they addressed him let
ter asking for written promise of protec-
ton and pay.
The following is given as Secretary Sher-
mans reply to this demand:
NEW ORLEANS, November goth, 1876.
Messrs d. A. Weber and j. e. anderson:
GENTLEMEN Your note of even date has
Just been received. Neither Mr.. Hayes, my
self, the gentlemen who accompany me, nor
the country at large, can ever forget the obi
cations under which you will have placed us,
should you stand firm in the position you
have taken.
From long and intimate acquaintance
with Gov. Hayes, am justified in assuming
the responsibility for promises made and will
guarantee that you will be provided for as
soon after the 4th of March as may be practi-
cable, and in such manner as will enable you
both to leave Louisiana should you deem it
necessary. Very truly, yours,
JOHN SHERMAN.
Before the letter was read, Secretary Sher-
man was placed upon the stand, and in answer
to an enquiry as to whether lie ever wrote
such letter, he made an evasive and shuffling
reply, unlike his bold denial last February.
Just here we may remark that the Secretary's
memory must be very weak, if he could not
remember distinctly whether or not he had
written such an important letter. Besides, if
he was perfectly conscious that his operations
in Louisiana were fair and beyond the suspi-
cion OF evil, he would have Indignantly denied
the authorship of the letter. As 1t is, it ap-
peared as though he feared the original might
suddenly be produced to his confusion. The
irresistible inference is that he did take part
in plot to steal the electoral votes of Louis
lana for Hayes. He must make his inno-
cence appear by stronger proofthan hestatng
denials
The plot succeeded. Hayes was inaugura-
ted, and Anderson hastened to claim his re-
ward. Armed with letters Of introduction
and recommendation lie called on President
Hayes and asked for consulship. Hayes read
his letters carefully and then gave him the
following note to the State Department !:
"Pleasc appoint this gentleman to q consul
ship in warm climate; this is q special case.
r. B. H." He filed his application with
Secretary Evarts, and then went to see Sher-
man, to get his influence with Evarts. Sher-
man treated him with contempt and would
do nothing for him.
Anderson next operated upon Senator
Stanley Matthews. He related to him fully
the part he had taken for Hayes, and Mat.
thews, evincrg more gratitude than Sher-
man, wrote numerous letters for him, among
others one to the President. Calling upon
the President again Anderson made plain
statement, winding up with the information
to Hayes that the election in Louisiana was
II cheat Hayes started at this, and asked to
he excused from further conversation. This
ended Anderson's hunt for Office
..
jerks, of New Orleans, who, it is claimed,
his the original Sherman letter, E. F. Noyes,
minister to France, Kellogg, of Louisiana,
and Others, all of whom will be compelled to
appear before the committee and tell what
they know of the Louisiana crookedness.
On Tuesday Anderson was rigidly cross
examined by the Republican members OF the
committee. Nothing new was elected. He
adhered to his former statements, and had no
hesitation in acknowledging the guilty part
he took in the transaction.
In the Senate, ON Wednesday, Mr.. Mat
thews made an emphatic denial of any con-
nection with the frauds in the Louisiana
election. At his request special committee
of seven of his brother members of the Sen
ate, among whom is Senator Whyte, of Mary.
land, was appointed to investigate his case.
In the face of these astounding revelations
it would require lively Imagination to be-
levc otherwise than that there was vast
and well arranged conspiracy to seat Hayes,
right or wrong, and that the visiting states
men took part in the plot. Anderson's char
acter Is perhaps none Of ths best, since he
aided in the fraud for promised pay
But he is in the position Of having turned
States evidence, and ii his testimony is sub.
ported, as it doubtless will be, by documen-
tary evidence, clear case will be made out
against the consprators. Whether the final
result will be the unseating Of Hayes or not,
remains to be seen. III can be shown that
Hayes was party to the conspiracy, and af-
ter his Inauguration rewarded with office the
men who were mainly instrumental in car
rying the fraud through, he will surely be
impeached and degraded. Whether lie Is or