The Morning herald., 1878-06-03
THE LOULSIANA INTERROGATION

THE LOUISIANAf INTERROGATION,
The examination of James e. Anderson,
on Saturday last, has developed facts which
render thorough investigation matter Of
imperative necessity. > ar
The first chapter of the inside secret his
tory Of the great fraud of 1876 was in part
written when the examination of James E.
Anderson, closed on Saturday evening. The
story Anderson told was new, startling,
and, If .corroborated, is destructive of the
population of at least two of the visiting
statesmen who aided and abetted the steal
of the electoral vote of Louisiana. For
seven hours Anderson was on the witness
stand, and from first to ]ast he commanded
the closest attention and the intensest in
terest of all who heard his testimony. The
Republican members of the committee, the
counsel of John Sherman, and their sym.
pathizing friends amorg the audience evinced
at, first Indifference as tie almost boyish
looking witness took the stand. By and by
as his examination progressed their attitude
and bearing changed. Their theory of de-
fense is, of course, that Anderson is a
scoundrel unworthy of belief. But what
puzzles them now is to find some way of
explaining tine remarkable interest which
Stanley Matthews and John M. Harlan, the
intimate friends of Hayes and Sherman,
have manifested in keeping this disreputable
person quiet. ,. Moreover, when John sher>
man, after aadebate, BY the committee, ap-
peared and stood face to face with Anderson
was asked to swear whether he did OF did
notz write, certain damaging letter, he
|equivocated and shrunk from denial The
fate of Coliax, evidently like the ghost of
Banquo, affrighted him.
The examination of Saturday may be
divided as follows; First-Anderson testi-
titled that. returning to New Orleans after
a peaceable election, he was asked to assent
to false and forged protest asserting the
contrary second-That he was promised
office by John Sherman If he would do this.
Third-To prove this assertion he produced
copy of letter from Sherman. Fourth
Anderson produced letters from Stanley
Matthews to show that for year past the
existence of papers he held were deemed
by all concerned ample reasoh-frst, for his
appointment to office, and later for an
intrigue to secure Darrel's appointment as
Collector at New Orleans. Fraud to elect
Hayes, promise of reward to secure &C
quiescence in the fraud, negotiations to
secure the reward promised. All this was
shown in this written, promise Sherman
does not In terms deny.
Upon the Goth of November, 1876, Ander~
son aud his co-conspirator, Webster, fearing
the Punic faith of Sherman and Matthews,
dem anded written guarantee from sher>
man to be protected and paid. The answers
ing promise came from Sherman thus -
NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 20, 1878.
Messrs. D. A. Weber and Jas. E. Anderson.
GENTLEMEN Your note of even date has
just been received. Neither Mr.. Hayes,
myself, the gentlemen who accompany me,
nor the country at large, can ever forget the
obligations 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 assum-
ing the responsibility for promises made,
and will guarantee that you will be provided
for as soon after the 4th of March as may
be practicable, and in such manner as will
enable you both to leave Louisiana should
you deem 1t necessary.
Very truly, yours, JOHN SHERMAN.
This letter, not denied, compels the Ameri-
can people to demand an Investigation and
nunish mani of the actnrs In tha fraud