The Morning herald., 1878-08-17
wAsHInGTOs LETTER.
from our Special Correspondence
WASHINGTON, D. c. Aug. 16, 1878.

lrIOu OuI ogcCAnl NOAkOopOA~oAsss
WASHINGTON, D. Co. Aug. 16, 1878.
Mr.. Roberts, Editor Of the New Orleans
Democrat" is certainly the frankest Wit.
eas, st least. that the, Potter COMMITTEES
has yst examined. On Monday, ne testi.
fed that he lift New orleans III November,
1876, before the Returning Board work was
done, to visit Governor Hayes and talk over
the affairs of Louisiana. He represented
the Democrats of the State, and his object
was to have the State Government restored
to the Dsmocrsts, even If the Presidentia
ticket must be sacrificed. In his own wordi
If they must unload any part Of the cargo
It must be the part that had least value
The men he represented cared much mort
for their local government than for any
thing else. Gey6rnor Hayes satisfied him
he says, that, If he should be inaugurated
Nichols would become Governor. he tele
graphed. his Impressions to New Orleans
and Immediately came here and repeated
the promises Of Hayes to Lamar and Others
and these promises, he thinks, are what in
duced Southern Senators and Representative
to refrain from fillibustering in Congress
General Butler examined the witness, and
his object was, of course, to establish q
'sbargain." The Generals feelings towards
the Administration are not at this time oi
the most loving description. The second
dsy of Mr.. Roberts Testimony was devoted
purity to the McVeagh Commission, and he
said 1t was we'll understood that that COM
mission was to be sent to New Orleans to
"let the Packard Government down easily
This means that Hayes, Sherman. Mat
thews, sent the McVeagh commission to
Louisiana to get rid of Packard and elevate,
Nichols, in pursuance of the terms of tie
bargain by which Southern Democrats had
helped to secure the Inauguration Of Hayes.
Mr.. Roberts speaks as one who knows and
evidently he does know. His testimony Of
yesterday, taken with that of the day be-
fore, establishes all the s'bargain" that But
Ter, VIM. E.. Chandler, or any other op-
ponent Of Mr.. Hayes can care for. Beyond
question he bsrgained his way into the
White House. This evidence leaves no
room for doubt.
Senator Thurman made good speech
he never makes any other kind-at Hamil-
ton, Ohio, on Tuesday. The Democrats are
legion who differ with him on the financial
question, but there is not one who does not
thank him for his clear exposition of the
causes which have brought on our financial
distress. Excellent Democrats believe as
Thurman does not, that there are other
means besides impeachment by which Mr..
Hayes can be turned out of the White
House, but not one of them can feel q
deeper detestation than he expresses of the
frauds bv which Hayes secured his place, or
describe 1t more eloquently. This speech,
30 admirable for its clearness, force and elo>
quence, should be sent everywhere in the
country.
Not only in the West, where the giants
are already In the field, but IN the East
also. the Fall elections promise to be holly
contested. Both the old parties realize the
Importance Of securing control of the house,
and the Nationals know that their only
hope of existence as party depends upon
the show Of strength now made.
Reports that Attorney General DeVens
win soon retire from the Cabinet, not cred
tied at first, receive attention. The fact
that Mr.. Hayes emphatically denies any
knowledge of such a probability goes q
great way towards establishing belief that
Devens Will 20. He is certainly great
deal better officer than any whom President
Grant succeeded 10 inducing to take the
Office, and is extremely popular in his De
partment and among Washingtonians gen.
orally. There are half dozen Cabine,
officers we could better spare.