The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-02-13
SHERMAN'S LIES.
WHAT THE UNITED STATES TREAS
UHER DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT
THE RETURNING BOARD TRIAL.
A Tissue of FaIseIloosls.

=
The Associated Press dispatches containing
the Sherman interview very naturally excited
much comment in this city, whore the trial oil
Anderson took place, and where everybody
was most familiar with the subject. The
statements of Sherman ct al. naturally Gre
ated considerable comment, and those who
had been present during the trial were not
silent In their expressions OF disgust ut the
Justification of the Secretary Of the Treasury.
reporter Of the DEMOCRAT made it his
business to inquire fully into the matter from
those whose positions warranted them in
assuming full knowledge Of what transpired
from the time the complaint or information
was first filed, down to tho hour of the convio-
ton Of Gen. Anderson. The first person
called upon was the Judge who, was busy at
court. After o short delay an interview was
had.
Reporter What's the truth of Shermans
statement relative to you, Judge2
judge am not on trial, but the fact If
that as Assistant Treasurer OF the United
States / was accused of embezzlement On
that charge WIS
TRIED AND ACQUITTED.
NV securities and myself were sued civily for
an alleged deficit, and judgment was rendered
In favor of all the defendants. The cases were
tried before Judge Durell. / am not defaulter
to Tho United States. .
Rep.~-So far as your knowledge goes, was
there any difference between the prosecution
of the Returning Board and any other ordi-
nary criminal2
No. But l do not propose to waste my time
statements Of Mr.. Sherman in his recital Of
the history of the trial OF Gen. Anderson. /
will say this that believe he has had u fair
trial by an impartial jury. ! think this Is
sufficient answer.
Mr.. r. l.. Bruce, one OF the jury commits
sioners, was next met.
Reporter-Mr Bruce, as q jury commits
sioner did you make any distinction In draw
ing the panel Of jnrymen to try the members
on account of either color or politics2
Mr.. Bruce--Not at all, sir. We drew that
panel just as we draw every other, and neither
Mr. Rogers (the other commissioner nor myJ
self knew or thought anything about It, The
names were in the wheel and we drew them
out just as the law directs.
The reporter prosecuted his research
further, and taking up point by point made a,
by Mr.. Sherman, learned the truth OF the
matter to be as follows
| aMr. Sherman then said that he regarded
/ the arrest, trial and conviction OF Anderson as
u great outrage under color Of the forms Of
law"
So far MS the
| "FoRMs or LAW"
l
Electoral Commission used, and on which
| form Of law" Hayes was seated.
| SHERMAN SAYS
Anderson was not indicted, the Grand Jury
| had refused to indict him, the proceeding
against him is called an information, and is
expressly prohibited IN cases OF felony by the
constitution of the United States, and Of most
of the States, but Is provided for by the law OF
| Louisiana
This is falsehood. The regular session Of
the Superior Criminal Court lasts for eight
months and the term OF q grand iury's SER
ter the expiration Of these eight months Ii
the docket Is In that state that the court con-
siders 1t necessary that the session should be
sba of ne s91ns q s 0ns
year to sit through the month OF June after
the expiration Of the regular session, In Or
der to continue the clearing Of the docket OF
the vast accumulation Of work left
AS A LEGACY.
by the Radical administration. II was doubted
whether q new Grand Jury could be inn
paneled before the Grand Jury that had
served two months had not served the full
time OF three months. 1t was doubted whether
the Grand Jury thus impaneled could serve
a month beyond the regular session. a great
many important cases were awaiting the ac-
ton Of the Grand Jury. 1t was concluded to be
advisable to continue the term OF service OF the
Grand Jury then impaneled, and to permit
tai, to report their Investigations to
to the conclusion that parties should be prose
cuted, that they should request the court to
the Rse tcan x ha s as e
In cases not capital. This course was pursued
by the Grand Jury during the month Of June,
1877, with reference to oil cases where they
: would have presented true bills under other
circumstances. It was matter Of precaution
| tn avoid OhStrllItiOnS.
The Grand Jury did not refuse to indict
Gen. Anderson.
Sherman says: "The information was
signed and filed by man who was an Off
Ger Of the White League, identified with all
the numerous crimes OF that organization.
THIS IS A FALsEHooD.
} The information was filed by District Attor
ney Finney, who, instead of having been M
officer Of the White League, and who Il
charged to have been identified with thu
, associated with that body.
!! 'The Judge who tried the case is public de
! faulter for over 5000, 600"
This Is untrue as shown above.
"When Anderson was arrested he was the
, acting Collector Of the port Of New Orleans
and the arrest was made while he was'i in the
discharge of his duty at the Cnstom-House
, which, as Mr.. Sherman thinks, stands OF
ground under the sole jurisdiction of the
United States by cession from Louisiana"
This is false
1 Tho State Of Louisiana never coded juris
dction to the United States OF the grount
5 The United States holds that property az
any other owner of property holds real estat
in the city Of New Orleans. The Louisiana
, Legislature never took action on the subject
8 This matter has been carefully examined b,
! several Of the best lawyers of Louisiana, ant
their opinions are uniform in regard to it.
He continues .mr
( HIS MENDACTTY:
'He anderson was hurried to prison. re
:, quired to give excessive bail. and failing to d
: 80 was kept in custody, denied all postpone
> ment, forced to trial, convicted, and is nov
:, held for sentence without benefit Of ball.
Gen. Anderson was not hurried to prison.
I He was in July, 1877, required to give bail il
: the sum Of $4,000, and did So The Distrlc
pias upon him, but sent to his counsel, inform