The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-08-13

NEW YORK, Aug. 49, The Potter in
vestigating committee resumed deliber-
ations this morning. w, Fl, Roberts testi-
fed, he was editor of the New Orleans
Times, democratic journal, and during
the caupaign used its influence 10 carry
the state and national ticket.
Witness believed Nichols and Tilden
carried Louisiana, In either 1866 or 1858,
Gov. Hayes came down to New Orleans
for the purpose of looking into the cause of
the riots, he was good shot and good
talker, he went out hunting, circulated
about, aud made many friends for his
party in that way. He did not seem to
have come there to fight democrats. Eos
ter of Ohio was truthful man who dared
to give expression to his opinion.
Witness was then asked about the
course that was taken in regard to ascer
tanning the attitude of Gov. Hayes towards
the state government of Louisiana, when
he went on and stated that as newspaper
representative, and as man who actively
engaged 10 politics, be was selected to go
to Ohio and ascertain the views of Gov.
Hayes, and what policy be would adopt in
case of his election to the presidency. He
proceeded to Ohio some time before the
returning board met. Witness was about
stating the result of the conversation be
had with Haisted who gave him solid let
ter to Hayes, when he was interrupted by
Hiscock, who objected to questions aud
answers that would be throwing mud upon
the president.
Butler said his question to the witness
was plain one and he had merely asked
him to state as near as he could the result
of his interview with Halsted. editor OF
the Cincinnati Commercial; he did not see
how that was throwing mud on the pres
ident by detailing exactly what was said
or done. In regard to this investigation
he thought they should go into the length
and breadth Of it. We are here to ascer-
tain if Hayes was elected by fair count
He said it was shown ID evidence tha
Nichols had received about Is, 900 votes
more than Hayes, and that Packard haC
received so many votes over Hayes, anC
yet with the wonderful result that thu
country already knows. Butler also spok,
of the vote that had been given in s. g.. ant
said all this seems very Estrange; man.
persons have seen where the lightning
| has struck, but scarce any one has seel
the lightning strike twice in the same
4 place, such phenomenon would surel
have got into the newspapers. He though
every latitude should be given in this in
vestigation, and be saw no objection 10 th
question as no electoral commission wa
then thought OF. 4
Mr.. Hiscock insisted that Gen. Butle
was eudeavoring to show that forgery Ia
been committed, and argued that sue
evidence was sought TO be obtained wit
a view of connecting the president of th
United States with the former and lookin
toward his impeachment.
After further disenssion the ehairma
. said he had no objection to the question.
Witness then detailed at length his il
Iteryiew with Halsted and his subsequel
, interviews with Governor Hayes an
Louisiana. Witness told Halsted ne hz
come on for the purpose OF learning Go
Hayes views in regard to the south, al
b what policy he would adopt ln the event
his being counted in as president. Wi
luess in the course of the conversation wi
u Halsted told him that what could be dor
, would be done to save the state, remarkiI
8 to him that whatever horse loses our hor
g wins. Witness also told him that whatev
cargo they threw out it would be the car
Eof least value. Halsted told witness th
: HAYES was a good fellow and meant to
: right towards the south. Witne
= told Halsted be had come thitl
on purpose to find that out. Witness d
Tailed further conversation he had wi
: Halsted, and then spoke of his visit
-lGoy. Hayes with the letter of INTRODUCED
from Halsted. which letter was sealed, a
1 with the contents of which be was ignt
! ant. His interview with Gov. Hayes
the exceedingly pleasant character, and
learned that the governor entertained
most friendly feeling toward the soui
+. Witness told him the state must be saw
:, lat all hazards to the democrats, and tt
IT whatever they threw over would in that
" spect be of the least value to them.
" also told the governor that they could ]
tablish or show a vote Of thirteen thousaI
s Gov. Hayes told witness that he had
gs desire for the presidency unless be VI
ie- counted in fairly. He spoke very kin
'er and ccurteousiy Of the south.
II