The Rock Island Argus., 1878-06-21
The Potter Inves Eiga tIon.

WASHINGTON, June 2l.-The Potter
investigating committee met to-day, Nor
rison presiding IN the absence of Potter.
Capt. Thomas A. jerks OF New Orleans
was examined by Representative Reed
he testified that in 1876 his residence
was in East FelecianA parish; he held the
position of United States deputy marshal,
was appointed by Marshal Pitkin; repuo
Iicans in the parish had told witness they
were afraid to register their names on
account OF intimidation At this point
McMahon inquired if jerks was the
witness called at the instance Of Sherman.
Reed replied he was, whereupon McMahon
SAID lie objected TO auy questions being put
relating to affairs III East Feeciana parish
except what materially affected Sherman,
and that the question whether Or not
| Sherman wrote the so-called Sherman
letter should be decided before this Wit
ness gave testimony regarding intimidation
which was experienced by republicans in
| East Feleciana parish.
| A long discussion ensued, republicans
taking the ground they had been endeav-
| oring since the organization Of the commit
tee to ascertain the proposed scope OF
investigation, during which Morrison
stated Sherman had requested that one
| hundred Witnesses be subr9naed by the
sub cum niittee, WHO are to visit LOUISIANA,
the mem bers of which have net yet been
formally announced, 10 testify with refer
ence TO the Intimidation that existed, aud
that il was his, MorrlsOns s, intention at tae
proper time to ask the committee to refuse
to hear restatements of witnesses regarding
lintimidatian 10 that state. Mc1lahon
finally withdrew his objection. Witness
retoId the old story of intimidation, wheI
i McMahon again objected and anOthe
discussion ensued; at the suggestion o
Cox the witness was allowed TO proceed
with the understanding that iutur'
meeting will decide whether the testimony
lrelatine to intimidation shall be accepted
or stricken out Witness produced /
letter written by james f. Andersen
ireuuestiny that he should forward Ander-
son the original list gwen by witness t
General Augar Of l9 murders committed
10 East FelcaDa parish.
Anderson told witness that democrat
attacked him. and be thought his cierl
lButler instigate6 the attack. The hnder
| son protest iD the Sherman report WslicI
Anderson heretofore testified was not ta
document he had signed, and claiming
/ had been altered, was the oocumeh
Henderson signed and swore to before Judg
iCampbelI. Anderson requested witness
muke the affidavit; he, Anderson, wa
+ Intoxicated when he signed that paper, bu
witness refused; he was perfectly sober
: several months afterwards Anderson cam
TO witness and wanted him to make
. statement to the effect, be. Anderson; hs
. Inever signed the protest, and had tn
document writer by himself to that effect
Anderson told witness Major Burke ha
offered him several thousand dollars and
nosition if he would go back on his protest
witness vas asked what be knew OF tn
[ so called Sherman letter and ne stated ths
the first be knew about the Sherman lette
was the sixth of January last, when It WI
!. mentioned BIZ Marshal Pitkin 10 CONVEX
!. satiop; never saw letter written .
:; sherman TO ary one about the election
t1g76