Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-05-31
sherman's Letter to Potter.

WAsHINdToN, May 2l.
The following is the letter of Secre-
tary Sherman to Clarkson N. Potter on
the subject of the Potter resolution;
May %, 1873
Hon. CLARKsoN N. POTTER, Chairman, etc, ETC..
Sir--I observe that the resolution of the
House under which your committee Is organ
lied singles me out personally by name from
among twenty or more gentlemen who were
present at the request of President Grant or
the Chairman OF the Democratic National Com
mittee to attend and witness the action of
the Returning Board upon the Presidential
election returns In the State of Louisiana in
1876, and In substance charges that at the
election in East Feliciana Parish, in Louisiana,
the Republican vote was withheld, and not
cast, in pursuance and execution of a conspir-
acy by such voters; that in furtherance Of
such conspiracy James +. Anderson, Super
visor of Registration In East Feliciana,
and DR.. Weber, Supervisor OF Registration
in West Feliciana, falsely protested that said
election in such parishes had not been free and
fair, and that thereupon the Returning Board
of said State falsely and fraudulenty eX-
cluded the votes Of said precincts; and by
means thereof, and OF other false and fraudu-
| lent action of said Returning Board the choice
of the people of the State was annulled and
reversed; and that such action by said Weber
and Anderson was induced or encouraged by
the assurances of Hon. John Sherman now
| Secretary of the Treasury.
three allegations, and upon the truth of these
depends the accusation against me, viz.
| First-That there was a conspiracy among
| the voters to withhold and not cast their
| votes, with the view to make false charge as
| TO the election.
Second-That in point of fact there was a
| free and fair election In East and West Felic-
| lana, which was falsely protested and re-
turned by said Anderson and Weber, by
! which the votes of those parishes were falsely
and fraudulently excluded by the Returning
| Board.
Third-That the offense of Anderson and
| Weber was encouraged by assurances from
me.
| With the view, therefore, to meet this accu-
sation, which, so far as 1t affects me, declare
and know to be absolutely destitute of even
the shadow CT truth, respectfully ask and
now make formal application for leave to be
| represented before your committee by counsel,
| in the investigation of all charges affecting
myself personally. tender and offer to prove
| that in point of fact the election in East and
| West Feliciana Parishes was governed and
controlled by force and intimidation, so re-
| volting as to excite the common indignation
! OF all who became cOnversant with it, and
| that proof was submitted to that effect, not
| only before the Returning Board-in evidence
| contained in executive document No. 2, sec
ond session Forty-fourth Congress-but also
| in testimony taken by the committee of the
| Senate on Privileges and Elections (report No.
| 10l, second session Forty-fourth Congress).
| will, If allowed, furnish the names of the
| witnesses whom l desire to examine before
| you, to prove the truth of this statement as
to said parishes, and that the protests referred
to were true, supported by testimony and
| properly acted upon and sustained by the Re-
| turning Board To my personal conduct, dur
| ing this examination invite your fair and
candid scrutiny, with the entire confidence
that not only myself but my associates of
both political parties, acted honestly and
| properly from a sense Of public duty
| l have requested Hon. Samuel Shellabarger
to deliver this to you, and l respectfully
designate him as the gentleman would de
sire on my part to be present to cross-examine
witnesses testifying in relation to the charges
against me, and who will, as my counsel, ten
der evidence in proof of this statement. The
favor of an early reply is requested.
Very respectfully, JOHN SHERMAN.