The Leavenworth weekly times., 1878-08-01
THE POTTER COMMITTEES.


l snC Sohsco
| ATLANTIC, n. j., July 2i-The Potlt
Committee this morning called Represent,
tive Kelley the examination being Col
Quoted by Representative Hiscock. Nj
Kelley testified that he visited New Orlear
in November, 1876. President Grant, Will
in Philadeiphis, participating in the clos
| ing ceremonies Of the exposition, sent fo
| the witness. He found President Gran
| surrounded by distinguished gentlemen
among them Gen. Robt. Patterson. Presi
| dent Grant proposed Iha. he should visi
New Orleans 10 witness the action of the rl
| ,urning board. 1t firs; he declined, bu
the President said number of promin, n
gentlemen OF the
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
had gone there, and, therefore he wantel
him TO go. He was merely 10 go TO New
Orleans as looker-on, and To see thai
nothing improper should occur. Previously
TO going. he had no conversation with any
one but President Grant. Gen. Patterson
concurred in the suggestion that he ought
to go. He left Philadelphia On the fifteenth
OF November, entirely alone, but on the
route found himself in company with Sec
reta'y Sherman, and, on arriving at New
Orleans, found a number Of visiting gentle
men, Republicans in politics.
The witness stated that the Republican
visiting statesmen found there distinguish
ell gentlemen. Democrats, and 4 committee
OF the latter addressed q communication To
the former, proposing that the two bodies
OF visitors organize and participate in the
business OF the returning board The Re
publican committee replied: Eve are
here as private citizens, with no official
power, and We cannot, therefore, supersede
or modify any law of this State, nor have
We any right to
CONTROL or INFLUENCE ANY OFFICER
as to the manner in which they shall
perform their ministerial or judicial du-
ties" Senator Sherman concurred, very
decidedly, in the views expressed by the
Republicans. The committee of visitors of
the opposite sides mingled freely at times
In answer TO a question if the Republi-
can Committee discussed any question in
volving interference with the official du-
ties OF the returning board, the witness said
that he never heard such conversation in
private or at the meetings. II any one had
attempted such a thing it would have been
to his associates as we'll as a
Of duty.
Mr.. KELLEY,
in the course OF his testimony, said he never
beard of any suggestion to manipulation
'f the parishes for any purposes nor did he
ever hear that affidavits were signed with
he names OF fcticious persons. He did not
lnow OF Mr.. Sherman having a conversa-
ion with Weber and Anderson. He had |
10 consciousness of having ever seen Weber. !
CORTLAND t. PARKER,
f New Jersey, testified that he visited New
)rleans solely at the request Of President
irant. He did not, while in Louisiana,
ear doubts thrown on the protest made by
anderson rs to East Felilicina, or that it
las interlined, or that Anderson wished To
withdraw il.
Representative Hall testified that he
rent to New Orleans, solely at the request
I President Grant, IOt on the advice of
ioy. Hayes or any person for him. All
he Republican visitors maintained a
osition that they should be careful 10
bstain from any attempted influence on
he returning board and, so lar as he knew,
his principle was carried out.
The witness and Senator Sherman were
osether every day. He had not seen the
etter written by Weber and Anderson, da-
ed November -, 1876, and alleged to be
he reply ex-senator Sherman. Ii such letters
'ere written, he thought from his intimacy
nth Senator Sherman, that he would have
card OF the fact He characterized a.
ilse, the testimony Of Weber about the Wis
ting Republicans influencing the action Of
he returning board. In reply to question
v Mr.. Butler, Mr.. Hall said: l thought
hat if Hayes was elected President, Pack
rd was elected Governor. | thought both
ere elected.