West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-08-24
The House Committee on Election
Frauds.

The Potter Investigating Committee re-
sumed Its session on August IL, but in the
absence OF several members no wi nesses
were examined.
Gen. Butler asked that Stanley Matthew'S
be summoned.
Mr. Potter said ths Senator had been sum
montd Saturday, and he replied an impor
tant engagement at Newport would prevent
MN attending, and Whatever he int nded to
10, he deemed of no consequence 10 the 60 &.
mlttee. From his reply, Mr.. Potter said.
he inferred that Senator Matthews did not
mean to respond to the summons
GENERAL Bu Ter remarked that if Mr. Mat.
thews' answer meant that he would not at
ttDd or OBEY the summons the House of
representatives, the sooner an issue was
hdue the better for the House and the Sen.
a'e, so mat the powers OF both can be- de.
te mined Ii The House has not the power
To compel the at enhance of witnesses, hen
the investigation is useless subject L.,
suspicion. He did not know what credit tn
give To certain newspaper articles he had
seen out II they Mere true, Mr.. Matthews
had been ties ifyinE To newspaper
reporters. He tells to Ihem
rs much MS he pleases, and we want him here
TO tell as much as the committee pleas.s
tie, therefore, moved that it he entered ON
the record that Mr.. Matthews refused to an
ar before the committee, and that the same
be- reported 10 the House for their action IN
the matter.
Mr.. Potter said he would entertain Mr.
Buffers motion. but thought it better To
await the presence of Nr Hiscock and Mr.
Stenger before voting on IL; he, therefore
adjourned the committee till eleven O'Clock
Tomorrow. The committee then went into
executive session
On August Is, the Committee examined
WIN. III. ROber s, editor of the New Orleans
Times, who testified that he was selected as
q man not actively engaged in politics, to
go to Ohio, before the election, and as.
certain the views of Govern tav,s
on the policy he ould adopt toward iht
South in case of his election to the Presi-
dency. lie received an intro.
ducuon TO the President from Mr..
Halstead, OF the Cincinnati Commercial
and, on meeting Hayes, and holding a
conversation with him, the Governor Told
him he did not want the Presidential off e..
except he got IL fairly. General Comfy
was present a. the time. Hayes said his
letter OF acceptance was not a mere eu pty
form OF words, but he intended to live uy
TO II in its broadest spirit, aud intended 10
treat the people with fairness and Justice
tie SAID nothing as to which State govern.
ment he would recognize in Louisiana
He understood "fairness and Justice to
mean the withdrawal Of the troUps and the
election OF the person rec. living he highest
vote. He believed Hayes to be q well mean
ing, honest man.
t'NiAti tIOhh tAdullueu the witness as
TO whether he did not understand Justice
aud fairness TO mean recognition of the
Democratic government
lie replied Hayes made nc pledges of any
Kind, and witness was left TO infer what
these words meant.
bargain.
Witness admitted that when relating his
talk with Hayes to his friends, he accom-.
panied the information with the statemen
that he underst cd Louisiana was To be
saved. An article in old time regular
DloOdy shirt" style, pub ished i'm the
Ohto State JOuyH0l, and given as Hayes's
sentiments toward the South, created great
excitement until II was proven Gov. HAYES
held no such opinions, and never author.
lied the articlr.
Gen. Butler Had you any doubt thar
hayes Understood he was plsdging himself
20 you, hat your State would be placed i'm
the hsnis Of the Democracy ii he was
elected President?
long discussion ensued between Gen.
Butler aud sdr. Hiscock as 10 the question.
Witness replied he understood from
Hayes's manner and nversation that the
NlchOils government would be given d
chance 20 establish itself