The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-06-06
THE FIRST HAUL.
The Potter Investigating Com
mtttee Examines
Anderson.

yesterday:
Treasury Department, June LIST, 1873
Hon. Clarkson N. Potter, Chairman, etc.
House of Representstives-Sir [ have
the honor to acknowledge the receipt OF
your letter Of Yesterday, advising me- thai
the committee of which you are chairman
will permit me, as person named in the
resolution, to be present when evidence
affecting me is taken, and to be
attended by counsel and tc
offer evidence in my own behalf
My official duties will not permit me &c
attend the meetings, but avail myself OF
the consent of the committee to be repre-
sented by Hon, Samuel Shellebarger, my
counsel who will hand you this. He is
Instructed to assist you to make the in.
vestigation thorough and complete and
through the members Of your committee
to examine witnesses who will prove the
allegations stated in my letter Of the goth
ultlmo. Very respectfully,
JOHN SHERMAN.
ANDEEso.,'S EVIDENCE.
The Potter investigating committee met
to-day, all the members present. and Dir
Potter announced as the uh-cominittee to
visit Florida Messrs. Hunton, Springer
and HiscOck.
JAMES E. ANDERSON
OF Philadelphia, previously supervisor Of
registration of East Fellciana parish, Lou
isiana. was the first witness called, and
Representative MacAlahon began the ex-
animation. After giving detailed state
ment of the duties of the supervisor of
registration, Anderson sud he had
seen a document known as the Sherman
protest and chat it had been altered, not
being the same as to when signed by him
In reply to q question to the alterations wit
ness sad there were two or three addi-
1IOnal paragraphs in the document and
that it was filled in in several places Sew
eral documents we're read giving detailed
statements Of the manner in which his
anderson 81 life was endangered and re-
garding intimidation, &c in his parish
He was Of opinion that because he would
not carry out the IDEAS Of Gov. Kellogg
and others they were DESTROYS Of driving
him out of the parish. Ia an interview
with Governor Kellogg he was asked
how his (AnGerson's) parish was going
and he replied about fifteen hundred
democratic ma jority. Gen. Kellogg said,
that Will never do and suggested that An
derson rally the colOred voters of two
polls and Garry them and let the remainder
VI tilC fpOllS SO utluOCluLlC, TcllluTklnR
further thu witness then get up disturb
ance and In consequence thereof throw
the democratic votes out A document
was produced purportlng to be an affidavit
which had been signed by witness and
Don A. Weber, supervisor of West Felci-
ana parish, wherein those gentlemen re-
fused to sign protest against the result
OF their parishes AS they knew that
large democratic gains had
been attained by legitimate
means. The original of this affidavit wit
ness said was recently in the possession of
Hon. Stanley Matthews. While in New
Orleans he heard that John Sherman was
In the city and desired to see Don. Weber
and himself. Whereupon he called at the
st. Charles hotel TO see Sherman, but
failed to find him. Later they found him
at Maleary's restaurant, Canal street.
Weber advanced, addressing Sherman.
The latter remarked, Glad to see YOU ~
Sherman said: Gentlemen, | want to see
you. | understand there is difficulty in
your parishes. The assistance of every
representative and true patriot is needed
and | trust you will stand by us y They
remarked that in endeavoring to do their
duty they incurred the displeasure of
Packard and Kellogg and were
compelled to leave their respective par
shes, and in event of Packard's election
as Governor we will get nothing from the
administration. whereupon they were as
sured by Sherman that they would be cared
for, as Hayes would con-
troll the federal patronage All he
desired of them was that they
confirm and let the record run along as ii
was. After the lapse of short time Web
er and Anderson concluded to forward a |
letter to Sherman informing him that they |
were not satisfied with their conversation |
with him as regards being taken care of |
and requesting that he should inform them |
in writing rs to whom they should look to /
for the fuliilment of his promises
Hiscock, Butler and Cox, of the COM
mlttee. objected TO reading of what was
claimed by witness 10 he a copy OF the re-
ply to their letter to Sherman. taking the
ground that Sherman should see the doc
ument and if he recognized it rs copy of
his reply then, and not till then, should i,
be admitted in evidence.
Judge Shellaoarger. counsel for Mr.. |
Sherman, said, in reply 10 question,
that he had no knowledge of Shermau's |
ever writing such u letter.
Mr. Butler offered resolution, which |
was adopted, providing that the paper
identified be received, but not until Score |
tsry Sherman be cal ed before the commit |
tee and have an opportunity TO see it, |
whereupon Chairman Potter notified Sec
rotary Sherman of the action of the com
mittee.
n letter was produced signed BY the !
witness addressed to Weber, stating that |
Packard WAS raising HI because OF their |
refusal TO protest against the returns in /
their respective parishes.
A recess was then taken.
After recess Secretary Sherman ap- /
peared, and the letter which WAS claimed !
by Anderson To be reply to his letter was |
shown 10 the Secretary, who said: "Mr. /
chairman. believe, from my recollection /
of the views have taken, that
NEVER WROTE SUCH LETTER.
II have written 1t, it must have been /
when the returning officers convened TO l
count the returns, and do not believe I /
ever wrote this letter. At the same there i
are things in the letter would have writ /
ten these. or any other, men engaged in !
such occupation. but don't believe /
wrote this letter.
A vote was then taken on the question 4
Of having the letter reasl aud resulted At 1
trmative,y. II Is in substance - follows: .