Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-27
POTTER'S PIT
BEING DIGGED FOR THE HAYES I'D
ILLUSTRATION,

MINISTRATION.
Gen. Sypher Reasserts His knowledge
0fSherman's HandwritinR--Ex-Con
man Morey Tells the Story of the Loui-
siana Infamy--Over Fifteen Hundred
More Votes Thrown Out to Elect Hayes
Electors Than We're Requisite In the
Case Of Packard.
ATLANTIC CRY, n. J., July 26.-The Potter
committee met this morning, and there were
larger numbers than usual of auditors. Gen.
Sypher, recalled, said he could now say he had
seen Senator Sherman's signature in autograph
albums. The witness then told of the oppo-
sition to Packard in the convention which
nominated him for Governor, and of the luke
warmness of many prominent Republicans
during the canvass, they holding that undue
influences had been excited to secure his nomi-
nation. In conversation with Republican
speakers, witness learned that in Feliciana,
Monroe and Shreveport, stones were thrown at
them in addition to other indignities
Witness says to the best of his recollection
he thought when Weber showed him the Sher-
man letter it was in the handwriting of John
Sherman and was therefore genuine. There
was no reason why the national ticket should
run behind the State ticket. Many Republi-
cans were opposed to the bayonet policy, which
had lost the Republicans several Northern
States and injured the Republicans of LOUISE
ana. Witness is not Hayes Republican. We
were divided on Wheeler. He, with his COM
promise, sold us out in 1872. We do not be-
ieve in compromises in that country, giving
evervt HING to foes oaftipo ooth1np IN
return.
Potter asked whether the allegation of fraud
and intimidation were not made after the cleo
ton and witness replied atirmatively. Charges
Of intimidation were made by Republicans in
the parishes where their votes had fallen off
Mr.. Hiscock asked whether the Democrats
sought to conciliate the colored people to vote
their ticket.
Answer. Yes, in various ways. They did as
you do in New York to buy voters; were very
afectionate to them. Laughter. The Dem
ocrats organized an unifcation movement for
the purpose of giving negroes CAPABILITIES with
whites in street cars and public schools, out
strspping us and beat US little.
Ex-Congressman Morey was called and said
there was no bulldezing in Madison parish in
1876, and the result in that parish was an in
crease of lO2 votes over the usual Republican
majority in 1874.
Witness was one Of the Republican counsel
before the returning board; said the fact OF
Intimidation violence and murder in the bull
dozed parishes was not disputed. The machin-
cry of the courts is in the hands Of the Demo
Gratis. Whoever heard of any attempt to bring
the offenders to justice.
Eliza Pinkston lived in Ouachita parish,
where the Democrats are in power. Witness,
from personal inspection, was satisfied the wo-
man had been dangerously MANNED. She was
carried into the room of the returning board
on sofa. The impression prevailed that this
exhibition would have a good effect, and his
own impression was it would be an excellent
thing to do.
Witness further said the nomination
Of Packard produced SO much disintegration
that leading Republicans discussed whether ii
was not best to protest against it and support
the National ticket.
There was no statute of limitation now, the
act having been changed in 1868 or 1869. Muir
derers and other wrong doors could therefore
be arrested at any remote time. A couple OF
thousands murders had been reported by the
Congressional committee in 1868, when the
Republicans had control Of about two-thirds OF
the parishes.
He did not know of single conviction fol
political murder under the administration OF
either Cows. Warmoth or Kellogg. The same
is true as to Nichols government.
Witness said on the face of the returns the
Nichols and Tilden electors had majority,
votes to elect Packard, and after this threw
out 1,512 votes to elect the Hayes electors.
This condition of things was dismissed by
prominent politicians, the visiting statesmen,
and the six Republican counsel. It was dis
cussed by party leaders on both sides. We
tried to make under the law case for Pack
ard, and presented protests against everything
illegal or irregular. made some figuring as
to what result would be produced if certain
parish returns were thrown out. /
think it probable the figures were mentioned
to the visiting statesmen, but naturally sup
posed the matter would be brought to their at
tention. understood the result of the calcu-
lation was sent to Florida SO as to come to the
knowledge of the Florida officials.
Later on in the examination witness said he
had no doubt the calculation concerning the
ultimate result in law, was communicated to
the visiting politicians, as they were as much
interested in knowing what would be the re.
suit in Louisiana as the Republicans there
were in knowing what would be the result in
Florida.
Witness, in answer to question by Butler.
said the result showed in the State that both
Packard and Hayes were elected under the laws.
Witness then testified at length regarding the
Packard government and the MacVeagh com.
mission. He said, among other things that
after Packard was imugurated he could not be
removed from office unless by impeachment
@. Do you say that the commission wanted
to effect a compromise between the legal legis-
lature and mob?
A. The commission at all times disclaimed
having any authority except Of an advisory
character in matters effecting a compromise
between the Packard and Nichols legislature
G.. Did you say that such men as Gen.
Hawley and Mr.. Mcveagh would advise a com.
promise between mob and illegal Legislature
Witness answered in the affirmative and added
that owing to his intimacy with Gen. Hawley
he had free conversations with him and dis.
covered Gen. Hawley desired to do what was
fair but was hampered with his instructions.
Packard was recognized in all parts of the
State, and was able to sustain himself at the
lance from troops.
Witness was then interrogated as to the for.
nation of the Nichols legislature, and related
the means by which the Packard legislature
was destroyed, such members of the latter as
went to the former receiving their per diem
and mileage, some of them being paid. There
were rumors that bribery had been used to
discussed by the Republicans. II
felt by those who believed that
Packard was elected, that the mission of the
commission particularly was to destroy the
Packard government and to establish that OF
Nlcnoll ana That the troops were to be with
drawn as part of the scheme. After the Pack.
ard government had been deprived of their
courts and court buildings, police and State
arms, the White League was sworn in as
Nichols militia. The Republicans were
dispirited and labored in every honorable
way to have the validity of the Packard gov.
eminent examined by the commission and to
provide means for the subsistence of the adj
herents of the Packard legislature, who were
very poor. They remained with it longer than
could be reasonably expected under the cir
'c,q3m.stances, and as long if not longer than
white men would do in any State of the Union
under similar circumstances and in the face of
the same degree of temptation from the oppo.
site party.
Gen: Butler. wish you to distinctly under.
stand 1t is not them l blame / blame the
tempter not the tempted. Do you believe that
II the Packard government had had recognition