Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-06-25

L
/ do. Laughter Senator West, | believe
was good enough to have me appointed.
Ques.-In whose writing was this letter
that was handed you to deliver? Ans
think it was In Weber's hand writing.
Mr.. Butler inquired of witness if she
had any more of Anderson's letters, and she
replied: 81 may have some mere, adding
by the way, general, how did you get that
letter from Mrs Weber," Laughter.
Mr.. Butler, leaning carelessy back in his
chair, seemingly enjoyed the question as
much as the spectators, but gave no reply.
In dialogue between Mrs. jerks and Cen
eral Butler, witness told Butler he was very
fowery. and offered to tell him more about
her Anderson letters if he would give her the
information she required regarding the course
pursued by him to obtain Mrs. Weber's let
ter, otherwise she would be compelled to re-
fuse, the same as he did.
Mr.. Springer again took the witness, ask
ing her about how long it was from the time
she left with until she returned with the doc
ument? She thought that it was In the
neigh borhood of three quarters of an hour;
she remained in the reception parlor but
about five minutes. during which time she
unconsciously bit one end of the note adj
dressed to Secretary Sherman intrusted to
her for delivery.
Mr.. M Mahon referred to the correspond
ence which had existed between the witness
and Governor Kellogg, and particularly de-
sired to know what letter she referred to In
her letter dated November IA, 1877, in which
she said yes"
WItness-I refer to the letter you wot of /;
you will perceive by one of Anderson let
tiers which | inclose that he values it very
highly, and also that he is not in possession
Of the document, and you may be sure that
he will never get it or any of the other papers
he deems of value.
During the questioning of Mr.. M'Mahon,
with the view of having the witness to state
If the letter referred to was Sherman's letter,
the witness eyaded the direct questions and
made inquiries of Mr.. M 'Mahon. She, how
ever, stated that had there been ten thousand
dollars offered for Sherman's letter, and it in
her possession, she would not have degraded
her honor so much as to have accepted the
offer.
By Mr.. Potter-Did you ever see any of
Sherman's writing?
WItness-No, sir; | did not.
Mr.. Nj Mahon referred to letter bearing
the signature of Thomas jerks, asking wit
ness If it was the signature of her husband.
The direct question was again evaded and
witness said her husband could identity his
own signature, and he being present she re-
ferred the gentleman to him for the informa
ton desired.
In reply to further interrogations by Chair
man Potter, witness stated that her maiden
name was Murdock
Mr.. Butler stated to Mrs jerks that he de.
sired to crafty her curiosity in regard to OBJ
tanning the letter from Mrs. Weber; he said
Governor Kellogg handed him bundle of
papers and in it he found letter addressed
to Mrs. Weber.
Mrs. jerks (quickly)-Why did you not
hand it back to him?
Mr.. Butler VERY slowly because had use
or it.
Mr.. Springer asked witness regarding a
certain claim IN which her family had been
interested, but the subject proved uninterest-
ing.
Mr.. Springer-That is all have to ask the
witness.
Witness-Then l move we adjourn.
Laughter.
Mrs. jerks was then excused until to-mor-
row morning, and the committee took u re-
cess.
When the committee reassembled
General III. v. BoyntoB,
special correspondent at Washington of the
Cincinnati Gazette, was called.
By Mr.. Nj Mahon-Did you call upon the
President of the United States in relation to
the appointment of Mr.. Anderson? Ans
did not call upon the President upon that
appointment especially. The appointment
mad been announced as being that OF an OHIO
man. There had been, perhaps on the same
day, statement published to the effect that
Anderson had been engaged disreputably IN
manipulating the te OF one or two parishes
In Louisiana; and secondly, that he had been
appointed by the President on that account
In the conversation l asked the President
how it happened that this man had been APP
pointed, charged as he was with the disre-
putable manipulation of the vote of Louisi-
ana. The President replied that Anderson
had been appointed for efficient services rem
dered the party; and, In reply to further IN
quiry, the President said he did not think
Anderson would retain his Office. 1t was the
first week in June that the interview with the
President took place, General Boyntou, hav
ing been riding with the President through
invitation, general discussion of appoint
ments took place during the drive.
BY Mr.. Cox-Have you compared that date
in June with the letter written to the state
department asking the withholding or revok-
ing of Andersons appointment? Ans.-4es,
sir; heard that l was to be called before this
committee with reference to the matter
saw 1t so stated IN western newspaper-and
went to my files and fixed the date of that
conversation and the date of the letter to the
state department, which was the twenty
sixth of May. When | asked the President
if his commission had been revoked, he made
the reply that he did not think he would re-
tain the Office. | supposed be had gone out
of office for the reason which was then cur
rent in print-that he had refused to accept
this consulate at Fupchal of his own accord,
and that left the impression on my mind that
the charge made in the Democratic papers
was true; but upon looking at the date OF the
letter and the date of my conversation with
the President, found that he had already
directed his commission to be withheld. NJ
conversation that L had with the President
proceeded on the theory that he had been
dealing with him on account OF any improper
service that he had done
By Mr.. Butler-Have you at any time at
tempted to give the Presidents words exact
ly in this interview? Ans.-No, sir; | told
the story as it lay IN my mind at the time |
repeated it, The President, without denying
or affirming anything with reference to the
polut | made, said that he did not think he
would receive the appointment, or that he
would retain the office If he should be APP
pointed.
Ques-Have you not said, substantially,
that you asked the President how he came to
make the appointment of such man against
whom such charges were made, and he said
he Was possessed of some political secrets?
Did not you use the words political Sc
cretsp" Ans.-No, sir; did not. am alb
soluteIy certain | did not say so to anybody
The words political secrets" were never
used by the President, and do not think l
ever used the words in speaking to anybody
of it.
Ques.-Have you never used the words, in
speaking Of it, that the President said he
was to be appointed ION account of matters
not best to be knownf" Ans.-No, sir, l
have not; and want you to understand that
l do not propose to make any answer here
that will reflect npon the President Of the
United States.
Ques.-Why not, if it is the truth? Ans.
i will tell you why; because ! propose to
state exactly what took place, and not give
any half way answers which may reflect upon
the President of the United States; l have
told In substance all that took place between
the President and myself.
Witness further said that answers could
not be placed in his mouth, and if it was not
the pleasure of the committee to accept his
statement as he pleased to make it, which
were the plain facts, they might wait until
December next, when probably they might
get the details of the affair.
Ques.-Have you given any person what
ever to understand that the President said to
you, or gave you to understand. that Ander-
son was possessed of some political knowl-
edge that it was not best to have made pub
lc2 Ans.-No. sir; the President did not say