New-York tribune., 1878-06-10
INCInENrs In COMMITTEE.
MR. FERRY's TESTIMONY ABOUT TECHNICAL IRHE'
UIARITEs-THE COMMITTEE SURPRISED BY sE'
ATOR MATTHEWS.

MR.. FEERY's TESTIMONY ABOUT TEcHNIcAL IRREG-
UIARITIEs-THE COMMITTEE SURPRISED BY SEN
AToR MATTHEW'S
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUSEl
WASHINGTON, June 0.-The session Of the Potter
Committee yesterday not a very fruitful one
The examination of MIR. McKenney, clerk Of the
Electoral Commission disclosed what has already
been explained in The TRIBUNE, the cause of the
mistake in printing the official record of the pro-
ceedngs of the commission. Mr.. Mckenney
showed that all the returns from Louisiana
which were presented to the joint convention of
both Houses, were printed, and that everv member
of the Electoral Commission had copy. while the
manuscript originals were constantly upon
the Clerks table. The theory, therefore, that
any attempt was made TO keep either
of the papers from the knowledge Of the commits
sion falls. The grounds upon which the original
return which is acknowledged to be genuine, IS
now attacked are mere technicalitles which the
Democrats eyen did not consider of any importance
when the returns from Louisiana were before
the Electoral Commission for examination. This IL
proved by tho fact that although all these papers
were open 10 the inspection Of the Democratic coun
sell no one called attention TO the defects which tho
Potter Committee is now making so much Of
Senator Ferry's testimony was chiefly important
because it showed that the Louisiana returns were
I
He explained III the minutcst detail his connection
with all the returns to the acknowledged satisfac
tinn of the Democrats. He showed with what sig
nal fidelity he as Republican President of the Senate,
performed the duties Of his important and respon-
sbe Office in that critical time. lie took peculiar
care 10 have kept n record of all the techni-
cal irregularities which appeared on the out
side Of the electoral returns as he received
them, and the result is surprising one.
There were hardly twenty States in which tho
Electoral Colleges did not dcyate in way from
the requirements of tho statute The blunders were
not confined 20 either party. II Mr. Ferry allowed
the messenger from Louisiana, before delivering
the package 10 him. 10 take II back TO that State
in orier 10 have it corrected. he also allowed
the messenger from North Carolina to do the same.
Tie Democrats of Arkansas even eudeayored 10 in
dnce him to allow the returns Of that state 10 be
taken from his custody for correction after
he had officially received them; but this of course,
he refused TO allow 20 be done. Senator Ferry also
showed that the original genuine return from
Louisiana was the first one received by mall and
was the irai presented TO the JOINT convention.
The sensation Of the day was the reception of a
letter from Senator Stanley Matthews declining the
invitation Of the committee 20 appear and explain
his letters and speech which General Butler made
in regard TO this refusal. " am desirous Of getting
I 10 the bottom facts. having neither friends
10 reward nor enemies 20 pnnlsh, SAID General Bu-
ler, with n tremendous pulf of his checks. so
long ag hold a seat In he House, he continued Il
will never allow United States Senator TO
invade its authority" IL should be re-
marked here that General Butler assumes no new
position n this regard. He has always held that no
privilcge of the Senate would protect a member OF
that body i'm his refusal TO respond To a summons
from a committee OF the House. As he remarked
the other day, he has Issued subpoena
10 n Senator and brought him before a
committee That ~ what he proposes to
do i'm this ease The committee unanimously fol-
lowed General Buffers lead, the Republicans oven
voting that a summons should be directed to ISSUE
although General Cox thought that the subpoena
sbould not require Senator Matthews TO be present
during the sessions of the Senate.
The general feeling is that Senator Matthews has
made a mistake m the position he has assumed and
that IL would have been better for him TO
have accented the invitation Of the commit
fee and 10 have made the fullest explana-
iion possible of his dealings with Anderson
aud Of the letten he wrote and received. None OF
his Republican associates suspect INN OF CONSCIOUS
wrong and he only adds 10 the mistakes he
has already made by refusing to give To the
Potter Committee the fullest information for which
IL asks While il is very possible that the senate,
which is extremely jealous of its privileges. may
snetoin Senator Matthews in the position he has
assumed if nc sees fit to maintain IT, II s hOped that
he will reconsider the determination at which he
las arrived and will answer the committees sub
pmua which will bs served upon him. 30
The slow progress which the Potter committee is
making makes IL somewhat probable that the com
mittee will remain IN session during considerable
portion of the Summer.