The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-06-20

the committee to meet his convenience in
respect to time of attendance. At the sug-
gestion of NJ Cox, the whole subject was
laid over for the present.
James E. Anderson was recalled, but
nothing new was elected.
James A Boulds, Appointment Clerk of
the Post Office Department, was sworn, and
produced a letter from the Postmaster Gen
eral stating that Boulds had papers and
books inquired fer by the committee in refer
| enee tn the appointments of Jos. A. Howard
and Boulds and Baker. Boulds was exam.
ined at length. by General Butler, and stated
| that Boulds Baker first entered the Posi-
| Office Department, October 16, 1876, as
twelve bundred-dollar clerk under the ad-
ministration of Postmas er General Tyner.
The names of the parties recommending
the appointment were o. P. Morton, John
Hancock, and Representatives Throckmor-
| ton and Culberston. Baker continued in
that position until April L, 1877, when he
| was dismissed, and on April 1, 1877, at the
instance of the parties first recommending
| his appointment, and others, he was ap-
| pointed Special Agent at twel hundred
| per aunnum, and five dollars per diem.
Lilley, Deputy Sixth Auditor of the Treas
ury Department, said in reply to question
by Mr.. Cox, that the salary of Boulds Baker
| was paid strictly in accordance with the
authority given in the Revised Statutes Mr..
| Baker was one of the sixty special agents.
| Recommendations for the appointment of
George Howard, Assistant Gle to the
Electoral Commission, were signed by
Senators McCrary, Hoar and others. The
recommendations were based upon How
ards efficient service in completing the vol
ume known as "The Count of the Electoral
Vote.'
| At two O'Clock ex-Congressman Darrall
| was to take the stand, but when the hour
| came it was learned that Kellogg had trot ed
him off to see the President. The an
nouncement caused gentle sensation. Mr..
Darrall was an hour late on account of his
Presidential visit. His visit to the White
| House was not referred to in the evidence.
DarralPs evidence was sandwiched with
letters of his own composition, written
| principally to Anderson. III testified that
the letters and documents Anderson had
| fr m Matthews were to be held over the
head OF the latter gentleman, to get him to
use his influence to have Darrall appointed
| Collector Of the Port of New Orleans; also,
that he, having railroad pa ses as member
OF Congress, sent them to Anderson for the
latter gentleman to travel between Wash
| ington and Philadelphia.
| During DarralFs examination ev-Gov-
ernor Young, OF Ohio, came in, and asked
to be heard. He said he understood from
the newspapers that Butler wanted him on
the stand, and as he proposed to return to
Cincinnati at night, he did not wish to ap-
| pear to dodge.
Mr.. Butler denied that he wanted Mr..
Young to testify. It is good rule" said
he, " never to believe anything you see in
the papers about me-"
Darrall having been kept out of Office by
the adverse influence of the Board, gave
| willing evidence to the power of Wells
| and Anderson at the White House in the
| matter of making and breaking states. 1t
seemed to afford him pleasure also to testify
| that all the members of the late board were
| in Federal positions except Cassanave, the
| coffin-maker, who had not sought office.
Late in the afternoon the Potter COM
| mittee had a short executive session to con.
| slider the case of Senator Matthews. 1t was
| reported to them that the subpoena had been
served commanding the Senator to appear
before the committee at ten o'clock this
morning, but that he h ad paid no attention
| to it. No conclusion was reached.
| The House investigators had Darrall on
| the stand or the 18th, and General Cox SUBJ
jected him to a lengthy cross-examination.
| The cross-examinatiOn amounted to about
this: Sc far as Senator Matthews was con-
| cerned, that Darrall and his friends, learn
ing of the Anderson letters and rapers, at
| tempted to use both to secure Matthews's
assistance in the matter of the New Orleans
| Collectorship. Darrall testified that An
derson always declared to him that the pro-
| test was true in regard to intimidation in
Feliciana. Nash also told him, in explana.
ton of his signature to the agreement be-
fore his name, that he signed it in a
foolish moment, when Anderson was
threatening that if he did not he would re-
woke his protest. The three witnesses
called to establish the fact that Weber
signed the AndersonWeber agreement
namely the two witnesses to the paper and
the Notary no affixed the jurat, swore that
the paper which Anderson declared to be a
al Il
but none of them knew that the person
who appeared before them and signed the
name of Weber was actually Weber; so that
the question of the paper being forgery, SO
far as Weber's signature is concerned, is still
open.
General Smith, late appointment clerk,
was examined by General Butler, with the
purpose of showing that he President wa s
party to trying to reward Anderson, after
its heing proved what his character was.
Smiths answers were such as to contradict
this theory, and soon Butler, not receiving
such answers as he wanted, began to brow
beat the witness. A severe passage at arms
| took place between the witness and Butler,
and at one instant there seemed to be dan
ger of an actual collision between the two.
General Cox reproved Butler for his course
in examining witness in a speech. The
Chairman finally commanded order, and the
excitement subsidized.
General Smith, late appointment clerk,
was on the stand again on the 18th, and the
"spatting F." between Butler and Cox in re-
gard to Buffers manner of questioning wit.
ness was about th- only thing of interest.
Smith testified that this morning he went to
the Secretary's Office at the Executive
Mansion, and looked over the record of lie
ters, and found that there had been letter
referred to the Treasury Department, March
10, 1877, which had been written 10 the
President by apersonal friend, recommend
ing the appointment of James E. Anderson
The witness had but one interview with
, the President in regard to Anderson's ap
pointm. Mt He produced telegram from
Matthews bearing the date January 80, ad
dressed to himself, taken from the files O
the Treasury Department, which he though
was reply to the telegram sent by Secre
i tary Sherman. The telegram was read, al
, follows:
} "The letter referred to has been received
? No answer needed"
. Witness has written Mr.. Matthews, ant
shown him one of Anderson's letters, bu
) did not remember the contents of it.
General Butler questioned the witness a
t length regarding the letter written by Mr.
: Anderson declining the position of Inpec
{ tor of Customs, and as to the time The let
= ter was forwarded to Mr.. Matthews; wit
1 ness replied that, to the best of his recol
I lection, he sent the letter to Mr.. Matthews
. the day of its receipt, June 20.
i. at the request of General Butler, afte
e having said he had in his lossession anothe
e letter from Anderson, witness produce,
f two letters and stated he had no particula
f frien ly relations with Anderson. Had ad
/; vised him on certain points, and had ap
!, pointed his brother in the Custom-house q
s Baltimore. Another letter from Anderson
l. to General Smith was read by General But
n Ter, inquiring whether Senator Matthew
/. had said anything of his [Anderson's 81 friend
It a clerk in the Philadelphia Custom-house
j. and upon being interrogated whether h
+ [Smith] replied to that letter, he said j
It was his recollection that he did, an
r stated that he had not heard fror
|. Senator Matthews on the subject
J. he witness further testified that he ha
y appointed Anderson's brother upon tn
It Recommendation of Stanley Matthews. MI
It Buffers endeavor was to show that tn
Is President understood the position Of Andel