The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-08-01
THE ELECTORAL INVESTIGATION
Proceedings of the Potter Committee

Proceedings of the Potter Committee.
The Committee reassembled, pursuant to
adjournment, at Atlantic City, n. j., on the
sd. Present, Representatives Potter, Butler,
HiScOck and Springer and Mr.. Shellabarger
of Counsel.-... Representative Danford tes-
titled he was a member of the Morrison Com
lnittee that visited New Orleans, and there
met Jas. +. Anderson, who told him a good
many bulldoZing stories about his parish
EAST Feliciana). Anderson also told him he
had circulated the report that bis parish was
going Democratic, the colored vote being
largely on that side. his purpose being to get
the Democrats to offer him money as bride,
so that he might expose them.
Representative Kelley, Of Pennsylvania,
testified on the oath that he went to New Or
leans to witness the counting of the vote at
the request of President Grant. Never heard
any suggestion to manipulate the returns,
nor that the Returning Board was Influenced
by the visiting statesmen to open the returns !:
believed in the evidence of Eliza Pinkston
and others as TO intimidation; believed there
we're frauds on both sides, but that there was
land t. Parker, of New Jersey, also
visited Louisiana at the request of
President Grant His evidence agreed
with that of Mr.. Kelley. Representative
Hale, of Maine, also went at the request OF
President Grant He was in company with
senator Sherman nearly every day, and did
not believe he ever wrote the letter attributed
to him by Anderson. He believed both Pack
ard and Hayes were elected. 49,. .Ex- Con-
gresham j. Hale Sypher, of Louisiana, tes-
titled that ID. A. Weber consulted him
garding certain promises which had been
made him, as he said, by some of the
visiting statesmen, mentioning particularly
Sherman and Matthews; that subsequently
Weber handed him letter, which he read
purporting to be signed by John Sherman, he
could not remember the text of the letter pre-
cisely, but believed it was the same as the
published letter offered in evidence; did not
know that it was Sherman's handwriting, but
had no reason to suppose it to be forgery;
the letter was written on note paper.
Secretary Sherman was examined at
length before the Committee on the 25th. He
gave detailed account of the visit of the
Northern Republicans to New Orleans to wit
ness the proceedings off the Returning Board,
which he testified were fairly conducted, so
far as he was able to determine, and without
the slightest collision on the part of the Re-
publican visitors. In regard to Anderson's
testimony as to interviews between Sher-
man, Weber and himself (Anderson). witness
said he had an indistinct recollection of An
derson and Weber coming into a restaurant
where he sat at a table with Mr.. Stoughton
and engaging in some inconseQuential con-
versation, which be affirmed was in no re-
spect such as stated by Anderson in his tes-
timOny; did not think he ever saw either of
them before, and was positive he never had
any such conversation as was imputed to
him by Anderson. Being shown the letter al
legged to have been written by him to Ander-
son and Weber, witness most emphatically
previously stated on several occasions, there
were some things in the lettes that he would
have written had he been requested to do So
as he had freely expressed the opinion that
all Republicans in Louisiana who stood by
their guns deserved credit. Witness further
entered a general and explicit denial as to all
the evidence given by K. l.. Weber, Captain
jerks and Mrs jerks, so far as it represent
ed him as being cognizant of any scheme to
manipulate the vote of Louisiana or to re-
ward others for doing so. Gen. Butler ques-
wifi Ppo arfif inc he
ments TO Office of Louis i. Sauer, Henry c.
Clark, and Badger, Postmaster at New Or
leans, his intention being, as he said, to show
that these men were adlerents of Senator
Kellogg, and appointed upon his recon-
Mr.. Sherman refused TO re-
late any conversations which had oc
these appointments, but 4
said he would give the exact facts when the |
Committee returned to Washington. A letter |
from Senator Sherman To Gov. Hayes was |
submitted. 1t is dated New Orleans, Nov 49, |
1876. The writer gives a full account of the |
progress of the canvass of the vote, speaks |
Of all but two Electors from the Republican |
tickets in two parishes. the result of which |
leaves the pol in one district so close as to /
render il probable that one or more of the |
I1lden Electors will have majority. The |
letter says: We are now collecting testi-
mony as to the bulldozed parishes. 1t seems |
more like a history of hell than of civilized |
and Christian communities. The means
adopted are almost Incredible. That you
would have received at fair election a large
majority in Louisiana no honest man can
question. That you did not receive a |
majority is equally clear; but that in
imidation of every kind and nature
provided against by the Louisiana law
lid enter in and control the election at more
election polls than would change the result
and give you the vote, i believe as firmly as
hat write this. The difficulty of gathering
he testimony and putting it in legal form has
been very great, but believe it has been
ully met. The whole case rests upon the
action of the Returning Board. have care
uily observed and have formed high opin-
on of Gov. Wells and Col. Anderson. They
ire firm, judicious, and, as far as i can Judge,
thoroughly honest and conscientious. They
ire personally familiar with the nature and
iegree of intimidation in Louisiana.
We are in good hopes and spirits, not wish
ng the return to be in your favor unless it is
o be cheated out of it or buIldozed or i'm
undated. The truth is palpable that you
'ught TO have the vote of Louisiana and we
air return, according to the letter and spirit
# the law of Louisiana" The letter of Gov.
iayes in reply to the above was also put
n evidence. In it he says; A fair election
would have given us about 40 Electoral votes
Il the South-at least that many, but we are
lot to allow our friends to defeat one outrage
md fraud by another. There must be moth
ng crooked on our part. Let Mr.. Tilden have
he place by violence, Intimidation and fraud
ather than undertake to prevent it by means
hat will not bear the severest scrutiny"
II the conclusion of his testimony Secretary
sherman delivered notice that the sub Com
nittee at New Orleans had determined to ad-
ourn on the same day that he received no.
ice that the committee would permit him to
witnesses to prove intimidation of
republican voters in Louisiana, and he in
ends on the first opportunity to avail him
elf OF the privilege ..---.General John A.
fairfield was next examined He also went !
o New Orleans at the personal request of
resident Grant. He said there was not
Tord of truth in the statement that visiting ,
epuhiisSns advised the Returning Board .
st.e ics1,, sn .sa powers 20 the utmost