The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-28
Organization of the Potter Iuvesti-
eating Committee.
THE ARMY BILL IN THE HOUSE.
A Vote to Reduce the Rank and File
to Twenty Thousand.
TRANSFER OF THE INDIAN BUREAU.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON, May 81, 1878.
THE EAST AND WEST rELIcIANA PARISH
FRAUDs-FAcTs AS THEY APPEARED BEFORE
THE CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATING COM
NITTEE-MR. WITNESS ANDERSON AND HIS
SEARCH FOR PLACE.
James e. Anderson, whose conversation In regard
to an alleged letter OF Secretary Sherman published
in the HERALD to-day, Is likely 10 ce an important
witness before the Potter committee, though what
his testimony will eventually prove is regarded
very uncertain by prudent people here. Tho following
particulars OF the and the which his tes-
timony is expected may be OF interest They are
gathered from the Official reports OF the last Lousi-
and If the Witnesses be believed,
II would that Anderson was in November, 1875,
trying to trade of 10 his advantage the vote OF
his parish; that he offered his gervices to
The democrats Tor 81, 900. and, being refused, went
pver 10 the republicans for the written engagement
that he should be made naval officer OF the port OF
New Orleans, the place which Madison Wells, OF the
Returning Board, for his greater deserts, now con.
,nues 10 hold. The OF East Felicana parish, in
Louisiana, Is OF those which the Potter CON-
mittco it is said will most carefully investigate and
Il was OF that parish that James i. Anderson, who
pretcnds to have received letter from Secretary
Sherm an, was Supervisor OF Registration. The whole
vote cast in East Felicana was J. 1856, all OF
which was cast for the democratic electors.
Records Of previous years show that In 1872
1000 republican votes were cast in the
parish In 1874 1,6SS and there were registered in
1876 OOl and 127 colored voters The republicans
claimed intimidation, and tho Returning Board threw
out the parish The democrats claim that the ropub-
lcan leaders purposey arranged beforehand that the
rolored voters should abstain from voting the re-
ftrtot tho
parish nor any organization Effected and that the de-
liberate design was thus to make prma facie case
OF gross and wholesale intimidation In order to throw
this and several other parishes.
No protest or other paper alleging intimidation was
died with the election returns as the law Directs nor
by Anderson as Supervisor, who made his return on
November Ii, six days after tho election, to the Re-
,lurning Board without any remarks. But ten days
later, on November %, than Two weeks after
the election, he brought in paper alleging intimi-
dation OF himself. Anderson's relation 10 the
now will DO understood from tho following evidence
given before the Louisiana committee
b. Morgan and several others testified that Ander-
told them that tho election had been far and
pcaccablc but that no had becn asked to TO tho
Custom House. where he had signed paper-an afa.
davit-chargng that there Intimidation; also that
when he sent up to register tho parish Governor
Kellogg told him tho Returning Board would probably
throw 1t out anyhow.
Charles Z. whitney testified that Anderson told him
on the 10th OF November that tho republican party
had ungratcful him, bccaosa he thought that
his services the party warranted their rcmuncraiing
him with money or Office, the emouments OF which
would be equivalent, and, although promised after
The election, they had not boon gwen to him The
witness continued:-
He then stated that he desired some influence
brought TO bear on the democratic party to secure
him position or to secure him money;
rcacncrousiy to him. anu that the day ociore
bead OF the Gu House stairs Governor Kellogg had
threatened 10 use u halter or had halter in prcpara-
lion him. He alter ward said, In the course OF his
conversation, that he had received some overtures
from The republican party To the effect that II he
would 20 nil right II would bc to his advantage; at
tue time he pulled large envelope out OF his
pocket sealed with an Official seal or large sealing
wax, which vas addressed, ana also having on the
verse; ITO be opened alter the election" or 'Altar
PRONUNCIATION OF tho voto by the Returning
snea no SAID nas envsopo ao oon,a esoe0s
commission or order TO take possession OF
ZONE odlco from some one holding oinco. Ho
,hen asked that my influence and Mr.. Lawrence's in
luence be brought 10 bear with the democratic party
10 enter into communication with him. He said "
the democrats would act squareiy toward him no
would show up tho East Fenciana matter. He was
bidding for ofhcs sIdc the other. Ho
d.dn, want to commit himself TO one side IN ne
knew what tho other was gong TO do. lie drew from
his pocket largo brown paper envelope, with a lot
OF sealing wax on the back, and Endorsed diagonay
the words:-s'ro be opened when vote is promul-
gated" or "ro DO opened when count fnisncd,r I
was addressed 10 .James Anderson Present \,
He intimated-his language don't RENE mber--but he
pf1ce and he added :"Herc is thing that will Xix
and put me where wanted TO be, y put somebody
else out. no offered this as bid made by the repub.
Iican party, and he wanted 10 know what the demo
cratic party would do Tor him.
D. b. Morgan testified that occasion after the
section he went with Anderson TO see Governor Ke,
logg; that Kellogg after talking privately 10 Andcr
son, told him -"You 70 and attend 10 that ana Il
viii DO all rght;.' that Anderson and Morgan next
went TO Nash, republican candidate for Con grcss BIO
tween wnom and Anderson y long private converse
SION took place, alter which both camc 10 Morgan
and asked him TO witness their signatures
10 paper, which he aid; that they did
not read the paper 10 him, but that Anderson told
him that concerned the vote OF East Fec ana that
whether ho made AFFIDAVIT OF Intimidation or not
would mako difference in Nash's election and that
Tho paper promised on Nash's behalf that II Nash
were returned elected ANDERSON should be Naval on
Ger al New Orleans Anderson was to he Naval ON.
Ger II tho Returning Board gave Nash his election,
and to accomplish that Anderson was TO sign paper
written by some one, and he told Morgan his belief
that Kellogg did not want Nash elected
Major Burke testified that Anderson had como to
him on three occasions 10 MAKE offers OF evidence.
lie said
Ho distinctly stated TO me his ability TO prove bv
incontcsabe evidence tho existence on the part of
the republican party OF conspiracy to throw out
the parishes OF Fast and West Fclicna. East Baton
Rouge, Ouacbta, Morehouse and Grant. lie then
TOLD me That the republican party had ton Of
holuing an eectioDthat Is, OF causing iheir people
TO vote; they nd not furnish any tickets
and he could put us IN possession OF such evidence
would undoubtedly save the parish TO tho dc
party. Ito also said that he could place possess
SION VI evidence that would expose the schemes Tor
throwing out polls In the various parishes referred to-
had three interviews with MIR. Anderson. He told
me that no had made at one time some kind OF
AFFIDAVIT at the Custom House. but sad that he was
nndcr the influence OF liquor when no made Il,
and that ne could prove that fact, and
ho offered 10 place IN our possession all
this Information TO save the vote OF East
Fcliciana, and expose the conspiracy referred
10 Tor the Of $4,000 HIS propositions
not accepted. and subsequently,, | am In.
formed, he entered Ino agreement with MIR.
Kellogg and Mr. Nash, candidate for Congress, BY
uhich ne Was TO have position In the Naval Onicc,
think naval officer so far rs be csfncd In
Enst Felciann, there was to lie an abandon mont OF
the parish, coupled with a statement by him oil In
ttmidatioD, &c, which lie would not make as he