The Rock Island Argus., 1878-06-25
The Potter Investigation.


WASHINGTON, June 24-When the
committee reassembled. Gen. Fl. V. Boyn-
ton, special correspondent OF the Cincinnati
Gazette, was called:
0. By McMahon: Did you call upon the
President of the United States in relation
to the appointment of Mr.. Anderson A.
| did not The appointment had been an
nounced as being that of anOhio man; there
had been perhaps the same day state
ment published to the effect that Ander-
son had been engaged disreputably in
manipulating the vote of one or two parish
es in Louisiana, and secondly that he mad
been appointed by the President on that
account, and in conversation L asked the
President how it happened that this man
had been appointed, charged as he was
with the disreputable manipulation of the
vote of Louisiana; the President replied
that Anderson had been appointed for
efficient services rendered the party, and
10 reply to further inquiry the President
said he did not think Anderson would
retain his Office; it was in the first week in
June the interview with the President
took place. Gen. Boynton having been
riding with the President, through invita-
having taken place during the drive.
By Cox. Have you compared that in
June with the letter written to the State
Department, asking the holding or revok-
ing, of Anderson's appointment? A. Yes,
sir; | heard was to be called before this
committee with reference to this matter; l
saw it so stated 10 a Western newspaper,
and [ went to my files and fixed the date of
that conversation and date of the letter to
the State Department, which was the 26th
uf May; no conversation that had with the
President proceeded on the theory that he
had been dealing with Anderson on
account OF any improper service that he
had done.
By Gen, Butler. Have you at any time
attempted to give the Presidents words
exactly 10 this interview? A. No, sir; |
told the story as it lay in my mind at the
time | repeated it.
Q. Have you not said this substantially
that you asked the President how he
came to make the sppointment of such a
man against whom such charges were
made, and he said he was possessed of
some political secrets2 Didn't you use
the words political secrets?" A. No.
sir; did not, | am absolutely certain. |
did not say to any body; the words poll
| tical secrets" were never used by the
President and do not think ever used
the words 10 speaking to anybody of it.
O. Have you never used these words
in speaking of it-that the President said
be was appointed on account of matters
not best to be known2 4. No sir; |
have not, and l want you to understand
that | do not propose to make any answer
here that will reflect upon the President.
.. Why not, if it is the truth? A. /
will tell you why-because l propose to
state exactly what took place and not give
any halfway answer which may reflect
upon the President of the United States; /
have told in substance all that tCCk place
between the President and myself; if il
was not the pleasure of the committee to
accept his statement as he pleased to make
it, which was the plain facts as they
occurred, they might wait until December
next, when probably they might gel
details OF the affair.
Z. Have you given any person what
ever to understand hat the President said
to you to give you to understand tha
Anderson was possessed of some poiitica
knowledge that it was not best to have
made known? A. No sir; and the Presi
dent did not say nothing of the kind.
i Q. Please state what reason tn
President did give for this appointment
4. His statement was to the effect tha
this Dan had beer good Republican ant
! had done good Republican service il
Louisiana; that was the substance Off
q Haven't VI u stated TO any body tha
the President laid to you that becaus
Anderson had sHme knowledge Of poiitica
: affairs in louisiana il was necessary
conveoieut or froper that his appointmeu
should be made? A Not to my recolieC
ton; | may ave conveyed that impressi0
to several people. but as to stating as tn
words OF the President am confident
have not done so
: Q Have you stated that in substance a
what the President says? a. | may hav
, done 50.
: Q. Did you state it truly? A state
it truly as it remained in my miDd, an
| wish to say right here that | repel a
g iusinuatioD that have not told the trut
. at all times, and, if necessary, | sha
q protect myself against such imputation
! The other members of the committee hay
= acted as gentlemen toward NE, but Gel
i Butler has acted the party rowdy, and
. uGSFe tNe SUdlEu1dU 10 cali ulS dltCDNlOu
C the tact, and if the committee will n
e protect me | will protect myself.
! By Butler: Where were you when Il
McVeagh committee went down to Louis
,r ana? A. | was in ashingtoD.
. Mr. Cox: | desire to take the sense
. the committee as to whether we propose
= @ into the question of the doings of Il
McVeagh committee 10 April, 1871,
=, whether We have authority to do so und
~ the resolution of Congress under which ,
20 are acting.
~ The committee then went into seer
i. session to consider this and other matte
connected with the workings of the col
mittee, and shortly after adjourned un
20 Tuesday.
ar OHIO.
&C. CLEVELAND. June Ex-senator B.
ne Bruce, of Mississippi, and Miss Joseph
D. B. Wilson, of this city. were married Il
1g evening at the residence of the brid
ST oarents Mr.. and Mrs. Bruce left at O.