The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-06-22
POTTERY.
JRNMs'ON THE sTAND YESTERDAY RE
RNCxTEs HIS LESSON As LEARNED
FROM sHELLABARGFR.
sac Envelopes Great Deal Of "Don't
KnOw"-The sherman LettwF-Intirni-
antTOu-AuHersgn's ErOteRt

Me Envelopes q Great Deal Of sDon't
Know"--The sherman Lettvr-Intimi-
datiOn-Andersgn' Protest.
WASHINGTON, June 21.-The Potter investi-
eating COMMITTEES met ut noon to-day, and
called Capt Thos II. jerks, Of New Orleans,
who was examined by Mr. Reed, and testified
that In 1876 he was appointed deputy United
States marshal for East HFelCiana parish by
Marshal Pitkip, and thet the Republicans In
that parish had told him that they we're
afraid to register on account OF being intimi-
dated
Mr. Mcmahon, at this point asked II Mr..
jerks was called ut the instance of Mr.. Sher-
man. and Mr.. Reed replied afiirnatlvely,
whereupon Mr.. Mcmahon said that he OBJ
jected TO any testimony bearing upon affairs
la East Feliciana except such as would di-
rectIy affect Mr. Sherman and that the ques-
ton as to the authenticity OF the Sherman
letter should be settled before any evidence
was taken on the subject Of Intimidation.
This gave rise to an extended discussion,
In the course of which Mr.. Resd charged that
the majority Of the committee had steadily
refused to allow testimony to be presented by
the Republicans on the subject of the fitness
4gf the election In Louisiana, and Mr.. Morris
gave notice that Mt the first opportunity he
would interpose an objection to the calling Of
the hundred witnesses suggested by Secre-
tary Sherman.
MIR. Reed said that various things had been
determined upon by the majority Of the corn
rnittee In private caucus
Mr.. McMahon-W Well think we Democrats
have as much right to consult as have our
Republican associates.
Mr.. Reed don't dispute that right
Mr.. McMahon-Weil then, what are you
blowing about2 Laughter.
Mr.. Reeu, very irate--l am. not blowing.
The examination OF the witness was then
resumed and he stated that he made 1t his
business to go around to three different polls,
and conversed freely with the voters, ma
jority OF whom were cOlored; was told by
them that they were afraid to vote. Some Of
them voted but voted the Democratic ticket
underline same sense Of intimidation.
Mr.. jerks related outrages upon Repuhli-
cans In East Felicana in 1876, when Mr.. Nc
Mahon Interrupted by. saying that the law
had reference only TO intimidation and vo-
hence during the time of registration and
election
Mr.. Reed retorted by the remark that the
community in which this intimidation Oc-
Cured was influenced by the recollection Of
previous violence Whereupon Mr.. Springer
said: "Ohl there were some people that
were there during the war; you are not going
down TO that, are your
Mr.. Cox referred TO Louis Napoleon's coup
detdt In 1859, his subsequent popular cleo
tions held under the pr issure of the army;
when Mr.. MeMaaOn said this comparison was
somewhat unfortunate for the gentleman, in
asmuch as the whole machinery of the State
government and OF the Federal government,
as well as the Federal army, were backing up
the very persons who complained Of intlmi-
dalton.
After some further discussion on this point
Capt. jerks was allowed 10 proceed, and he
said that he was told by James g. Anderson,
In New Orleans, that he could not hold any
registration in East Feliclana because there
was q perfect reign of terror there.
Witness submitted letter to him from
James u. Anderson, dated October 6, 1876,
wherein Anderson asks him to secure list of
nineteen murders committed In that parish,
which had been given to Gen. Augur He also
submitted q petition addressed to Gen. Augur
by a number of citizens of East Feliciana,
wherein they complained of violence exercised
towards them by band of outlaws self-styled
"Regul ators," and citing several murders of
eolored men committed by the Regulators"
In 1876. The petitioners, who at the time of
this address were In New Orleans, say that in
view OF these occurrences they cannot return
home unless proper. protection Is afforded
them by the United States government, be-
cause the State authorities are powerless to
do SO, and hence they ask Gen. Augur to send
O company of cavalry to East Feicana par
ish, to be stationed ut Clinton.
Capt jerks next stated he Is acquainted
with james E. Anderson, and that the latter
had told him, In September and October, 1876,
that he had not been able properly to dis
charge his duties on accounted the state Of ter
rorism prevailing in that parish and Ander-
son also told witness about an attempt to as
sassinate him after the election. Anderson
said to him that he believed z. g. Butler aud
bis clerk had something to do with it. An
derson never told witness that he could not
truthfully protest that the election was not
free and fair. He said that he and Anderson
talked the matter of protests over, but neither
would have dared to attach any protests to
the returns, because they would have been
hung on the nearest tree
Anderson, on the afternoon Of November 8,
refused to sign q protest, because he held an
order for $3.50 from Patton, chairman Demo
cratic State Central Committee which had
not been paid. Afterwards they went to
Baton Rouge where the order was Cashed by
Major White. Anderson did not say that
he afterwards signed the returns in consider
alton of the payment of $3.50, but that was the
inference witness drew.
Mr.. Reed call the attention of the chair
man Mr.. MCMahon}to section Is of the cleo
ton act, to be found on page 255 Of the Sher-
man report, which provides that supervisors
accounts shall be approved by the State Reg
istrar.
Mr. McMahon-And call the gentleman's
attention to the fact that that voucher was
approved by Gov. Kellogg and the State
Registrar.
Mr. Reed-That has not been testified to
as yet.
Mr. McMahon-You will find it when you
90 down to Louisiana.
An acrimonious discus ion arose at this
point between Messrs. Mcmahon and Reed,
In the course OF which Mr.. Reed charged that
Mr.. Mcmahon was not acting fairly, and Mr..
Mcmahon retorted that that bullduEing could
not be resorted to by the gentleman from
Maine without being rebuked by him.
Capt. jerks was shown Anderson's protest
as contained in the Sherman report, and
stated that that was the report which Ander-
son signed, and witness saw Anderson sign
and swear to it before Judge Campbell. Wit
ness swOre to it afterwards. Both Anderson
and witness read the protest over very care
fully before signing it, and Anderson at first
made some slight objections to signing it, but
finally changed his mind. AS near as witness
can remember, the protest signed by Ander-