The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-01-13
THE POTTER COMMITTEE.
The Much talked of st. Martins
Affidavit,
Stenger Charged with Bribfng
Witnesses.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1l.-At the session of the
Potter Committee, to-day, Thomas Kelley Pollard
was called. He had been subpened owing to let
ter from him last year, in which he said that he was
familiar with the fraudulent Louisiana presidential
certificates, and had placed marks them to prove
it. Witness testified that in December, 1871 he was
employed in New Orleans as Gov. Kelloggs messen-
ger. The certificates, having been shown him, he
said he was present when the first one was signed,
and further on in his testimony he pointed out the
signatures of jefferson and Leyisee two of the cleo
tors, as having been forged.
Chairman-It has been said that you forged those
signatures What have you to say to that?
Witness-I can't answer that question.
Mr.. Cox Did you sign either of the names of JEFF
ferson or Levisee?
After a conference between the members as to the
effect Of an answer in the affirmative, which nigh t
expose him to criminal prosecution, witness said:
"There is general suspicion that I signed the pa
per. If I shonld now say signed it people would
say was fool for telling that, and if should say
did not, they would say that it was no more than
they would expect.''
Mr.. McMahon-Still there is now an opportunity
for you to set yourself light if you did not forge the
Names
Witness said the gentleman VAS not familiar with
the laws of louisiana and if he should say that he
did forge the names, they could not protect him.
Mr. Cox said that the answer of the witness was
ambiguous, and therefore he repeated his question
whether he signed one or both the names.
Witness remarked that before he answered this
question he wished to consult counsel.
The request was considered reasonable by the
committee and they gave him until Tuesday morn
ing to frame response, to which time they ad-
journed.
st. Martin, whose affidavit was under consdera-
ton in the Potter committees to. day, in his state
ment says he was appointed deputy sergeant at
arms to the Potter committee by e. L. Weber; that
by direction of Democratic members of the COM
mittee and of the confde ntial agents of s. j. Til
den, Messrs A. M. Gibson, j. Ii. Maddox and Geo.
W. Carter, he secured the services of Armstead
Duncan and Steward of st. james Parish, by the
promise of a reward of $50 each to the two latter
and 500 to the former. They were to swear to afi-
davits which were written by Maddox to the effect
that their previous testimony before the Returning
Board was false They were coached by Weber, and
list of questions and answers sent by Weber to
Stenger were also put to them until they learned
them thoroughly, said questions to be put to them
by the committee.
SJ Martin states that Stenger instructed him that
where the witnesses favorable in the Democrats
to return them as not found; also that Weber Sc.
cured Dula, paying him $500 to testify he was
coached by Weber. St. Martin heard the bargain
made by Weber with Dula, but Weber said the day
before Dula went the stand that he would have to
consult Mr.. Gibson. When Dula went on the
stand he exposed the whole plot. Gibson then gave
St. Martin the 1925 intended FOR Dula if the latter
had testified he expected to, and st.. Martin
took the stand and denied all Of Dua's testimony
Maddox told st. Martin that ellison was Tilden's
outside agent, and he could secure all the money he
wanted of Col, Pelton.
Weber last May asked St. Martin if he would ties
tify to having Weber destroy the Sherman let
ter, but Martin refused to do. Weber was tC
swear to such letter if Sherman did not provide
for him. Weber, after he returned from Washing
ton, said that Carter and Gibson offered him $40 0OC
to testify as they desired. Weber told st. Martin
that $4,000 given him by Garter secured his
CWeber's) testimony against the Republicans and
Secretary Sherman. Weber was promised by Car
ter and Gibson, in addition to $4,000 reward, that
his detacations Treasurer of the school board Of
Feliciana would be made good.
St. Martins statement is sworn to, Dec 2, 1878
before United States Commissioner Woodfey o.
Louisiana
Mr.. Stepger says that all st. Martins statements
are FALSE and that he was bribed to make them by
Morrison Marks, internal revenue collector at New
Orleans,