The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-23
SEEKING THE CIPHER DESPI TCHEs.
Gen Butler Explaining How Sii Of them
Came Into his Possession.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.-The Potter Com
mittce did little or nothing to-day good
portion OF the session was taken up with use
less discussion about tho selfadmitted perjurcr
from Louisiana. st. Martin. John Shcrman's
lawyer said to the Committee that his client did
not want to have st. Martin called rs his wit
ness. but desired to have him called as n Demo-
cratic witness for cross-examinntion by tho
Republican members Of the Committee. This
was q proposition that tho Committee had pre-
viously settled. The Committee had declined
to receive st. Martins AFFIDAVIT. which Sherman
wanted put upon the record, on the ground
that the witnoss was present, md II his evil
dcnce was desired. sherman's friends could
put him on the stand. They declining to do this,
the Committee returned the affidavit to Sher-
man. and informed him that he could havo
tho maker OF the afIldavlt examined II
no desired to make him his witness
Now. after weeks delay. Sherman sent
word to the Committee that he wanted st.
Martin called but for cross-oxamination by his
side. which in effect made him q Democratic
Witness. This. OF course. was ioollhg WIN tno
Committee; but no !meinbor OF it appe9rs to
have the snap to decide tho matter and bring
sherman to time by moving TO discharge this
fellow. who has run away from New Orlenns 80
he could not be mnde to testify there and has
under subppnas obtained by Shcrman's lawyer.
been kept here more than month. MIR. His
cock moved finally that the Chairman call 81.
Martin to be examined as to his affidavit hut
this practically puts the affidavit on record u
thing which the Committee voted should not be
done.
MIR. Hlscock. during the session Of the Com
mittee. said to Cen Butler that IL had been
said that he had n lot OF cipher dispatches.
Democratic and Republican. and asked II no
would turn them over TO the Committee Gen.
Butler said that after the investigation was or
dered last summer, he found n bundle on his
desk In his office. which came from hq knew
not where. and which on examination. he
found to contain ciper kilograms. Some were
originals and others Office copies. They were
submitted by him to tho Committee last sum-
mer, but no notice was taken Of them. and they
remained in charge OF the clerk OF the Com
mittee for some time. when. with a printed copy
OF the testimony they were sent to his onice
tied up in paper and addressed, Mr.,
summer uncared Tor. because he did not know
| that they had been sont there and no one else
| knew what they were. Since the opening OF
| the present session he began 70 look them up
and asked the clerk OF the Committee about
| them. But he had forgotten their existence
and II was not until a considerable row was
raised and u general search was made that
| they were found. Now he was willing to turn
| them over TO tho Committee IL 1t wanted them
but he advised them. both sides. TO have moth
ing to do with them. But II the Committee In
| sisted he would dump them In on ono condi.
| ton, that they be at once printed Tor tho use o
Gen. Butler has 74l kilograms. fcw Of them
| originals, but the bulk Of them relny and press
| copies These dispatches he will give to tn,
| and secretly printed. and not TO be given ou
| save 10 experts for translation. About 100 o
| the dispatches are Republican ciphers. and re-
| late 10 transactions In Florida and South Caro-
| lima. While no definite action was taken by IN,
| Committee in regard to the Investigation OF tn,
| ciphers. IL is understood thnt the inquiry vii
begin next Monday and will proceed here fo,i
a week or ten days, when subcommittee will
| be sent TO New York.