The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-02
JOHN SHERu4N'S WITNESS.
Contrndicting the Testimony OF st. Martin By
Oral and Docum entary Evidence.
WASHINGTON, Feb. THE Potter Commit.

WASHINGTON, Feb THE Potter Commit
toe had short session to-day and examined
one witness only. Tho sitting late Yesterday
afternoon was taken up in hearing testimony
to contradict tho many and manifest lies OF st.
Martin. John Shcrman's lntest Louisiana wit
ness. Every material statement Of this self
confessed periurer was cOntradicted by oral
and documentary evidence. ST. Martin swore
that he received his commission rs deputy ser
geant-at-arms Of the Louisiana Sub Committee
and all his subpnnas from Mr.. Maddox. Mr..
Potts. the scrgcant-at-arms OF the Sub-Com-
mttee testified that st. Martin mover had any
commission. save that he wrote on each orig
inal subpoena. e. hereby deputize s. II. st.
Martin to serve the within subpoena" and that
he personally in every instance Ravo tho sub
ppnas to st. Martin. Mr. Potts also testified
that st. Martin was discharged at the request Of
MIR. Cox. St. Martin swore that no was dis
charged because he had words with Maddox
Mr.. Potts also contradicted St. Martin in regard
to his statements about Mr. Gibson. ST. Mar
tin sworc that after Dula began TO tcstfy q ibson
Maddox. Weber and himself left the committee
room and that outside in the hall OF the hotel.
Potts testified that Mr.. Gibson sat near him all
that day. and his recollection was that he did
not leaW the room. In this Mr; Linton. clerk
OF the Committee cOrrohorated Mr.. Potts. Mr..
Cox himself. when asked by the chairman. was
forced To- say that no had no RECOLLECTION Of see
ing MIR. Gibson leave the room. This was the
recollection of Mr.. Stenger and Mr.. Blackburn.
close to whom Mr. Gibson sat during the entire
session of the Committee Mr. Cox was also
c,,,,aIicd ~ ~ oi,,ia tb"t tho statsnent ~ \,
Martin that he returned rs not found kepubh-
cnn witnesses was not true. because he never
not found. He corroboratcd Mr. Stengers
and Mr.. Backburn's statements about the dis
Another Important point was established
against St Martin. He had sworn that
he had repeated interviews with Mr..
Stenger In his room nt tho st.. Charles
Hotel. Ho was positive that he saw
him there and nowhere else. and he there 10
Gated important conversations had with Mr.
Stonger after the nth Of July. The voucher
taken by the sergeant alarms, Mr.. Potts; Tor
ss 4 oN MS + SSnFGFb bS Sp s6SrP
left the ST. Charles Hotel on July Is. Mr..
Stenger WIS positive in his recollection that he
while he was in New Orleans and that did not
last two minutes. and that was confined simply
TO s. Martin saving to MIN tnat the witnesses
he had gone up the country to subpoena had
Just arrived and could be examined that day.
He denied. generally and particularly. every a.
legation In 81. Martins nfidavit and his testi-
mony, so lar as II related 10 him.. In regard to
Mr.. Gibson's presence in New Orleans nj that
time. both Mr. Stenger and Mr.. Blackburn un-
and had no knowledge whatever OF his being In
any other way engaged. They did not under
stand that he was there 20 manage things for
the Committee. although they both knew that
he was thoroughly informed about Louisiana
HUflTN, anu IthhNhlN bNNc'rrFu ul'lf llllbi
tion OF value to the Committee than the citizens
OF the State with whom they did frequently con-
suit
To-day. Isanc r. Hill. deputy sergeant-at-
arms Of the Subcommittee in New Orleans.
testified that he recollected Duia's exam nation.
and was positive that both ST. Martin aud Glib
son were present inside the railing while that
witness was giving his testimony. He never
saw Maddox or Carter there Witness talked
about Duas testimony To st. Martin. but ho
could not recollect any part Of the conversation.
! He had no knowledge that any Of the witnesses
were being influenced by offers OF money.
At the conclusion of Mr. Hills examination
| Mr.. Hiscock moved that the Committee adjourn
TO Monday. Mr. Stcnger said that Mr.. Potter
| might not return in time on Monday morning,
| aud suggested that ndlournment be taken until
| Tuesday. To this Mr.. Hscock agreed. and the
Committee then rose.
| Mcmahon viii not consent TO serve as Chair
/ man of the Sub Committee to so To- New 1rk to
| continue there the investigation Of tho cipher
| despHtches. Either Morrison or Stenger will
| be made Chairman IN his place The Commit
tee will go 10 New York Tomorrow II tho Hr-
rangements can be made tonight or tomorrow
about the Chairman. II not the Committee will
| not 20 until Monday.