The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-12
Startling Statements Made to the
Potter Committee.
MARTINS ALLEGATIONS.
How a Louisiana Parish Was To
Be Bought for Tilden.
WEBER'S LITTLE BRIDE.


the affidavit of s II. St. Martin and the accompanying
letter of Mr. Shellabarger, the counsel of Secretary
Sherman. be read as the proceedings Of the commit
tee. The affidavit not made public. though it
was read in secret session ST. Martin had stated that
he not present when a certain witness
Dooer-was induced to make certain statements.
but now swears that he present and that he
swore falsely on former occasion. He also
charges that while in the service of the committee
deputy sergeant alarms he told by Representa-
tive Stenger. member of the committee. not to
serve the subpnnas of republican counsel but to
turn them if the witnesses were not found. Repre-
sentative Mcmahon said he was opposed to any int-
rect method Of settling the question before them
or allowing attack any member of
the committee in this way. For what pur-
pose was the paper presented? Would nobody
own it? 1t had already been presented for informa
ton, and they had derived from it all the informa
ton that conld be obtained. All agreed that the
paper signed by man who acknowledged that
he could be hired to swear contrary to his former
statements II the paper was nothing but recanta-
ton and it could be said he not worthy of credit
let everything he had said by way of denial be
iected But when he came to cast dirt on member
Of the committee he should come on the stand, and
if he had anything to say let him say it, like any
other witness, in a regular way.
Rep resentative Reed argued that the affidavit of ST.
Martin had bearing the subject of investigation
in many respects, and besides. it contained charge
against member of this committee Under these
circumstances and for this alone seemed to
the minority of the committee that in fairness, the
paper ought to be brought before full COMMITTEE
The gentleman from Ohio NTr McMahon said that
this paper could not be relied because the aiant
swore his former statements were false: but the
mittee did not reject Anderson and Weber because
they had severay differently ut different times
Let the whole truth of the matter be shown 1t
not of party character So far the personal au-
sion to member of this committee was concerned it
with reluctance that he made the motion that the
paper be read as part of the proceedings
SOMETHING LIKE A WHITE ELEPHANT.
Representative Morrison inquired OF the gentleman
what his opinion was as to the reflections on men,
Der of this committee.
Representative Reed replied that he did not think
he ought to express an opinion one way or another
Representative Mcmahon repeated his position
that the witness being accessible. should be called
instead of accepting his affidavit.
Representative Hiscock said here a witness
the majority would not put on the stand to prove
that there had not been bribery or perjury COM
mtted. This witness in the employ of the major
ty and had been examined i'll detail and u state
ment came from him saying he had perjured himself
The committee had the right to take the statement
The publication of the affidavit would do harm,
while it's suppression might convey the impression
that the majority of the committee were striving to
keep it from the public for fear of its effects.
Representative Cox, of Ohio, said the minority of
the committee took the more delicate to
the publication of the paper in asking that the mat
be considered in secret session of the committee
and he briefly argued in favor OF placing the paper
| on record.
| Representative Stengcr said he had no desire for
| any concealmenr: As to whether the paper should
be filed he left the determination of the question to
the committee 1t was very natural when person
accused of doing wrong. that he should be in
| formed who his accuser was. He found in connec-
ton with the affidavit letter from Mr. sheabarger
| the counsel of Secretary Sherman, but there
was no light thrown on the matter as
The letter says that affidavit forwarded to
Secretary Sherman and put into the hands of his
/ counsel He (Nr. Stcnger) had received letter. in
forming HIM how the affidavit came TO Secretary
sherman. If the affidavit should be received he
wished to show by whose agency theaidayit reached
the Secretary. Further than this there
placed in his hands statements as
TO all the facts concerning the affidavit.
be placed the record should the affidavit be placed
there. The affant. st. Martin, in attendance
here yesterday and to-day and conld readily be put
on the stand Mr. Shellabarger also in the
room. and the Secretary was. therefore, present
through counsel. So. if any attack was to be made
the Secretary's counsel. 1t seemed to Mr. Stenger
that this was the proper course.
PROPOSAL To RETURN MARTINS AFFIDAVIT.
Representative Blackburn said he took ii for
granted that nobody wanted to restrict the publicity
Of the affidavit 1t was the property Of Secretary
Sherman. How the Secretary came by il the com
mittee did not know III the person making the Aft
davit dead. there would be good ground for
making it part of the record: but when the mau
was not dead but sitting here, he could see no
reason for making testimony out Of statements when
nobody knew where and how and under what infu-
lowing
The committee having received and considered the
davn of = H. 81 Martin forwarded to the committee for
NJ e sherman r, by ms counsel.
20 e. i,n h, Shr,nan ,hs ~. 49,, ~..m 10 .ne
p"rine 20 have been made by one s. r. St. Martin and
forwarded committee 10y Mr. sherman request and
that the Chairman be further requested inform Mr. Sher
man that the said 81 Martin now present - this city and
, h. W a. a,b ,.i T., I'll 40, v hn leu
her of the committee.
REPRESENTATIVE Sprinyer said the only ,uost;op
was whether they wouII adont the attdav;t and iot
witness o or be VII and nlacc tho itnoss
rn tho Sand 10 nrcfcrred the latter ne ora, tas,;
n,onv Vas tbc hest
The resoution NJ Mr. pIact,,urp u,os tber .,read
IN Yeas-Nessrs Morrison Hunton NcNahon
blackburn springer ard the Cbairma,,-6 Nays-
Wcssrs Tcx ~ 0bio Reed and Iriscort NJ
Stepger ala NOT vote
A prcr,II,n coronrp wrrxrss
Thomas K.l,,.y tco,oredn was called "a n Witness
He had been subprnacd owing to a letter received
from him last year by the chairman of the commit
90 a. ,vi,;ch no .tat.I 10 ,as som,;ar ,..h a.
49, ~ W. + -, -. n. ~, a., 49,. =. ~, III