The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1879-02-27
po,,er COMMITTEES Exnm,u.aou.

ouo VI VIC CaCuityJ AVk Sdi'on@As GNU oAs-
section.
Potter Committee Examination.
The Potter Committee met again at Wash
ington on the 18th, and pursued its investi-
cations.
John F. Coyle was examined at length.
He said he vent to Florida during the cleo.
ton of 1876, upon a request made to him
by Colonel Pelton. Edward Cooper gave
me my instructions, and also the cipher
key. He was to send his dispatches to
Henry Havemeyer. The instructions were
to 90 to Florida and aid the Democrats there
in obtaining all evidence, with a request to
secure a truthful count, to defray any ex.
penses requisite for that purpose. and to aid
them in any way he could. He was author.
lied to employ money, limited in amount
by his own judgment and discretion, and
authorized the expenditure of pretty nearly
$4,000, obtained through drafts on Cooper.
Number % Of cipher meant Ed'd Cooper
(vide dispatches). al have drawn on % for
SO and So" Witness had destroyed his key.
The dispatch stating "supply $1,000 to
credit of Woolley and Coyle" was a mis-
take, as he and Woolley never had any
transactions t gether that required money.
The Tribune published another dispatch, in
which he was made to say, "Only cash will
avail" This had never been sent by him.
Mr.. Reed-State details of 100000 propo.
sition made you. A. 1t was made me by
Alexander, the gentleman to whom Hewitt
introduced me before / left. Washington.
BE said to me the Returning Board could be
bought for 100000, but / had received a
telegram from New York c%autioning me to
have NO communication with the gentleman
to whom I had been introduced in the
National Committee room, SO I paid no at
tention to him.
@. Do you know if Governor Tilden knew
anything of these Dispatcher A. Well,
my knowledge of Governor Tilden and OF
affairs of the canvass would make me posi-.
tive he did not. Woo'ley once asked me ii
l had authority to draw any money. l told
him l had for legitimate purposes. Woolley
then inquired if 1 felt authorized to draw q
considerable sum. l think he mentioned
$4,000. "Under some circumstances
might be authorized to draw SO much"
told him,
Thomas c. Dunn, now residing in Bos
on, and in November, 1876, one of Ii
South Carolina Returning Board, testified
l asked to be summoned because, on read
ing the testimony given by Smith N. Weed
before the ub.Committee in New York, ]
saw my name was mentioned by him as be
ing one, at least, of the Returning Board
who made negotiations with Hardy Solo
mon for the sale Of the vote of that Board
and I decided to be called here that I might
SO far as l am concerned, and in vindicatior
OF the Board, assert that that is not true.
Q. State any conversation that you had OF
the subject of the Returning Board vote? A
Solomon came to me during the session o
the Board. He said he was requested to Sc,
the members Of the Returning Board and as
certain whether 1t was possible to enter int,
any negotiations by which the vote of tina
Beard could be so shaped as to give tn,
Electoral vote of South Carolina, or a por
ton of il, to the Tilden Electors. He said h
had been requested to undertake the bust
ness because there was great danger o
bloodshed and anarchy in that State unles
a peaceable so ution of the question coul,
be arrived at; that the gentleman VIII
spoke to him desired to have negotiation
with the Returning Board, but could selec
no more suitable person than himself, b.
cause he had personal acquaintance wit
all the members Of the Board and its prt
vious affiliations with the Republican party
l told Solomon it was utterly useless for hir
to talk of any negotiations with the Return
ing Board on such a point; that returns G
their votes without any dispute whateve
without entering into any of the dispute
or canvassed ~returns) showed clearly tn
election of the Hayes Electors, an
that the Returning Board of Sout
Carolina would unquestionably d
their duty in declaring thei
election if permitted. We had further COZ
versations on the subject. Solomon SCENE
unwilling to go back to those tor whom h
spoke with such a decided negative at tn
start. He talked still further, and undel
took to reason probabilities and to Civ
reasons why it was better to accede to wins
appeared to be the determination of til
Democratic party there to take the Stat,
Q. What arguments did he use? A. TIL
| arguments that he used, at least one of th
!, most prominent in my mind now, was ths
| he had been told by Democratic leade,
, there they had the Democratic strength
the State in arms and organized; that the
/ could put four thousand men into Columbi
| in a few hours notice, and that they NEAR
: to take the State peaceably if they coul,
forcibly if they must. The strongest in
preston left on my mindi in respect of wore
used, is that it was better to use gold tina
steel, and that was the reason why he can
I to see me.
The Potter Committee met on the 1st
inst, and resumed the examination
s Thomas c. Dunn, of the South Carolir
e Returning Board. He said: "Solomo
s represented that there was an agent
q Tilden in Columbia, Smith Weed, for IL
= purpose of using money, if needed,
secure the Electoral vote. Don't think
was possible to count in Chamberlain ar
2 Tilden, though 1t was impossible to 81
u what the court might do. Mr.. Solomt
wanted the Board to certify as the cou
directed. He never named the price Wit
q he came first. he said he was authorize
to use 800, 600, if necessary"
n Mr.. McMahon-How many Electors we
II the Returning Board to give to the Tild'