The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1879-02-06
potter InvestIgatlOn.

Ew YoRK, February 1.-The Potter
5mmittee commenced proceedings at
fth Avenue hotel Mr. Springer. of
fmmittee, stated that the inquiry viii
shed right through with the view Of
Ildsng by Saturday noon. In reply to
ancstion as % whether Governor Tilden
been subpenaed Mr.. Springer said:
has not and / have my doubts as to
nor he viii be. This, however, does
ualke any material difference, for in any
we shall give him an opportunity of
ring before the committee" Smith
Feed, of PlAttaburg, New York, was
irst witness. He testified that he was
orth and South Carolina during the
on: witness had cipher when lie
iere which he used from both North
South Carolina he destroyed both the
and ciphers Of the dispatches, but said
ust confess that the dispatches as pub
10 the Tribune were pretty correct.
lbia he was informed the State had
>Satic but the canvassing board
certificates to that effect I'M
~ for it. He telegraphed
kg if money could be
The dispatches between my
and Henry Havemeyer have
ben the only ones / sent. He received an
sWer which he understood to be an assent
b the proposition. Finally definite prop
Dsition was handed me saying that for sixty
81 seventy Thousand dollars the South Caro-
Ina canYassing board would make things
q right for the Democrats. He loft for
Baltimore, and there he met Col. Pelton,
vho informed him that the matter had
&Qme 10 the knowledge Of Mr.. Tilden, who
eDlused to allow any money to be used.
Hampton, Senator Gordon, and Mr.. Haskell
& had no knowledge Of the negotiation. Al
Though he had destroyed the cipher key, he
knew that all the dispatches published in
. tho Tribune were not correctly rendered; no
money was paid by him, or any one to his
,nowledge 10 the South Carolina registering
aard H@.read the dispatches signed ''W''
Gle tribune and denied sending them in
form published. The dispatch con
ling the majority Of the board have
b secured, etc., were substantially cor
he did not go to Florida; never had
thing 10 do with a plot to buy four
sbers Of the South Carolina Legislature.
e Springer asked, chad you any commu-
nication on the subject with Mr.. Tilden from
The da y before the election either directly
ndifectly up to the time the South Caro-
canvassing board met, or did you have
afterwards!" Answer-"Yes / met
him at the Everett House, he took me to
task, but can't give you the exact account
5cpt the proposition and that he never au-
hoFized any such proceedings; that while
be lived he would not become president I'M
der such circumstances.
y NEW YORK, February 6.-The Potter
investigating committe resumed session this
morning. and Manton Marble was examined.
1 His answers were given with marked pre-
cision, and his manner thoroughly self-po-
.1essed. He said he..went to Florida to look
. after the election vote, butt could not say
that he .wentI there under the instruction
Of the Democratic Congressional Committee
DID not go at the request of Tilden or any
pne else; he called on the Governor
he evening he left and simply
BID him good bye; had no conversation
lked with Randolph, Blair and Fox OF
subject Of his journey. i think l got &
her nom Mr.. Pelton at the Everett
lpse and used it subsequently; sent nc
HAMS, and received none from Governor
Awho addressed his kilograms to Pei
Aobject in going to Florida was tC
the electoral vote. Let me here
the cipher dispatches as
The Tribune, so far as l am
lol'c5fned, me simply rubbish. My dis
patch to Senator Gordon says, "Tell Cor
don, therefore, it is the truth, and being
made at the time proves this" have al.
ready published statements of what did
and did not do. One OF my statements was
\published in January year ago; the other
rub-a-dub, was published in the Tribune
or months. What did not do was to buy
the Florida votes, and they were for sale.
would like to submit these letters if the
committee has no objection.