The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-01-17

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Before the Potter Investigating Committee,
holding its session at Washington, the counsel
of Secretary Sherman offered az evidence the
affidavit of one ST. Martins, who was formerly
a Deputy Sergeant at Arms for the committee,
confessing that he had sworn falsely before the
subcommittee last winter, and casting imputa-
tons upon Representative Stenger in that con-
| nection. The committee decided by a strict
party vote to return the affidavit to the counsel
OF Secretary Sherman. and that said counsel
be instructed to inform Mr.. Sherman that st
Martins would be- examined touching the mat
tiers embraced in the affidavit, should Mr.. Sher-
man or any member of the committee 30 desire
St Martins affidavit is, in substance, that his
appointment as Deputy Sergeant at Arms was
procured by Weber, on condition that he would
perform certain service that would prove adj
vantageous to the Democrats in the investigation
he says: Il was induced TO leave my home
III Donaldsonville, La. by Weber, and inter
view Democratic members of the committee
and confidential agents of Samuel j. Tilden, A.
III. Gibson, j. ii. Maddox and George W. Car
ter. AT interviews with the agents generally l
saw each separately l became convinced that
they desired special service, and were inter
viewing me for the purpose of determining
whether was discreet and reliable, and that
their plans might be safely intrusted 10 me for
execution. Maddox revealed the service was
expected TO perform: Firstly the journey
TO st James parish 10 subpoena Arm
stead, Duncan and Steward, but not to
serve subpGnas until / had first ascer-
tanned that, when placed upon the stand before
the committee, they could give the testimony
desire by 11lden's agents. Secondly, to Sc
cure such testimony was authorized to offer
hope of reward, and the further assurance
that they would be permitted to return to their
homes in Felicisna parish from which they
had previously been driven and guarantee of
immunity from molestation in future. Thirdly,
the testimony desired from Armstead Duncan
and Steward was a retraction and denial
of the material facts in their exami-
nation before the Returning Board IA to out
RACES, intimidation, etc, in Feliciana parish.
From conversations with Armstead and Stew
and became convinced that they would prove
plant Witnesses / brought them to the city |
and took them to Webers room. / then re- |
ported to Maddox and the committee that wit
nesses were in tho city. Maddox wrote out an |
affidavit form of the evidence each was expect
ed to give before the Potter Committee. ] |
carried these affidavits from Maddox to
Weber. These affidavits were red TO wit
nesses, and they were promised, Duncan
$50, Armstead $50, and Steward ESQ for such
testimony. Weber coached witnesses by
reading TO each the testimony ex-
pected, and he furnished Stenger with questions
TO be propounded to the witnesses and answers
witnesses had agreed to give carried such
lists from Weber to Senger la the perform
ince of my duty as Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms, l
was placed in possession of the subpGnas, and,
n twelve or thirteen cases where the names of
witnesses had been furnished by Republican
was instructed to report persons not
ound ! was instructed by Stenger, Chairman
# the subcommittee. that in cases where wit
lesses subppnaed would not furnish the evil
ience desired by the committee, or unfavorable
o the Democracy, TO return the subp0nas and
eport the persons not found During the entire
ession of the committee in this city Maddox, ,
iibson and Carter were busy influencing wit p,
esses by the use of and offers of money and
he Chairman of the committee had full knowl-
dge of this fact Maddox repeatedly told me $
iibson war Tilden's outside agent, and he S
'ould secure all the money desired from Col. i
William T. Pelton, of New York. Hoppe !
entative StengoI ernphe,ically denies the allo-
aticns Of 81 4rtins, says the affidavit was c
REQUIRED bv .rupt means, and that affiant is !
bigger i nan Jim Anderson Messrs Car l
n, Glib and Maddox also make counter affi- o
aviie. pronouncing the statements OF II
!. ans false SO far AZ relates TO them.