, 1879-01-12

1LS OlI4Ela15.
stenger for the first time spoke on the
subject. He said he did not expect to con-
ceal the affidavit, and did not claim to. He
claimed to have information as to the mall
ner in which the document came into the
possession Of Secretary Sherman, and intl-
mated that improper means had been taken
to secure the affidavit,
Blackburn moved that the affidavit be re-
turned to Secretary Sherman, with notiti-
cation that the witness is present in the city
and can be- examined concerning it.
The Committee agreed to B1ackburns
motion, and rejected the St. Martins affidavit
by party vote.
THE LOUISIANA ELECTORAL CERTIFICATES.
The other witness examined to-day by the
Potter Committee was Thomas S. Kelley,
who formerly occupied position as messen-
ger of Gov. Kellogg in Louisiana. He iden-
titled letter us his own addressed to Potter,
in which he claimed to know all about tho
forging of the Louisiana Electoral certificates,
claiming to have marked the certificates him
self in such way that he could pick out the
false ones, and expressing his willingness to
appear before the Committee as witness.
He saw the frat set of certificates signed, also
the second. But Kelley 1nado some bad slips
i'll his testimony, as he had first swore
to the genuineness of the signatures OF
Levissec aud Jatfrian to the very duplicate
Ect which it has been the purpose of the
Democrats to prove to have been forged.
The crisis of his investigation was reached
when the question was put to him by the
Republicans, Did you yourself forge the
names OF certificate No. = of Jaffrian and
Levissee? Upon this point Kelley asked per-
mission to hnve the advice of counsel before
answering, which WAS granted The inquiry
developed the fact that the members Of the
Potter Committee are not agreed as to the
nature and effect of the statute which CON-
pels witnesses to testify before Congressional
Committees whether or not they incrim1nated
themselves.
BEFORE THE cotMITTEE-
To the Western Associated Press.
WASHINGTON. D. c., Jan. 1.-THE Potter
Committee to-day considered the question
whether the affidavit Of St. Martins, the
former Deputy Sergeant of the Com
mitee, confessing that he had sworn falsely
before the Sub Committee, and casting i'm
putations upon Representative Stenger in
that connection, should be placed upon the
stand.
Mr. AIcl1ahon favored the latter course,
and Messrs. Reed, Cox (Ohio), and Hlscock
advocated placing the affidavit on record
Mr.. Stenger said it was natural that any
body who is accused Of crime should be con-
fronted with the accuser. Therefore, if the
so-called affidavit was admittedEto record, he
should ask that certain papers in his posses
sion, showing under what circumstances the
| affidavit was procured, ETC., should also be
| recorded.
| After further debate, the resolution offered
by Mr.. Blackburn was adopted by party
yote,-Democrats, 6; Republicans, 3,-thEt
the Chairman return to the counsel Of Sec
| retary Sherman the affidavit, and further in
form Mr.. Sherman TINT st. Martins Will be
examined touching the matters embraced IN
the affidavit, should Mr. Sherman or any
member of the Committee SO desire.
Stenger did not vote.
| THOMAS S. KELLEY
J (co1ored), who sent the letter to the Chair
man some time ago, stating he was familiar
with the fraudulent Louisiana Presidential
/ certificates, and had placed marks on them
to prore it, testified That in December, 1876, he
was Gov. Kellogs's messenger; was present
| when the first certificate was signed. Witness
| nointed out the signatures of Jeffrian and Lev
isscc, two OF the Presidential Eectocs,a as havin!
| been forged.
Tie CLairmau-It has been said YOU forged
! these signatures. What have you TO say 10
that's
Witness-I can't answer that question.
Mr. Cox-Did YOU sign either Of the names
OF Jetfrian or Lcyissce? 1
| Wirness-The general suspicion is | signed
the paper. II ! should now say signed IL
and it l should say | did not, they would say it
! was NO more than they would expect.
Witness later informed tho Committee they
were not familiar with the laws OF Louisiana,
and if he should say Ae did forge the names
they could not protect him. lie finally cx-
] pressed wish to consult counsel before answer
Ing the question 49,,
The Committee then gave him till Tuesday
morning next to frame response, and ad-
journed till that time
ST. MARTINS,
in bis affidavit, attributes his appointment as
| DEPUTY Sergcant-at-ArmS OF the Committee to
Ncotr, and says: was induced to leave my
| hUmt 10 DOnal0SOATlle, l4d., Nv NcuEI. auA III
[ teryicw Democratic members OF the Committee
and confidential agents of Samuel j. Ti]dcn,- 4.
| II. Gibson, J.. Il. Maddox, and George ". Car
ter 1t interviews with the agents {gcneraily !
saw each separately / BECAME convinced that
tacv desired special service, and wcrc Interview
iun inc for the purpose OF determining whether
| was discreet and reliable and that their plans
might he safely intrusted to ulc tor execution.
Maddox revealed the service was expected tu
| perform:
Firstly, the journey to St. James Parish tc
subpoena Arn,stead, Duncan, aud Steward, but
not to serve s'1bpc.uas until had first ascer-
tanned that, when placed upoc tue stand before
the Committee, tncy could give the testimony
des!rct. by rilden's agents.
Secondly, to secure such testimony, was au
thorizcd to offer
J. / HOPE or REWARD,
| aud the further assurance that they would be
| permitted to return to their homes in Fciciana
| Parish from which they had previously beer
driyen) aud guarantee OF immunity IRON
molestation in future.
Thirdly, the testimony desired from Arm
stead Duncan, and Steward was q retractior
and denial OF the material facts in their &xami
nation before the Returning Board as tb out
| ragcs, Intimidation, etc, in Fclciana far1sh
From conversations with Arrnstcad and Stew
ard became convinced that they would prove
plant witnesses. I brought them to the cit!
and took them to Wcbef's room. I then 1e
norten to Maddox and the Committee that wit