, 1879-01-12
WASHINGTON.
The Lowest Depths of In
fanny Reached by the
Potter COM
mittee-
One st. Martins Heaves in
Sight and Tells a
Shocking Tale.
How Witnesses We're Bribed to
Bolster Up the Han
Til0en,
And How Republicans Subpenaed
Were Mostly Reported =.
Not Found"
The Whole Scheme One Of The MoSt Re.
markablc Put-Up Jobs
in History.
Representative Stenger Will
Endeavor to Pefute
Representative Stenger Will
EndeaVor to Refute
the Story.

EndeaVor to Refute
the Story.
ST. MARTINS.
THE BAD EGG ISCUrATED By THE POTTER
COMMITTEE.
Special Dixpatch to The Tribune
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 1.-THE Potter
Committee to-day had another wrangle over
the witness St. Martins and his famous adi~
davit, but neither the Democrats nor the
Republicans would assume the responsibility
for him. The Democrats, however, took
the extraordinary position that they would
not permit the affidavit to 60 rpon their Off
cel records, Notwithstanding it was made by
an employe Of the Committee, and charged
various persons, including member Of the
Committee, with very extraordinary if not
corrupt: transactions. However, the affi-
dayit will probably be made pub
Lie, and, as st. Martins may be
examined Tuesday next as witness, the
truth or falsity Of his charges may be made
apparent. The Democrats certainly ought
to be the first to demand an investigation, us
the charges are altogether Of too serious q
character to permit even days delay. A.
II. Gibson, correspondent Of the New York
!Suu, who is referred to in the affidavit as an
agent of MIR. Tilden, says that St. Martins
story as to himself is false and ridiculous !;
that St. Martins is now under indictment on
the charge Of having attempted to kill a
negro, and that St. Martins has himself &C
know1edged that this very affidavit was
made for money and the promise of political
office. -
Mr.. Stenger, the Chairman of the Sub
Committee to which the affidavit refers,
says that it would be- improper for him at
present to say anything about it. His
friends, however, it is, understood, are pre-
pairing a statement in which they will
charge that the affidavit is put-up job, ar-
ranged BY q Federal -otticeholder in New
Orleans, and that witness is not creditable
person.
Maddox, who is said to have been supplied
in some way with copy of this very at1davls
which the Committee has endeavored to
keep so secret, is not disposed to say any.
thing on the subject, and is reported by
some Of St. Martins friends as being very
much opposed to having St. Martins testify.
ST. MARTINS CHARACTER.
George II. Carter, known as Speaker C1r-
ter. said to The TRIBUNE correspondent
* Ny acquaintance with st. Martins is of re-
centdatc and very limited know, however
z+ 1,nt3 to nf nT r
is now under indictment for an attempt tt
murder colored man. From my knowledge
of the man and general information US to TIT
facts of the case, the reflections made OF
Stengor and others are, in my judgment, uu
lust and slandero,s. His allegations and in
timations, so far as they refer to me, are II
every particular untrue
Sill, with ell these denials, the fact stand:
that St. Martins asDeputy Sergeant-nt~Arm:
of the S1enger ub-Colnmittee OF the Potto
Committee in New Orleans, and that he is
we'll known 10 some, at least, Of the person:
whom he involves.
II will surprise no one to discover that +
L. Weber, the famous witness before tht
Potter Committee last summer, who disccT
cred tho alleged Sherman letter IN an o't
shoe-box at Donaldsonyille, is the perso1
whom St. Martins declares induced him t
first enter into this arrangement and inter
view with Democratic members Of ths
committee and the confidential agent:
cf rIden, whom ST. Martins calls Messrs
A. II. Gibson, J. H. Maddox, and Geors'
~. Garter. 1Ir. \. II. Gibson is the well
known correspondent OF tho New York sun
who has tnken so active part, 1t may al
most be said had the management Of th'
Potter investigation Ct its first stages. }. ID
Maddox is the man formerly Special Agen
Of the Treasury Department who was 81
;mnortant and sensational witness in con
nection with disclosures against Madiso1
Wells in New Orleans.
ST. MARTINS AFFIDAVIT
vos made ihc subject Of another animated
dthote in the Potter Committee this morn
inc. McAIahon objected to the reading o
It. He said that ST. Martins should make nj
| statement in regular order, and, If be va
nlaccd upon the stand md the affidavit pre-
sented to him, the Committee would deter
mine then as to its identification and ad1nls
sib;lity, but the idea Of allowing it to 60 o.
| tho record McA1alon characterized us pre-
nosterous, as Louisiana politicians don
o1vays swear to the truth. Rec
said statements in the affidavit ha
contained q charge with regard to membe
| of the Committee, Stenger. Under thes
circumstances the document should b
brought before the Committee. The matte
| should be brought directly before the Com
| mit,ee, so that the public may see the way il
which this thing has been treated. I'll
! Democrats unitedly opposed introducing III
| affidavit. Cox, Of Ohio, insisted that th
| Committee had
! 40 RIGHT TO SUPPRESS THIS AFFIDAVIT
| M matter if the affidavit involved ever
| II. ~ ~ ~ nyt1