American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-02-01
The Potter eouimsttee.

The counsel of Secretary Sherman SUBJ
mitted to the Potter Investigating Commit
tee, in session at Washington, an affidavit
made by st. Martin, a former Deputy Ser
that he had sworn falsely before the SUBJ
committee, and casting fmputations upon
The Committee considered the question
whether the affidavit should be placed upon
stand, and Due after some debate "P the lat
ter was agreed to by party vote
chairman h return to the counsei Of secretary
sherman the affidavit, and further inform
Mr.. sherman that Mr.. st. Martin will be ex-
affidavit, should Mr Sherman or any mem
Der Of the committee SO desire. MFR. stense.r
s1 1i is as ST. q Marlin
that he received his appointment as Deputy
err. that he had various interviews
with Democratic members of the Com
A. na GeeGge with Carter and atSer
representing themselves as agents of Samuel
them as to- the the service he Was eSpected to
perform, viz, to subpoena a number of per-
sons in st. James Parish to testify before the
committee, first ascertafning, however, that
they would give the testimony desired by
Tilden's agents, and to secure such testimony
pecuniary reward. Weber coached the wit
nesses after their arrival. and furnished
Stenger, one of the Committee, q list of ques-
lions to be propOunded and the
swers witnesses had agreed to give.
Af1iant was also instructed by Stenger, in the
case of witnesses subpenaed by the Repubh-
cans, to report the person not found. During
the entire session of the committee in New
Orleans, Maddox, Gibson and Carter were
busy influencing witnesses by the and Of
fers of money, and the Chairman of the Com
mittee had full knowledge of this fact. Mad
dox repeatedly told af1iant that Gibson was
Tilden's outside agent. and he would secure
all the money desired from VIM. I. Pelton, of
New York.
Mr.. Stenger denies the entire truth Of this
affidavit so far it relates to him, and claims
to have documents in his possession showing
by corrupt and illegitimate means He will
also submit a counter affidavit of Messrs.
Gibson, Maddox and Carter, denying SO far
they are concerned the truth of every in
furious statement in st. Martins deposition.
PERSONAL tesfimony of St. Martin instead of Of
his affidavit, and expects to be able by cross
examination to show the motives by which
expose the persons who instigated them
Thomas S. Kelley, colored, testified that
in December. 1885, he was Gov. Kellogg's mes
senger; he was familiar with the fraudulent
naced MARKS 4non them re identifV
them; witness pointed out the signatures of
1o3 and deyissee as having i'm been
until he had an opportunity to consult coun-
sell Being subsequently recalled, witness
said that Jotfrion'S name was forged by ID. r.
blanchard, II clerk in the Governors office;
only Blanchard and witness were present
when it was done. He was not quite
positive that Leyissee's name was
forged to the document blanchard
has since died. In answer to Mr.. Cox,
witness said that one Maddox had come to
see him regarding his testimony, represent
ing himself coming from the committee;
that he was offered as an tnducement to testf
fly that no questions should be asked him to
injure either him or his friends, and as fur
tIer indpcement that he might go off a con-
siderable distance, say to San Francisco. and
could then be summoned back, profiting by
said that the only difference in the certif
Gates were in the handwriting and makeup
these were the marks he designated and no
others.