The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-02-28
The Potter Investigation.

The Potter Investigation.
John Y. Coyle, one Of the witnesses before
the Potter Committee at Washington, swore that
he went 10 Florida at the request OF Col Pelton.
Edward Cooper gave him his cipher and instruc-
TONS and he sent kilograms 10 Henry Have
never He was authorized to employ money and
did use about $1,000. The witness gave an &C
count of negotiations through Alexander THEM
for the purchase of the Returning Board but
they were not concluded. Witness felt positive
Mr. Tilden knew nothing OF these matters
Thomas G. Dunn, one OF the Sonth Carolina Re-
turning Board, testified that he had been sp
preached pending the counting the votes of South
Carolina, by one Hardy Solomon, who stated that
he was requested to see members OF the Re
turning Board and ascertain whether IT was
possible to enter into any negotiations by which
the vote of that board could be so shaped as to
give the electoral vote OF South Carolina, or
portion of it, to Tilden. Dunn and Solomon had
frequent interviews. at which the subject was
discussed. The argument that Solomon USED was
that he had been told by the Democratic leaders
there that they had tile Democratic strength OF the
State in arms and organized, and that they
could put 1900 men into Columbia on a Few
hours notice. They meant TO take the
Stare peaceably if they could, forcibly
if they must Witness said that solomon
represented that there was an agent OF 11lden
in Columbia for the purpose of using money,
if needed. to secure the electoral vote.
]
how he happened TO go to Florida. He said he
saw DR. Cowgirl after the Returning Board had
adjourned and said to him he twitness) did not
see how they could fairly give the state 10
the Hayes electors, and, If he were In CowgilIs
place. he should feel it his duty to give tho
vote to the Tilden electors. Witness said
he could not be termed counsel TO the
Republican party although he wrote for
them opinions on points of law, and did other
legal work for chem . William L. Chandler
was called, and testified that Mr.. Barlow was in
Florida as counsel for the Republicans, and az
such was under obligations to the members OF
that party Mr.. Barlow then defended his
course before the Florida Canvassng Board,
and said he did what he considered his duty az
a person sent there in the interest of honesty
Louisiana politics were the subject of inves-
tigation by the Potter Committee on the 20th
inst, Upited States Marshal Wharton being the
only witness called during the day. The wit
ness expressed the opinion that Mr.. Wells
willing to sell out to the Democrats provided
his price were proffered. Maddox was
supposed To have been the agent through
which negotiations were carried on
Maddox at one time told witness that he be-
lieved if the State administration would give
Gov. Wells what was regarded as It's biggest
Offer that Wells would be satisfied Much evi-
denco of the venality of Louisiana politicians
was developed in the examination OF Marshal
Wharton.
The Potter Committee on Feb 81 held
rather unnterestng session, at which Manager
Whitney, OF the Western Union Telegraph
Company, said that within the last ninety DAYS
there had been rome kilograms withdrawn
from his office, which were sent TO New York
The kilograms were from Gibson, at
New Orleans, 10 the correspondent OF
the New York Sun at Washington
Gen Butler then crOss-eXamined Ma shall
Wharton, when it was brought our That Maddox
expected TO be appointed chief of the secret
service division, aud was to give witness
place Witness SAID that he had never made
any proposition 10 any member OF the Return
ing Board that would lead him 10 entertain an
idea that he tWhartonl wanted to buy him ont.
He was positive that If the board did It's duty
Hayes and Packard would surely be elected.
When the committee met on Feb oath, the
Chairman laid before the body an affidavit Of
c. w. Woollev Of Cincinnati. Offering TO flea
sworn statement Of his connection with the cleo
tious n Florida and Louisiana Mr. Woolley
being too uuWell 10 travel 10 Washington The
committee voted To- hear him ~ any
time but declined TO receive an
affidavit Mr Alez. Ihaiu. who is said
20 have offered TO sell the Florida Returning
Board, asked leave to tostifv. bar 100 action Was
taken by the committee James Ut Maddox.
reply hog to Marshal Wharton statements. said
that Wharton knew that Gov Wcll. was for
sale. and he propoa d thal they should
-ee Packard in regard t0 it, They talked
the matter over With h.m. and $50 600 was
mehuoued as the SUM tlat would Ne required
To-" days afterwards rs was suggested by
Wharton taa- Packard Shouts premise ir office
10 VOLS Maddox reported lhe conversation
to McII-. who declined the DIVER. Ne said tlat
J.. might Nan' t1 eAte Aeu 0Ileaa- and ODD
Hn o'f.N HH. - IT
IeHat acted Secretary tu.tI.e HeUuIa.
..n arua Comm .tt.0 of l.u..I..
protests made from st..I