Year: 1878

own accord, and that left the Impression
on my mind that the charge made In the
Democratic paper was true, but upon
looking at the date Of the letter and the
date Of my conversation with the Presi-
dent found be had already directed his
commission 10 be withheld. No conyer.
satiou that had With the President pro.
ceeded on the theory that be had been
dealing with him on account Of any i'm.
portant service that he had done.


By Mr.. Butler-Q. Have you at any
time attempted to give the Presidents
words exactly in this interview? A. No
sir, I told the story as Il lay in my mind
at the time / repeated 1t.


Q. Have you not said this substantial.
ly that you asked the President how he
came TO make IN appointment Of such .
man, against whom such charges were
made, and be said he was possessed Of
some political secrets.


Q. Didn't you use the words Political
Secrets" A. No, sir, / did not-I am
absolutely certain ! did not say so to any.
body. The words political secrets"
were never used by the President and /
do not think that ever used the words in
speaking 10 anybody Of 1t.


Q. Have you never used these words
in speaking Of that: "the President said
be was appointed on account Of matters
not best TO be known7 A. No sir, have
not; and I want you TO understand that
I do not propose TO make any answer that
will reflect upon the President


Q. Why not, II it Is the TRUTH A. /
will tell you why; because l propose TO
state exactly what took place. and not
give any halfway answers which may
reflect upon the President. Ihaye told
In substance all that took place. Wit
meas further said that answers could not
be placed in his mouth. II It was not
the pleasure Of the committee to accept
his statement as he pleased 10 make 1t,
which was the facts as they occurred, they
might wait until December next. when
probably they might get the details OF the
affair.


Q Have you given any person what
ever to understand that the President
said to you or gave you to understand
that Anderson was possessed OF some po.
litical knowledge that 1t was rot best to
have made public? A. No, sir, and the
President did not say any such thing.


@. Please state what reason the Presi-
dent gave for this appointmentS A. His
statement was to the effect that this man
had been good Republican and had done
good service In the Republican ranks in
Louisiana; that was the substance OF II.


By Mr.. Butler-Haven't you stated to
anybody that the President said to you
that because Anderson had more know
ledge Of political atfairs in Louisiana,
that it was necessary, convenient, or
proper that his appointment should be
madeI A. Not to my recollection; may
have conveyed that impression 70 several
people, but az to stating It - the words
Of the President, l am confident l have
never done so.


Q. Have you stated that in substance
"a 10 what the President said! A. l have
done so.


Q. Did you state il trulyI A. ] stated
truly as 1t remained in my mind, and |
wish TO say right here that I repel the 10.
situations that have not told the truth
at all times, and II necessary | shall pro-
tect myself ssainst such imputations.
The other members Of the committee
have scted as gentlemen towards me, but
Gen. Butler has acted the part Of q
rowdy, and desire the chairman to call
his attention 70 the fact and II the com.
mittee will not protect me 1 will protect
myself.


BY Mr.. Bu,ler-Where were you when
the McVeagh Commission went down to
Louisiana? A. l was in Washington.


Mr.. Cox-I desire to take the sense of
the committee as to whether we propose to
20 into the question Of the doings OF the
Mcyeagh Commission in April, 1877, or
whether We have the authority to do so
under the resolution Of Congress, under
which We are acting?


The committee then went into secret
session to consider this and other mat.
ters connected with the workings Of the
committee, and shortly after adjourned
until Tuesday.