Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1879 — THE POTTER COMMITTER. [ARTICLE]

THE POTTER COMMITTER.

Before the Potter Investigating Committee, holding its session at Washington, the counsel of Secretary Shermau offered as evidence the affidavit of one St. Martins, who was formerly a Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms for the committee, confessing that he had sworn falsely before the sub-committee last winter, and casting imputations upon Representative Stenger in that connection. The committee decided by a strict .party vote to return the affidavit to the counsel of Secretary Sherman, and that said counsel be instructed to inform Mr. Sherman that St Martins would be examined touching the matters embraced in the affidavit, should Mr. Sherman or any member of the committee so desire. St. Martins’ affidavit is, in substance, that his appointment as Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms was procured by Weber, on condition that he would perform certain service that would prove advantageous to the Democrats in the investigation. He says: “ I was induced to leave my home in Donaldsonville, La., by Weber, and interview Democratic members of the committee and confidential agents of Samuel J. Tilden, A M. Gibson, J. H. Maddox and George W. Carter. At interviews with the agents (generally I saw each separately) I became convinced that they desired special service, and were interviewing me for the purpose of determining whether I was discreet and reliable, and that their plans might be safely intrusted to me for execution. Maddox revealed the service I was expected to perform: Firstly, the journey to St. James parish to subpeena Arm-

stead, Duncan and Steward, but not to serve subpoenas until I had first ascerj tained that, When placed upon the stand before the committee, they could give the testimony desired by Tilden’s agents. Secondly, to secure such testimony, I was authorized to offer a hope of reward, and the further assurance that they would be permitted to return to their homes in Feliciana parish (from which they had previously been driven) and a guarantee of immunity from molestation in future. Thirdly, the testimony desired from Armstead, Duncan’ and Steward wife <a; retraction and denial of the material facts in * their examination before the Returning Board as to outrages, intimidation, ete., in Feliciana parish. From conversations with Armstead and Stewand I became convinced that they would prove pliant witnesses. I brought them to the city and took them to Weber’s room. I then reported to Maddox and the committee that wit-

nqgsas weft in thecity. Maddox wrote out an affidavit form of the evidence each was expected- t<4 give before the Potter Committee. I caHriflrl these affidavit* from Maddox to Wetwr. Those nesses, and they were promised, Duncan 960, Armstead 980, and Steward 980 for snch testimony. Weber “coached” witnesses by repeatedly reading to each the testimony expected, and he furnished.Steßger with questions to be propounded to the witnesses and answers witnesses had agreed to give. I carried such lists, from Weber to Stenger. In the performance of my duty as Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms, I was placed in possession of the subpoenas, and, in twelve or thirteen cases where the names of witnesses had been furnished by Republican counsel, I was instructed to report persons not found. I was instructed by Stenger, Chairman of the sub-committee, that in cases where witnesses subpoenaed would not furnish the evidence desired by the committee, or unfavorable to the Democracy, to return the subpoenas and report the persons not found. During the entire session of the committee in this city Maddox, Gibson and Carter were busy influencing witnesses by the use of and offers of money, and the Chairman of the committee had full knowledge of this fact. Maddox repeatedly told me Gibson was Tilden’s outside agent, and he would se. ure all the money desired from CoL William T. Belton, of New York.” Representative Stenger emphatically denies the allegaticns of St Martins, says the affidavit was procured by corrupt means, and that affiantcis a bigger liar than Jim Anderson. Messrs. Carter, Gibson and Maddox also make counter affidavits, pronouncing the statements of St Martins false so far as relates to them.

FOBTY-FIFTH CONQBESS. Tuesday, Jan. 7.—Senate.—Bills were introduced and referred as follows : By Mr.. Booth, for the interchange of subsidiary silver coin and United States notes; by Mr. McDonald, to authorize the taxation of outstanding legal tenders... .Mr. Edmunds said that on this glad morning of the new year, when there were peace and joy and hope everywhere, he thought it best to offer a resolution tending to cement more perfectly the good will and harmony now existing all over the country. He therefore submitted a resolution declaring thatin the judgment of the Senate the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments to the constitution of the United States have been legally ratified, and are as valid as the other parts of the constitution; that it is the right an* the duty of Congress to enforce such amendmentsJjy appropriate legislation, and the duty of the executive department of the Government faithfully and with diligence to impartially execute such laws; that it is the fluty of Congress to appropriate money to that end instructing the Judiciary Committee to report a bill for the protection of the rights of citizens and the punishment of infractions thereof. Laid on the table at the request of Mr. Edmutids, to be called up hereafter... .Mr. Voorhees called up his resolution instructing the Judiciary Committee to inquire into the expediency of making the trade dollar legal tender, and providing for its recoinage into the standard silver dollar. He addressed the Senate at length, denouncing the trade dollar as fraudulent money, which, having failed in its mission abroad, had returned home to cheat the honest people of this country... .A large number of committee reports, petitions and communications were presented. -

House. —Mr. Acklen called attention to the scandal in Louisiana with which his name is associated, and presented a resolution to authorize an inquiry. Defeated, on the ground that the resolution did not embrace a question of privilege... .Mr. Kidder introduced a bill for the admission of Dakota as a State. Referred.... Mr. Ryan introduced a bill extending the time to pre-emptors on public lands who have suffered by prairie-fires. Referred.... Mr. Carlisle introduced a bill to include newspapers, periodicals, and proof-sheets in mail matter of the third class. Referred.... Mr. Waddell. Chairman of the Committee on Postoffices and Post-Roads, reported a bill relating to the classification of mail matter and the amount of postage thereon. Ordered printed and recommitted... .The Geneva Award bill was called up and discussed... .The deaths of B. B. Douglas, of Virginia, and A. 8. Williams, of Michigan, were then announced, and the House, in respect to their memory, adjourned. Wednesday, Jan. B.—Senate.—Mr. Edmunds said there were no joint rules between the two houses of Congress, and he, therefore, submitted a concurrent resolution declaring that on the last three days of this session no bill passed by either house shall be sent to the other for its concurrence, and on the last day of the session no bill shall be sent to the President for his approval. He said he hoped this resolution would be passed, and Congress devote the last three days of the session to consideration of bills pending between the twoTiouses. Referred... .Mr. Grover, arising to a personal explanation, denied seriatim the published charges that some $97,000 of the public funds of Oregon had been expended and net accounted for during his administration as Governor of that State.... Consideration was resumed of the bill to amend the “Patent laws,” and Mr. Wadieigh took the floor, but was interrupted by a message from the House announcing the : death -of Representative Hartridge. Senators Gordon, Booth and Beck were appointed a committee to accompany the body to Georgia. House. —Official notice nf the death of Representative Hartridge was taken, and Messrs. Cook. Frye, Cox, Cabell. Stone, Davidson and Hanna were appointed a committee to accompany the remains to Georgia.' Thursday, Jan. 9.—Senate.—Mr. Beck called up his resolution of the 7th inst., referring to the Committee (in Finance the answer of the Secretary of the Treasury to the resolution of Dec. 3 relative to the amount of silver coin received in payment of customs dues, and its disposition. He criticised the answer of Dec. 3. and said that specie resumption had been reached by the ruin of hundreds of thousands of the best men of the country. He quoted from the answer of the Secretary, and spoke of some of it as nonsense. He showed scant respect for the Senate and none for the law. The Secretary was the trustee and agent of the people, and not of the creditors of the Government. He had no right to allow the bondholders to say in what coin they would take their interest. Mr. Beck then argued that the Secretary had increased lhe interest-bearing debt of the United States $105,000,000. This was not a very flattering exhibit, when business of all kinds was so depressed. Unless the Secretary could show some law authorizing him to divert silver coin from the purpose for which it was intended, he was guilty of official misconduct ... .The resolution deferring the answer of the Finance Committee was then passed, and the bill to amend the Patent laws was taken up, and Mr. Wadieigh spoke in favor thereof. At the conclusion of his remarks the Senate went into executive session, and when the doors reopened took a recess until 3 o’clock.... Upon reassembling, the Senate, headed by VicePresident Wheeler and Secretary Gorham, proceeded to the House to attend the funeral of the late Representative Hartridge, of Georgia.

House.—Out of respect to the memory of the late Mr. Hartridge, no business was transacted by the House. In the afternoon the funeral services of the deceased member were conducted in the Hall of the House. Friday, Jan. 10.—Senate.—Ths Committee on Naval Affairs was directed to inquire into the expediency Of providing -that the -Chiefs of the Bureaus of Steam Engineering, Provisions and Clothing, and Medicine and Surgery at the Navy Department be selected from officers whose relative rank is not belo.W._Jtbat of Captain... .The Indian Appropriation bill was passed.... Mr. Allison, at the request of Mr. Kirkwood, introduced a bill to provide for an additional bounty to soldiers of the War of the Rebellion. Referred.%.. The petition of Dr. Mary E. Walker for a pension was also referred. House.—Mr. Gunter, Chairman of the Committee on Private Land Claims, reported a bill for the relief of Myra Clark Gaines. Ref erred.... The William and Mary College bill was taken up, and after a long and lively debate was defeated —87 yeas to 127 nays... .Mr. Hatcher introduced a bill to declare forfeited the lands granted Missouri to aid in the construction of the Iron Mountain railroad. Saturday, Jan. 11.—Senate.—Not in session. House,—After the reading of the journal, the death of Representative Schleicher was announced, and Messrs. Giddings, Shelley, McKenzie, Mueller, Loring, Brentano and Townsend were appointed a committee to accompany the remains to San Antonio. The House then adjourned as a further mark of respect. ' .