Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 February 1879 — The Potter Investigation. [ARTICLE]

The Potter Investigation.

John F. Coyle, one of the witnesses before the Potter Committee at Washington, swore that he went to Florida at the request of Cot Pelton. Edward Cooper gave him his cipher and instructions, and he sent telegrams to Henry Havemeyer. He was authorized to employ money, and did use about SIO,OOO. The witness gave an account of negotiations through Alexander Thein for the purchase of the Returning Board, but they were not concluded. Witness felt positive Mr. Tilden knew nothing of these matters Thomas C. Dunn, one of the South Carolina Returning Board, testified that he had been approached, pending the counting the votes of South Carolina, by one Hardy Solomon, who stated that he was requested to see members of the Returning Board and ascertain whether it was possible to enter into any negdtiations by which the vote of that board could be so shaped as to give the electoral vote of South Carolina, or a portion of it, to Tilden. Dunn and Solomon had frequent |nteryiew», at which the subject w»»

discussed. The argument that Solomon used was that he had been told by the Democratic leaders there that they had the Democratic strength of the State in arms and organized, and that they could put 4,000 men into Columbia on a few hours’ notice. They meant to take the State peaceably if they could, forcibly if they must* Witness*said that Solomon represented that there was an agent of Tilden in Columbia for the purpose of using money, if needed, to secure the electoral vote.... Gen. Barlow, of New York, Cold the committee how he happened to go to Florida. He said he saw Dr. Cowgill after the Returning Board had adjourned, and said to him he (witness) did not see iiow they could fairly give the State to the Hayes electors, and, if he were in Cowgill’s place, he should feel it his duty to give the vote to the Tilden electors. Witness said be 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 them William E. Chandler was called, and testified that Mr. Barlow was in Florida as counsel for the Republicans, and as such was under obligations to the members of that party. Mr. Barlow then defended his course before the Florida Canvassing Board, and said he did what he considered his duty as a person fjent there in the interest of honesty Louisiana politics were the subject of investigation by the Potter Committee on the 20th inst, United States Marshal Wharton being the only witness called during the day. The witness expressed the opinion that Mr. Wells was willing to sell out to the Democrats provided his price were proffered, i Maddox was supposed to have been theragent through which negotiations were carried on. Maddox at one time told witness that he believed if the State administration would give Gov. Wells what was regarded as its biggest offer, that Wells would be satisfied. Much evidence of the venality of Louisiana politicians was developed in the examination or Marshal Wharton.