Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 June 1878 — THE INVESTIGATION. [ARTICLE]

THE INVESTIGATION.

The Committee resumed the inquiry into the alleged Louisiana and Florida (mod*, on theßth. McKinney, Deputy Clerk of the Supreme Court, testified that the printed copies need by the Electoral Commission bad been compared with the original certificate* before the Inveatigatins Committee, and fonnd to be exact conies. The Commission dealt mainly with printed paper*. At thin point there waa a slight paasage-at-arma between Mew*. Cox and McMahon. the former charging the latter with mumming the position of connnel for the prosecution. and the latter retorting that the former amumed the role of defender of fraud. Mr. McKinney rammed: He bad lately, at the suggestion of Mr. Garfield, examined the certificates in the printed volumes containing the record of the proceeding* of the Electoral Commission, and found that aome of them were duplicates; oonld not explain how they became mixed and duplicated. Gen. Garfield had told him that the charge had been made that some of them were forged. Mr. ljeviaaee waa recalled and made some corrections in hi* previoua testimony, among which was one denying having told Aaher that he would take (tSUO.Uui and refuse to accept hia Electoral ticket. In reply to an inquiry relative to any further facta concerning the attempted brilie, he stated he hail revealed the fact* to Pitkin, to whom he proposed to draw the briber* out, with a view of finding out who the parties behind them were, and to keep them from attempting to bribe anyone else. He had not the slightest idea who signed his name to the alleged forged return*. Hon. Thomas W. Ferry testified that he did not receive the first return from lsmisutna by messenger because it appeared to be informal; did not learn that the return was defective in containing hut one list of votes for President and Vice-President. The return need in counting the votee wait the one received by mail. The witness further testified that in all respects in receiving returns he had acted impartially, and did not know their contents until they were opened in joint meeting. He did not know that any signatures to any of the Louisiana returns were forged. He had not heard any doubt expressed as to the genuineness of the signatures until within the last four or five weeks. He had first heard of it from Gen. Garfield. He thought that the second return was received by another messenger. The Chairman laid before the Committee a letter received from Hon. Stanley Matthews, in which that gentleman declined to appear before the Committee. Ills reasons were his Senatorial privilege, his sense of duty to the Senate, and the fact that a Senatorial investigation into iiis connection with Louisiana affairs was then pending. Mr. llntler expressed himself as amazed at the course of Senator Matthews, and submitted a resolution that a subptena be issued to Mr. Matthews, in due form, to summon him to appear before the Committee and testify. Mr. Cox spoke at some length in favor of the adoption of the resolution, as did also Mr. McMahon and Mr. Heed. The resolution was then adopted and the Committee adjourned until the 10th.

The committee resumed its investigation on the afternoon of the 10th. Timothy Griffin, a clerk in the office of the Secretary of the Senate, was sworn, and said he had fonnd a paper authorizing Thomas C. Anderson to act as messenger to bring the Louisiana returns to Washington. He produced the paper signed by all the Electors. Elijah L. Bngbee, manager of the Atlantic & Pacino Telegraph Company, was the next witness. Mr. Butler conducted the examination and asked for the production of a certain book containing copies of telegrams received for delivery. Witness said he had been unable to produce the book called for because the rats had destroyed it. Mr. Butler produced the original of the Bolles Baker dispatch, directed to Lieut.-Gov. Young and A. E. Lee, of Ohio, in which the demand was made that Southern men be given positions in the Cabinet, which witness identified as having passed over the line. The reply thereto by Gov. Young was also exhibited and identified. Mr. Cox said the foregoing was interesting as a matter of political history, but he did not think it relevant testimony. Mr. Bntler insisted upon its relevancy, saying that, in accordance with Baker's suggestion, the President had appointed Mr, Key to a Cabinet position, and that Bolles Baker had been given the best position in Key’s gift, Mr. Roach, a clerk in the appointment office of the Postoffice Department, was called upon to give information in regard to Baker’s appointment, bat testified thathe did not have charge of the books and papers, and knew nothing about it. Fred B. Billey, another clerk in the Department, testified that he had known Baker as a special agent in the Rpring of 1877, and that he went out of office in August, 1877. The witnesses were directed to appear on the following day with the records, or the accounts, appointments and recommendations of Bolles Baker as a special agent, and with like information as to George A. Howard, formerly one of the Assistant Secretaries to the Electoral Commission.

The Committee resumed its session, on the morning of the Uth. The Chairman presented a letter which he had caused to be sent to Mr. Matthews, with the subpoena, in which he stated that the Committee did not desire to interfere in any way WithTus duties as Senator, and that there would be every disposition to meet his convenience in respect to the time of his attendance. Mr. J. E. Anderson was recalled and questioned relative to the appointment of his brother to a position in the Philadelphia Custom-House. He stated in substance that he had told Gen. Smith that he would withdraw all claims he might have upon the Administration if the appointment were made, and gave a letter to that effect. Witness identified a letter toLieut.-Gov. Antoine, rent daring the time he was Supervisor of Registration, in which it was intimated tliat bull-dozing was going on in the parish. In explanation, he said he derived his impressions from the statements of his Republican friends. He had called npon Gov. Kellogg after his return from the parish, and advised that the election be allowed to go by default, as a basis for a claim of wholesale intimidation. The Republicans of the parish thought the advice good and carried it out. In explanation of his testimony before the Senate Committee, he said he had made as good a Republican case as he could. Witness clearly remembered the circumstances attending the Weber agreement, and said the signature of Weber had not been forged thereto. Jaa. A. Boulds, an Appointment Clerk in the Postoffice Department, stated that Bolles Baker entered the service Oct. 16.1876, under the administration of Gen. Tyner. He was dismissed April 1, 1877, and appointed special agent April 17. 1877. In regard to Howard, his recommendations were signed by Senators McCrary, Hoar, and others.

Ex-Congressman Darrell testified that he first became acquainted with Matthews in New Urleans. Had visited him to urge the appointment of Packard as (V,Hector of the Port of New Orleans. At first he opposed the appointment, but after Anderson had seen him he withdrew his opposition, but said the President did not want Packard appointed. He thought that Anderson's and his own influence were the reasons why Matthews changed. After Packard was dropped, some of his friends had proposed biinself for the place, and Anderson and Matthews had promised to help him. Witness knew Mrs. Jenks; had seen her in Washington in January, at which time she told him she had the Sherman letter, and was going to use it to help Packard. She had denied, subsequently, that she had it. He believed Anderson had a copy, and perhaps others. He had talked with Matthews, in March last, and he had told him that the papers in Anderson's hands were of no account, and that Sherman had never written the letter Anderson claimed he had. Sundry letters from witness to Anderson were identified and read. In February, 1878, he had been informed that negotiations were pending, between Anderson’s attorney and Tilden and his friends in New York, by which the docnmente and letters in his (Anderson’s) possession w.ere to be surrendered, and had become uneasy. Anderson had snbseqnently told him that they were to be published, and that the upshot would be that Matthews would lose bis seat, He had therefore written a letter, on the 3d of March, the object of which wastoprevent snch action on the part of Anderson. Witness stated further that the understanding with Matthews was that he should be appointed Collector, and that then the compromising letters shonld he surrendered. In reply to a question from Mr. McMahon, witness said no Louisiana appointment had yet been made except as recommended by Thomas C. Anderson and Wells, of the Returning Board. They had certainly defeated Packard and secured Smith’s appointment. He had as late as the 21st of April wiilten to Anderson and requested him to bring his papers. He bad never seen them but he desired to look them over and see whether he had any which would cause Matthews to render the desired assistance. He had been told that copies of the documents hsd been in the New York Sun office, since December previous, and also in the hands of Senator Conkling, bnt knew nothing certain about it.

The Bearing before the Potter Committee was resumed on the 12th, Ex-Congressman Darrall testified that, in the spring of 1877, Anderson had told him that his protest id regard to intimidation in his parish was correct. He stated that Anderson had later told him that he had seen Matthews and threatened him with the publication of his letteis and other documents, and that Matthews told him to go ahead, and pnblish them if he .fished. Subsequently Matthews had told the witness that he would have nothing fnrther to do with Anderaon if he intended publishing the documents. Witness said he had seen the Nash documents, which Nash told him be bad signed in a foolish moment. Anderson had told him that he intended to pnblish it and ruin Nash. Witness had never conversed with Sherman about the so-called Sherman letter. bnt believed that such a letter existed, and bad seen whnypurported to be a copy in Anderson's hands. The witness further said that Anderson's reputation was fair in New Orleans. After the appointment of the Committeelwitness had written to Anderaon. telling him that he had not been treated right, and advising him to “pitch in and expose the psalm-singing hypocrite at the White House.” Witness was examined at considerable length' in 'regard to the circumstances attending the advent, in New Orleans, of the visiting statesmen, and stated that Anderaon. had then given to Judge Harlan, to Whom Behad a ’letter Of introdtration from Mr. a oopy or the original Weber affidavit. Witness had first beard of the Shsgman letter from Anderson, before Jan uar.v f knew the nse Anderson intended to make of the document in his possession, and that snch use was blackmailing. He detailed the circumstance* attending his visit to Mr. Matthews: how he had discussed with him the question of bis appointment to the Collectorahip:

how be had told him of Anderson's intention to hand the document* over to the New York dan, etc. HbCksi had told him that be had had the same information from Democratic source*, and tliat he did not care what disposition was made of hi* letters. They also talked of the Sherman letter. MaUhtws said that in aw of witnrea' appointment or the appointment of some one satisfactory to him and Anderson. Andemon should be willing to surrender the uapere and documents he hadmid forego any clafmThe had cn him (Mat the as) or the Administration. The witness further said that he me< Matthews in the Senate Chamber, and the latter mentioned first the subject of Anderson's interview, saying that Anderson bad called upon him and spoken very roughly to him, and hud made threats of the implication of tbeas document*, or noronlhing of that kind, and he told Anderton that be felt very much hurt and disgusted at that action; that he had been doing all that he could in accordnnco with Anderson s wishes, and that ho liad told Anderson that he did not want to see him any further, and that he might do as he pleased with the papers and documents, and that he would drop him, and he said substantially the same to me—that it was no use trying to do anything with such a man, or somethingof that kina; that he was unreasonable and expected him to do more than he ixiuld do, and that he had done the liest he could under the circumstances, and that he was drtr rmined to have nothing further to do with Anderson. Wm. H. Seymour, of New Orleans, a Notary Public, identified his signature and seal, attached to the Anderson and Weber agreement. He did not remember the contents of the paper. H. A. Wilder, who introduced Anderson to the Notary Public Seymour, detailed the circumstances attending the signing, and stated that he and his partner witnessed the document. Thomas C. B. Smith, late Appointment Clerk of the Treasury Department, testified that he first sawJ.E. Anderson a year ago. He brought a letter from Mr. Matthews recommending his appointment to some office. Several telegrams and letters had passed l etwern him and Mnttbews in relation to Anderson. Witness read one in which Matthews advised that Anderson be dropped if he were not satisfied with the office witness offered him.

Gei)L Smith, late Appointment Clerk of the Treasury Department, was recalled on the 13th, and testified tliat he had fonnd one letter referred to his Department recommending Anderson's appointment. Witness had had but one interview with the President in regard to Anderson. He had seen the letter written by Anderson declining the position of Inspector of Customs and also Matthews' letter advising bim to drop Anderson. He had appointed Ande son s brother to a clerkship for political reasons and believed in snch appointment. Mr. Butler asked witness with whom he had counseled on the preceding night, and Mr, Cox objected. A long discussion ensued, at the conclusion of which Butler stated his object to lie to prove Bmith an unwilling witness. Thereupon Bmitb, after having scored Mr. Butler and lectured him upon his duties asa committeeman, asked the protection of the Committee. The investigation was resumed, mid Bmith stated that he had not counseled with J udge Bhellnbargcr or Mr. Wilson. Witness then described bis interview with Bec’y Bherman on receiving ttie note from the Committee, requesting the production of the letters relating to the Anderson matter. He had shown the Secretary the letters and he had read them. One letter from Matthews, recommending his appointment, had been fi st. The President declined to see Anderson, when witness informed him that he would not take a place worth less than *3,(XX) a year, and said he did not think any such recognition of his services was required. The President bad no objection to appointing him to a minor position- After further testimony of the a-unc purport, the Committee adjourned. The Potter Investigation Committee commenced proceedings, on the 14th. by going into secret session for the consideration of the report of the Florida Sub-Committee. A recess was subsequently taken, and it was not until four o’clock p. m. that the investigation was resumed. Orlando H. Brewster, one of the members of the Louisiana Electoral College, testified as to the circumstances attending the count of the Electoral votes of his State and the signature to the certificates of election. Two or three weeks after the signing he had liecn told that there was a clerical error. Beveral of the Republicans thought this was of no great consequence, but to be certain, a new set should bo made out. Witness subsequently signed the new set. He identified his signature on the returns which were shown him by the committee. The Chairman presented a letter from the Secretary of State in reply to the resolution of the Committee asking for copies of all communications received from the Commission sent to Ixiuisiana in 1877, etc. Mr, Evarts stated that the President doubted the authority of the Committee todemand such information, and he had therefore sent the information direct to the House of Representatives for such disposition ns it might deem necessary.

THE FLORIDA SUB-COMMITTEE. The investigation was continued on the Bth. At the session on the day before Mr. Hiscock submitted resolutions, which were rejected—yeas. 1; nays, 2—asking summonses for J. B. Bryant, J. W. Howell and several hundred persons in Alachua and Baker Counties, Messrs. Hunton and Springer voting against the resolution on the ground that the testimony of such parties would relateto asubject beyond the jurisdiction of the Committee. The more important evidence on theßth was as follows: C. H. Edwards. Connty Clerk of I .eon County during the last election, testified that Joseph Bowes, one of the Inspectors of Precinct No. 13, had told him tliat he (Bowes) had got or put into the ballot-box seventy-three or seventy-four "jokers,” and when witness remonstrated with him for the bungling manner in which he had done the thing, thereby getting .the party into I rouble, that lie (Bowes) had said he cudn t care, that these extra votes had given Hayes a majority in Florida; Bowes had told witness that the poll-list had been mode to correspond with the number of fraudulent votes put in. Bamuel McLin, of the State Canvassing Board, testified at considerable length relative to his action in the election last fail; was shown a number of telegrams to Gov. Steams, mostly from W. E. Chandler, setting forth in a general way that the Presidential election and the salvation of the country depended upon the vote in Florida, and that an effort must be made to give the vote to Hayes; no mode was pointed out. except that an effort be made to get the returns from the different counties; with regard to the visiting Northern Republicans, it had been reiiresented to witness, by Gen. Wallace, that if Haves’ election was secured, members of the Returning Board would betaken care of; witness had never gone-to Noyes to ask for anything, nor had Noyes ever come to make him any promises, though he had come to witness atter the canvass and thanked him for the action he (witness) had taken and congratulated him on the result, and said witness had acted nobly; had written one letter to Mr. Noyes; what Surported to be a copy of such letter was prouced by Mr. Hiscock. which witness could not positively identify, but which embraced the ideas entertained by him at the time, and in which he asks for a good word to the President, but says he does not prefer nnv claim on account of the recent canvass, as he had only performed his duty conscientiously, etc.; in his answer Mr. Noyes had said the tone and temper of the letter from witness was so good that lie had forwarded it to the President, and urged him to give witness an appointment; witness had had Driggers’ return from Baker County read in the canvass because it appeared to be properly certified and seemed to be the most favorable to the Republican party; had read the other returns; did not suppose it to be necessary to have but one return so acted upon, and did not present the other two till called for by tbs Democrats; the first canvnss. after throwing out several precincts, gave Hayes 800 or 900 majority, and the second 211 majority; if Clay and Baker Counties had been canvassed the second time as the first, it would have given the State to Tildon.

McLin continued his testimony on the 10th, and detailed his appointment as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of New Mexico. and his rejection by the Senate, which rejection he attributed to the personal ill-will of Senator Conover; the President had told Cowgill that he was under both political and personal obligations to Cowgill and witness; Cowgill was appointed to an Agency in the Treasury, but declined to take it; among the prominent actors in the Florida election in 1876 the following had been provided for as stated: Gov. Stearns was appointed on the Hot Springs Commission; J. W. Howell is now Collector of Customs at Fernandina. Fla.; Joseph Bowes, Election Inspector, is in the Treasury at Washington; William H. Vance, Clerk at Archer Precinct No. 2, has a Federal position at Washington; K. H. Black, Inspector at the same precinct, has a Federal clerkship in Philadelphia; Bell, Inspector I in Jefferson' County, had received a Federal ap- | pointment, but was since removed; George H. , Leon, Inspector in Leon Connty, is a clerk in the Treasury at Washington; Dennis, of Alachua Gqpnty, had recently a position in the Treasury; Moses J. Taylor, one of the Returning Board of Jefferson, is in the Land Office at Washington; l pending the close of the labors of the State Cant vassing Board, Gov. Steams said to witness he thought it of some importance that the first reading before the Board of the face of the ret turns should show that Hayes was elected; Steams saw the returns as they were received by him. and said the result would be very close; Driggers’ return from Baker being the most favorable of any of the returns from that (ounty. Steams desired witness to rend that to the Board in preference to the others, as it was really the only properly-made return. When the visiting statesmen were at Tallahassee, witness was tola by W. ] E. Chandler, Gen. Lew Wallace, probably Gov. Steams and others, that Noyes represented Gov. Hayes; Noyes assured witness that Louisiana would he all right for the Repnblicans, and talked'of everything hanging on Florida going for Hayi s; he to d Witness Hayes and be were bosom friends, and he had come at the special request of Hayes; witness did not remember thqgf Noyes directly made promises of anything further than that members of the Canvassing Board would he provided for; this was both before and after the canvass. Gen. Lew Wallace was very active in getting up testimony before tins Board, and getting in returns and evidence in the contested precinct* and counties; said he bad been telegraphed to by Hayes, requesting him to come to Florida, and said, liefnre and after the canvaas, he was Hiti.fied that if Hayea became President he would take pleasure in providing for the Repnblicans of Florida. Witness said his party feeling had more to do with his couree in the Board than any other cause: did not I now that be was directly influenced by promises of office, though these were not without

profit went.' be oraSfninsa mucMjj*,awbng'hi* vote one way as the other. Witness bad come to the conclusion that if the Board had followed the instructions of the Supreme Court of tho State, had counted the precinct* which were thrown out by them, and had thrown out the Counties of Alachua. I-eon and Jefferson, in which fraud had evidently been oommiUed. toe State certainly went for Tilden; the. facts leading to this conclusion had oome to his knowledge since the rsnea*. Witness then detailed ooufraniona of fraud made to him by Howell, then Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue, and L. G. Dennis. On examination by Mr.'Hiscock, witnem testified that no direct offer* of money were made to either Noyes or Stearns to inffneaee hie official action; on one occasion Mr. Manton Marble, after assuring Witness of his Imlief that the Btate hud fairly given its vote for Tllden,ar.d that fraud was resorted to by Republican* to give the State to Hayes, made an appeal to bun to do his duty; witness replied that if he felt thrt ilayis was elected he would die in tint ditoh before be would givo up the Slate, to which, hs alleged, Marble said, “There is no danger, if yon do right, of your dying in the ditch or dyng poor; ’ think Mr. Marble had subsequently.made h public denial of having approached witness. Witness testified that at the time of the canvass Such excitement prevailed, and that he received reatening letters from anonymous sources, and atone time was in fear of bodily harm, because when returning home one evening, with two friends, he was apparently accompanied by a man on horseback, unknown to him, tbongh neither on this nor any other occasion whs violenoe attempted against him; afterward witness was cautioned by Marble against a man reported to be on the way from New York claiming to represent Tilden, and alleged to have money from him for the purpose of influencing witness in bis official conduct; Marble emphatically asserted that Tilden knew nothing of any such man, and had nothing to do with such diameters as he, and would countenance no snch proceeding. Witness did not at the time understand, from the representations made by Noyes. Wallace and others, that they suggested to him anything that was immoral or wrung, but that, they were simply commending him for doing what was riant, at the same time conveying the assurance thathe would be provided for because of the service he was rendering. Witness bad no knowledge at the time of the canvars of the frauds narrated by him in his published affidavit, and bis present knowledge of them was confined to representations made to him by the authors of them; in some of the instances they came from disappointed office-seekers, though Bowes and Howell and others had been provided for. and were bolding office under the Administration; he believed these representations to be trnc from his knowledge of the men. L. G. Booth (coloied). Inspector at the Richarriron Precinct, Linn County, at the Presidential election, testified that he saw none of the seventy-four "little Joker" tickets about the place, or voted that day, and the first he knew of them was by seeing them in the ballot-box on counting the vote with Bowes and Dent, the other Inspectors; none of them live within ten miles of tne voting place.