Rensselaer Union, Volume 11, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1879 — Democratic Villainy. [ARTICLE]

Democratic Villainy.

Thu following is the substance of an affidavit made by St. Marfin, the former Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms of the Potter Committee. It gives an insight into the methods of the Democratic members of that inquisitorial body, and furnishes the best explanation of the fact that they were unwilling that it should go on the record. It is too damaging. They hope to break its force by captious cross-examination, and so the Democratic majority voted to have the affiant before them for personal examination. The substance of the affidavit is given neyerthojeM: BL Martin, lAhls affiflivft, attribute* hia appointment as deputy B<*rgeant-at-Arm» of the committee to water, and «*ff*» “I was Induced to leave my borne at Donaldsonville, La., by Weber, ana Interview the Democratic members of tbe committee and the confidential agents of Samuel 3. Tilden, A. M. Gibeon, Z H. Maddox and George W. Carter. At. Interview* with agent* (generally I saw eaeh 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 plflte might be safely intrusted >to me for execution. Maddox revealed the service I was expected to perform: Firstly, a journey to St. James’ Pariah to aubpana Armstead, Duncan and Steward, but not to serve the eubpmna until I bad, fiist ascertained that, when placed upon ths stand, before the committee they would give the testimony desired by Tilden’s -agtents; secondly, to secure such testimony I was authorized to offer hope of reward and further assurance that they would be oerroitted to return to their homes tn Feliciana Parish(from which they had previously Deen driven), and a guarantee of immunity from molestation in the future; thirdly, the testimony desired from Armstead, Duncan, , and Steward was the retraction and denial of tbe material facts in their examination before the Ketstrning Board as to outtakes, intimidation, etc., in Feliciana Parish. From conversations with Armstead, Dunsan and Steward, I became convinced that they would prove pliant witnesses. 1 brought them to the city and took them to Weber’s room. I then reported to Maddox and the committee that the witnesses were in the city. Maddox wrote but, in affidavit form, the evidence each was expected to give before the Potter Committee. I carried these affidavits from Maddox to Weber. Tbffle affidavits were read tbe they promised Duncan 160, Armstead SBO, and Steward SBO, for such testimony. Weber “teoached” tbe witnesses by repeatedly reading to each the testimony expected, and he furnished Stenger with questions to be propounded the wituess•e, and the answers the witnesses had agreed to give. I carried such lists from Weber to Stenger. Ib the performance of my duty as Deputy Berg«? antra ‘' Armß > 1 y aa placed in possession of the .übpoenas, and in twelve or thirteen cases, where i2 e names oi witnesses had been furnished by Iu7 ,ub * lcan counsel, I was instructed to report tbC per ‘ sons not found. I was instructed by SteC' ger, Chairman of the sub-committee, that in cases where the witnesses subpeenaed would not furnish the evidence desired by the committee or unfavorable to the Democracy, to return the subpeenas and report the persons not found. I was introduced by Weber to Mr. Dula. Weber said to Dula that if he would give certain evidence before the committee he eould secure 1200. Dula refused the offer. He remained in the city, and was almost constantly at Weber’s room. The offer was raised to.tSOO, and proposed and accented in my presence. Weber then drilled him in hia lesson. The day previous I heard Weber say to Dula he eould not absolutely close the bargain until he had seen A. M. Gibson. Dula appeared before the committee, but instead of the evidence which he agreed to give he testified differently, and exposed the whole plan—how he had been offered a bribe by Weber, and that I was in the-reomwhen Weber made

the proposal. At the instigation. of Gibson I went Upon the stand to contradict Dula'a statement. Befort testifying Gibson asked me if I would deny the testimony of Dula. I replied) that Dula told a pretty straight stpry, and I feared the cross-examination of Cox. He then asked Weber where the money was that was to be given Dula as booh as bis testimony was completed (provided be had testified as desired). Weber took the-money out of his pocket, $450, wrapped up in white paper, With Dale's name on it Gibson took the package and gave it to me. I gave my testimony before the committee. Afterward I returned the money to Weber. 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 mopey, and the Chairman of the committee had full knowledge of this. fact. Maddox repeatedly told me that Gibson was Tilden’s outside agent, and he would secure all the money desired from Col. William T. Pelton, of New York. In May last, prior to Weber’s departure for Washington, he came to me add stated that be deaired to go North, and was going to see Sec’v Sherman, and in tbe event that the Secretary did not provide for him suitably, and accede to his many demands, he wished to know if I would testify that I had seen the “Sherman letter” inexistence; and, further,, that I had witnessed him (Weber) destroy it. I told him I could not and would not. Weber told me positively that no such document as th* Sherman letter had ever been seen bv him, and he had no belief in its existence. Weber told me on his return from Washington) that he was approached by George W. Carter and A. M. Gibson and offered SIO,OOO if he would give certain evidence before the Potter Committee. He wished to have the money down before the testimony was given, for the reason that he feared that these people (Carter and Gibson) would not act in good faith. After considerable delay Weber said Carter gave him SIO,OOO just before he went upon the stand, and Weber said had it not been for this sum the testimony would have been favorable to the Republicans and to Seo’y Sherman. la addition to the money-reward, SIO,OOO, Weber told me that-Garter and Gibson guaranteed that the alleged defalcation of Weber as Treasurer of the School Board of West Feliciana should be settled, and he be •relieved from that account.' I have hsd porr«Spbnd«ice With Gibsap and Maddox to secure compliance with'that portion of the agreement relative to the School Board,at the request of E. L. Webeq, The affidavit was swam to Jisfora United States iJornmissioner Woolfley, at New Orleans, Dec. 2,1878. ' '