e terms in which the majority, in their report, have characterized
that person, warrant us in declaring our opinion that when the
character of that witness and his testimony were discovered, it
was the duty of the majority of the committee frankly to abandon
their effort to discriminate between Mr. Sherman and the other
gentlemen who were associated with him."

Shortly afterward I wrote the following letter to E. F. Noyes, then
United States minister at Paris, whose name was mentioned in the
resolution of investigation:

"Washington, D. C., April 1, 1879.
"My Dear Sir:--Your letter of the 18th ult. is received.

"The report of the Potter committee, which you correctly pronounce
to be infamous, was received in silence and was scarcely printed
or noticed in the newspapers of the United States two days after
its presentation to the House. It was then severely handled by
the Republican press and treated with silence by the Democratic
press, and now it is not mentioned. I think that neither of us
should complain of any injurious result from the Potter investigation;
although it was annoying, it was fair and creditable both to the
committee and many of the witnesses. But for the expense and
trouble of the investigation, I am rather gratified that it occurred,
for the feeling of the Democratic party, over what they supposed
was a fraudulent return, would have deepened into conviction, while
the investigation tended on the while to repel this suspicion.

* * * * *

"Very truly yours,
"John Sherman.
"Hon. E. F. Noyes."

Another investigation into the conduct of the department was
inaugurated by J. M. Glover, of Missouri, who, on November 6, 1877,
introduced into the House of Representatives a resolution directing
the several committees of the House to inquire into the conduct of
the different branches of the public service coming under their
charge, and the committees on expenditures in the several departments
to examine into the state of the accounts and expenditures of the
respective departments submitted to them. This resolution in
substance was adopted January 11, 1878, and Mr. Glover was chairman
of the sub-committee to examine into the conduct of the treasury
department. He came to the department and every facility was given
him for examination. He was allowed experts to aid him in the
work, and continued the investigation for two years until the close
of the Congress. His committee incurred much exp