The New York herald., 1874-12-31

He would take or his coat and walk up and down
the room, threatening; heard nothing but white
all the time. We were surrounded BY police, and
might have been murdered without my friends
knowing it.
EVENING SESSION.
S. P. Packard, United States marshal, sworn,
said:-I am chairman OF the Republican State
Committee; l was a member OF the Advisory
Board organized by the two parties alter
September IA, which continued some time
after the close OF the registration; this
Board had charge OF all matters OF registration
and election. We attempted to secure fair
registration and election, il possible. heard sew
era complaints from different parts OF the State.
l know that 1t was our endeavor to have far
registration, and the Governor agreed that the
opposition should have clerk at each ofice
Certain parties were removed upon the com.
plant OF the democrats. There were generally
satisfactory reports from the republicans. The
reglstraton complaints came from St. Martins and
the Red River parishes In the latter locality
there were numerous complaints. There were
about 10000 more black men registered. From
st. Martins reports came to me that the parish
was being patroied by white men at night. One
of my marshals with scme United States troops
were met and halted by rhe patrol. 1t is claimed
that this diminished the registration 800. In the
Red River parishes 1t can be shown that
large numbers were prevented from voting
through fear. In that locality there
are four Congressional districts. The
Fourth Congressional district in 1870 wen
about 5000 republican majority, in 1872 the vote
was about the same as at this time. Then
there was not so much intimidation used
as craft. The tactics or the two years
were entirely different. | had deputy
marshal in Nachtoches for several weeks
alter the election. He reported very bad cond-
ton OF AFFAIRS. l sent to these parishes-5t. Mar
tins. Rapides and Nachtoches-some OF my most
trusted men. At st. Martins one man was ar.
rested. Express Instructions were given that no
interference should be made with their votes, but
OF course the deputies had
NO CONTROL OVER THE PARTIES
who gave ball. The parties all under bonds to
appear before the United States Court. There
were no arrests made for the purpose OF in
timidation, although the charge was very
generally made. Complaints were made in the
parish of ST. Martins because the registrar Jailed
TO connne himself to the white settlements am
not aware tnat there were any general COM
plants; but there were some in Lincoln parish
l regard the marching and drilling OF an organiza-
tion known as the White League as being cause for
intimidation among both white and black repub-
hcans. For some time after the election 1t is
impossible to form an accurate idea OF the results
Republicans thought they had carried the State.
A disagreement caused the resignation OF the
umpire OF the Advisory Board, who had
charge over registration the Governor agree
ing to act upon their suggestions. My i'm
preston Is there was q representative OF the
democratic party IN every registration ONCE In
the state, and certainly at every polling place.
Benyille, which in 1872 gave 400 republican votes,
did not give one this year. Ny lnforma-
ton Is that the blacks who were reg
istered were AFRAID to vote. / have no
doubt that some blacks voted the democratic
ticket and some white republicans failed to vote.
Previous to the late outbreak IL was plainly ap-
parent that an organization, known as
the White League, existed. They drilled
IN the streets generally without arms
The attention Of the Advisory Board was
called to the TACT and, at the su question OF the
democratic members the drilling ceased. The
organization has never been dsbanded, but very
many more have joined 1t since September.
witness believes that no republicans belong to
IT, and certainly no colorcd men. They
DRILLED CONSIDERABLY.
After the 14th day OF September there were
three regiments OF federal troops the State ani
three or iour troops oil cavalry. There was q re-
view OF the troops very early one Sunday morning
before the election. The White League occu-
pied the State House after the Kellogg govern
ment got out of 1t. There was only one
company here on the 14th, who came at my in
stance from Jackson. Had the troops now here
been here then there would have been no change
IN the government. IL is reported that the White
League exists throughout the State, and particu-
larry In Caddo and st. Martin. 1t consists
OF companies, regiments, brlgades and di-
visions. some are organized as militia under
the McEnery government. stated before Con-
gressonal committee more than year ago that
IN all States wherein tho blacks were in the ma
ority 1t required the presence OF troops TO sustain
them on election day. Troops were stationed
at the Marine Hospitals, NJ police stations and
at the Custom House. The idea was to
keep the peace, but prevent the soldiers IRON
going near the polls. Ardavlts were made against
parties at shreveport tbeeatenlng TO discharge