The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-01-26

d upon appointed. Randall, who repaired
d the parish, was driven from the parish by IL
people, whereafter Reidheimer filed Il
d Returning Board refused to canvass the r
d turns from that parish. There was also ev
g dence setting forth intimidation in the parish
In all parishes where there occurred il
, Formally and intimidation, witness entere
protest.
i The witness here branched out upon til
t law governing the Returning Board, and dwel
principally upon the third provision, whicl
instructs the Board relative to intimidation
, The witness here brought forward a sum
mary of all evidence which he, as counsel
had filed with the Returning Board, and CAV
} the committee the benefit of it. He said tina
} in the parish Of Bienville there was no Re
publican ticket put forward for the reason
!; that it was deemed dangerous to do so. Man,
OF the people there were engaged in the Cou
shatta affair. There was very general intimi
dalton in the parish of Caddo.
Witness then referred to the parish of Avoy
Giles and cited poll twelve where the box wa!
stolen. The Republicans were given one
hundred and fifty majority, but upon what
grounds the witness could not elucidate The
witness continued giving from his summary
the substance of his evidence, which he filed
before the board, and the protests made by
him in all the cases.
In answer to question from Mr. Frye the
witness mentioned the various offices held by
him at various times and the one now filled
by him, which is Register of the State Land
Office. Never made protests upon general
grounds of intimidation; always supported
such protests by testimony. The act Of 1872,
as its now appears was prepared by witness.
Thinks that the record Of the Forman Board
established precedent for the action of the
present board; doesn't know positively, but
thinks its does.
The witness was after this closely cross
examined by Mr.. Zacharie, in reference to all
| that he had mentioned. He professed not to
be well posted, as to whether the Republicans
did or did not poll full vote in the parishes
of Red River and Grant.
Regarding threats against the members of
the Returning Board, he related that he was
present one day when man (Baily Vinson)
entered the room and asked Gov Wells what
he (Wells) intended to do. Saw an an
onymous letter sent to Mr.. Casanave, threat
ening him, and persons told witness that it
was unsafe for him to be upon the streets
He feared he would be assassinated.
On one occasion, early IN December, the
Returning Board was informed that they
would be mobbed, and an investigation
proved that such would have been the case
had the board not adjourned hurriedly.
GOV WELLS
was summoned, and said that from the report
OF the Congressional subcommittee he felt
constrained to make a report which he was to
lay before the Legislature, and a copy of
which he now offered to the committee as his
statement.
1t is quite lengthy, and after reciting the
law under which the board acted goes on to
recite the reasons for rejecting the returns
from parishes and polls which were rejected.
The narrative is replete with startling asser-
tions, and really gives more narrowing pic
ture of the prosecutions practiced by
Conservatives throughout the State than was
drawn by Ole Feel before the committee at it's
previous meeting.
In his narrative he makes the startling rev.
elation that while at dinner on one occasion,
in the City Hotel, two men attempted, and
would have assassinated him had it not been
for the timely Intervention of the proprietor |
It is evident that Wells and Ray are endeavor-
ing, by recitation of these assassination |
stories-their own experience-to impress the |
committee wildly with an idea as to the |
treatment of all unwavering Republicans.
They still live, however, and thrive, and,
possibly, the committee, in considering evil
dence on that point, will make note OF this
fact
Gov. McEnery and other State officers adj
dressed a letter to the committee last evening,
N which they make the same proposition
relative to the election of 1872 that was made
@ the Foster Subcommittee. The letter was
delivered to Chairman Hoar last night, after
he adjournment, by MI. Zacharie. i
Herewith is given a copy of the letter:
New ORLEANS, Jan. Is, 1875.
Ion. George F. Hoar, Chairman Congressional
Committee:
During the recent visit Of a portion of the
committee of which you are chairman to our
;ity, VIM. P. Kellogg, Acting Governor of
he State, having expressed a willingness to L
ubmit the results of the election of 1872 to
hat committee for canvass and settlement,
We, the undersigned, on the 9Th day of Janu-
ny, addressed communication to the same
,ody "a copy Of which is herewith inclosed),
expressing also our willingness that the same
committee might ascertain and declare the
esult of said election.
We now desire to express our perfect readi-
less to accept the full committee as arbiters r.,
f this same matter, and to abide by its decsi-
On, provided our opponents will make q
imilar declaration.
As Gov. McEnery is now under summons
D produce the official returns of the election ,
f 1872 before the United State House Com ,
llttee on privileges and Elections, we respect !
lily suggest that your committee could per- y
,rm the labor at Washington without great .
Interference with your congressional duties =,
hopld it be necessary or advisable by you to :
ave counsel on both sides to explain any 8
oints in connection with the returns not ap- :
aren't on their face, this could be provided y
". a
In asking your committee to assume the
elicate and responsible charge we are not .
'rgetful of the sacrifice it necessarily i'm q
oses, but have been led to believe that you \
i'll assume it from the high public character =
ou enjoy before the country, and the urgent q
ublic necessity, both to the State and the .
alton, that there should be speedy end to Z
le great disturbance and scandal to which =
le situation in Louisiana has given rise since q
le election of 1872 Having perfect con- VI
dence in the justice of our cause, we are >,
illing to make the submission without reser- #
ltion.
JOHN MCENERY, 4
d. B. PENN, =,