Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-01-30
NEW ORLEANS.
Ex.GOv. Wells Assassination
Story Dissolved into
Thin Air.
A Republican Tells a Story that
was Not BaTgained For
Kellogg Before the Congressional
Committee.

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 29.-The Congrcs-
sional Committee continued It's inyeStiga-
ton.
Dr. Scruggs was brought forward to prove
the attempted assassination of Gov. Wells
at the City Hotel. He said he saw no de-
mOustTatiOn Of violence; that he and Wells
were dining at the hotel together, and at a
table near by we're two drunken men.
Witness understood from Mr.. Watson that
they might cut up, and he insisted on
Wells leaving the house. The men said
nothing TO Wells, and it was only on wit
ness suggestion that he left. Witness
simply thought that the men, being drunk,
might become involved in a difficulty with
Wells.
Raiford Blunt, the colOred State Senator
from NatchitOches, prOfessed to be pretty
we'll acquainted with the people Of his
parish. The condition Of affairs there be-
tween the whites aud blacks was tOlerably
pleasant until June last, when a meeting
of taxpayers was held. 1t was proposed
to reduce taxes, and also demand the re-
signatiOn Of some officers. In July, the
Republicans held a maSs-meeting. Many
white men made suspicious movements,
and Mr.. Duplex, a white Republican, was
carried of. But he failed to tell whether
he-returned or what became Of him. The
police Jury did resign. On July p We
held a nominating convention in our
parish. Armed men were assembled in
room in town. / understood they were
there TO assassinate if we nominated a
certain District Judge and q certain Dis
trict Attorney. We did not nominate them
on account Of threats. He was told there
was no objection to him, yet be processes
to have been afraid, and to have slept at
home bus seldom. He says there was a
reign Of terror up to election day, but in
stances no facts to establish it. He said
the negroes are better of financially than
when they were slaves. Many Of them
have purchased property since the war.
More COlOred men have made money since
the war than the planters have. On cross
examination, he confessed that be taught
school and received 500 per month, and
when he did not teach he paid a substitute
$50 per month.
w. II. Maxey, Of Claiborne parish, was
the next witness, and he repeated the old
story about intimidation, murders, etc, but
his knowledge was confined to hearsay, eX-
cept in one instance, when a man said
openly to him, with his hand on his pistol,
that he would as soon eat bis (Maxey's)
heart as a beefsteak. The reason for this
plain speech is not given.
George Foster testified as to the con-
ditiOn Of Carroll parish, stating that it was
pesceable and that he heard Of no distur-
Dances. He knew of no Ostracism. The
great complaint there among the people
was high taxes. He never heard Of any
animosity toward Republicans on ac-
! count Of politics, but that it was
toward corrupt officials. Judge Wheeler
then questioned the witness as to the debt
of the parish, its amount and the purposes
| for which it was created. He answered
| that it had all been created since the war;
that the people complained Of the nature as
well as the extent of the debt. Complaints
were also made Of the derelictiOn Of the
parish Jurors, who had unlimited powers as
regards the assessments, etc. Mr.. Frye
| then put few questions as to schools, etc.
| Witness stated that they had no schools;
| that the Ofhce-hOlders squandered the funds;
| that he was told so, but did not know it
/ to be a fact; that he did not vote at the last
election, but would have voted for the Re-
publicans.
Kellogg Heard.
Gov. kellogg was before the Coneres-
sional Committee to-day. He made long
! statement, commencing with the Legisla-
| ture Of 1865, and coming down to the pres
| ent time. It differs from his testimony be-
fore the subcommittee only in beginning
| at an earlier date and in being more elabO-
rate.