The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-02-09
LOUISIANA.
rHEINvEsT1aAf1Na COMMITTEE

2 TESTIMONY ON THE ELECTION.
STILL THE EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES GOES
ON-EvIDENCE OF REPUBLICANs-A PULL,
FAIR AND FREE ELEcrION-EFFECT OF THE
PRESENCE OF TROOPS.
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. Sat the congress
sional committee investigation to-day the
following witnesses We're called by the con-
serystives: Lieutenant Edward a. Belger,
Sd infantry, was sworn. He was stationed
at Alexandria. He arrived there on the
10th of October. The troops under the wit
ness's command were stationed in the court
house yard and are still stationed in the
town of Alexandria. He was present on
the day Of the election, and noted that in
Alexandria the election was, in every way,
quiet one. He has observed no evidence
of hostility in the community to the gem
eral government The election was held In
the court house. DIR. Alfred Duperion re-
sides in Parish Iberia. He voted for Gen.
Grant, and in the election of 1872 canvassed
the parish for Gov. Kellog. Shortly after
thewsr Grant bad many supporters in the
parish. Much OF the present trouble was at
tributable to bad legislation. Monopolies
burdeniDg the people have been created.
The judges Of the inferior courts sometimes
are not able TO interpret the law, or are too
preiudiced and fail to apply it. Many erirn-
inals go unpunished. Considerable ignor-
ance exists among the white people of the
parish. and more among the blacks. The
deputy tax collectors are sometimes the law
makers. They receive fifteen per
cent for collecting and levying the
taxes. Before the war this cost
three per cent. Although he had taken a
decided start against secession and had CO.
operated with tho republican party, he has
never been ostracised. He has always been
kindly and considerably treated by the in
telligent portion of the community. A
great many negroes voted with the conserve
tives because they were disgHsted with the
republican party. They had never received
any OF those things which were promised to
them. Mr.. Wheeler desired to know what
would be the most Rceep able TO the majority
of the people, recognition of the kellogg
government or provisional government.
The reply was that the recognition of the
Kellogg government with the legislature
elected last tall would be the most accept
able to the majority of tho people in the wit
ness's section of the country. An
drew j. GoTdsn has lived three
years in st. Mary's parish. He is a
man of education and teaches the cOlored
public school. He voted the compromise
ticket at the last election and anterior Co
that the republican ticket. He does not
know OF any instance of violence to negroes.
The only intimidation practi, ed WAS that by
the negro leaders. The election was free and
fair. When the troops came the negroes said
they we're sent TO see how they were going
To vote and if they did not vote the republi-
can ticket Grant would know
TIE REASON WHY.
1t was also said that every one, voting the
compromise ticket, would be arrested.
There was never apprehension on the part
of the republican clubs, and they expressed
their opinions without restraint. After sup
porting the compromise movement. ths
ifua
him. st. Mary's parish oug.t to give on a
! fair count ], 500 to l 800 radical majority In
1872 Grant and Kellogg were only returned
! by l25 majority, because the vote was
fraudulently manipulated by Wsrmoth.
| Edward Jones testified that be was from
Quincy, Ill. He was in the federal army
and has resided here since 1869. He is now
| republican and has been received here
socially as everywhere else. There has been
no desire evinced TO ostracise the witness so-
cially. IL IS here as everywhere else as far
as the witness experience goes A mans
character decides his social status. The
election fair and tree one. Henry
| Ware resides In Iberville parish. He en-
gagged in planting after the war. His syln-
pathies were with the honest republicans At
the election OF 1872 be voted tor kellogg and
Grant. The republicans are in majority
of three or four to one. The officials there
have been for several years past inefficient
and untrustwOrthy. In Som5 instances, Ii Is
admitted by the better and more intelligent
| of both races, that changes are necessary.
| The appointments have been made im-
properly. They appear 20 cover and protect
| defaulting officials, and prevent them from
being brought TO justice. This has caused
much dissatisfaction, even among the
republicans. The relations of the
races were amicahle. Touching a DISPOSE
ton on the part OF the planters
to defraud the labOrers. the Witness affirmed