The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-01-21
Report of the Louisiana Investigating
Committee.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Is

WASHINGTON Jan Is.
The subcommittee appointed to visit New
Orleans ior the purpose OF investigation has re-
ported 10 the General Committee: After giving a
full account of the action of the Returning Board
the committee report they are constrained to say
the action of the Board in the rejection of the
returns in the parish of Rspides, and giving the
seats for that parish to the Republican candi-
dates, was arbitrary. unfair and without warrant
of law. If the committee were to 90 behind the
papers before the Board and consider the
alleged charge Of intimidation upon proofs be
fore the committee, their finding would necessa-
rily be the same. Rapides Parish was taken q
sample parish of Intimidation many witnesses
from which of both parties show, beyond ques-
ton, that there was free, full fair and peaceable
election and registration. There was no evil
dence of any intimidation of voters practiced on
the day Of election, although II was asserted that
the intimidation of coiored men before the cleo
ton had been effected by threats of refusal TO
ploy them, or to discharge them if they voted the
Republican ticket. No evidence either of dis
charge or refusal to employ was produced.
Certain witnesses, themselves, every one, Office
holders, testified generally to such action, but
hardly any one was able TO specify single in
stance in which he heard any employer SO
threaten or discharge any voter, or know Of any
employe being so threatened or discharged. Not
one single colored man throughout the entire
parish was produced to testify either to such
threat or TO execution of such purpose, whether
before or after election.
The committee alIude to various illegal acts OF
the Returning Board, and say again: We are
constrained 10 declare the action of the Return
ing Board on the whole arbitrary, unjust,
and. in our opinion Illegal; and that this afbi-
trary. unjust and Illegal action alone prevented
the return by the Board OF majority of Conserya
tive members TO the lower house.
Inc committee sconfned their investigation 70
two parishes and and that no general int1mida
tion OF Republican voters was established. NC
eolored man was produced who had been threat
enSd or assaulted by any Conservative because ol
political opinion or discharged from EN- mploymen,
or refused employment OF all those who testi-
ned 10 intimidation there hardly any one
who, of his own knowledge, could specify re
liable instance Of such acts, and OF the
white men who were produced TO testif,
generally on such subjects very nearly all, i
| not every one, was holder Of Office. No wit
nesses, we believe, succeeded in naming in any
parish i've Republicans who supported the KEEL
holders related 10 ofice-holders, or those hav
| ing ofiicial employment On the other hand, ap
plicatons to the United States Commissioners,
III various parishes, not only for alleged
crimes, but because OF alleged threats OF
discharge and unemployment, or other inter
ference with political preference, were frequent
Upon these applications warrants were often is
sued, and white citizens arrested and bound owe
for trial In many localities Federal troops wer'
detailed for service under Marshals and Deputy
Marshals. and not only made many arrests imnle
dately before election, but reports that they wer'
| coming TO particular neighborhoods about IN,
time of election, for the purpose OF making sucl
| arrests. served the Conservatives Claimed,
| intimidale and sometimes even TO prodacp
| stampede among the white voters.
How differently the two parties looked POI
| the same fact will appear from the testiEoD.' o
| Mr. Riddle. He was United States Coinmissi'in e
in the parish of iberia Shortly before the alec
| ton upon the application of colored personJ, b.
1 issued a large number OF warrants. He eonsld