New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-01-07
THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE
THE LAST DAYS PROCEEDINGS


| MOSsIb. 1uclpb duU COeter OI Lne luVot
tigating committee met yesterday at tn
usual hour to complete their labors in thi
city. The following testimony was taken
| William Vigers-General De Trobrian,
directed me to call the roll, saying that b.
would protect me; l began to call, whel
Mr.. Wiltz said that he desired COnservativ,
members not to answer; there were fifty
two. Republicans and fifty Conservatives
| there was so much excitement that cal
not distinctly remember, and could no
keep proper tally; Mr. Maginnis was ont
who answered On the first call; one Othe
Democrat answered; On the vote to repea;
the call | had fOrty-two answers; three o
these names were admitted subsequent t,
first call; all the Republicans answered
| except Cousin, absent, on the organization
l announced. at first, 1O2 answers; the mo
ton to make Mr.. Wilt temporary chair
| man was made by Mr.. Bielleu; Mr.. Wiltz
ordered me to give up the roll; told hin
that could not give 1T up, as that wOulC
not be lawful; on the second call called
the name Of Mr.. Maginnis.
Mr.. Zacharie made some extended state
ments concerning political affairs in thu
country, but as they are ex parte we dc
! cline to print them. He asserted that hif
party had found considerable difficulty IL
sending off mail matter, or rather there
was much trouble in having the matter de-
livered; recently received letter from
the country containing political Documents
the letter had been cut open and a portion
of the contents abstracted, and since have
been attending on this committee received
letter which had been opened.
Judge Dlbble asked that in justice to the
Republican party Governor kellogg should
be permitted to make statements in the
same general manner as Mr.. Zacharie has;
it is due to the party and to the Governor;
it can be proved that Governor Kellogg's
financial policy has reduced taxes and re-
duced the State debt. Governor Kellogg
has in his possession testimony which will
make important disclosures concerning the
White League.
Attorneys for both sides handed in docu-
mentary evidence, most OF which is Louisi-
ana history, made within the past few
months.
c. w. Lowell-I had connection with
papers before the Returning Board from
the parish Of Iberia; obtained testimony
from that and other parishes; took in
many affidavits; some Of them received
by mail; had . dozen or fifteen parishes
under my charge; can not remember the
names, as l am not acquainted with the
parties; never withdrew any papers from
the board.
Judge Dibbie-Came to Louisiana in 1868
in the United Stetes army; EN- represent.
ing the Republican party before this COM
mittee; my position has been such that l
have been able to have an intimate knowl-
edge Of our political history: the number of
white Republicans in New Orleans may be
Indirectly estimated at 5000: according to
all precedents, with a population of 19l, 900
there should not be more than 81, 600 voters,
yet there were more than that number reg
istered; the Democratic majority in New
Orleans can not be more than 5000 or 5000;
there are certainly 5000 white Republicans in
this city; believe there was fraud in every
registration Office in New Orleans on both
sides; few or no persons have ever been pun.
ished in Louisiana for perpetrating election
frauds; considering that there were about
5000 fraudulent votes cast at the
last election, this committee may
frauds were committed by both sides, but
the Democrats lead in that business; the
obnoxious features in our State revenue
system originated with the Democratic
party; the State assessment is less than
that Of the city; our party was aware that
gigantic frauds had been practiced in the |
courts were DECENTRALIZATION papers were
aiken out. |
C. w. Lowell recalled-Mr. f'ontelieu,
supervisor of poll No. l, Iberia parish, |
informed me- that he had made NO return of |
hat poll because he did not receive the box;
Ar. Fontelieu had papers showing the |
p. NJ. Scull-Reside in Iberia parish. near
he town; know that Republicans were
threatened with discharge from their work
t they voted the Republican ticket; was
personally threatened; Frank johnson
threatened to put bullet through me;
many others were threatened; the threats
utimidated colored people; threats were
he Democratic ticket, but they did it
lgainst their will; no one was shot or struck;
he men ran off Mr.. Belden. the district
when Democrats voted the voter |
'ut his ballot in the box direct; when Re-
'ublicans voted the ticket was passed
hrorgh two or three hands before it was
ut in the box: colored mems tickets were
hanged: | was and am constable and tried
have men vote rs they pleased: some
nen outside thu poll carried loaded whip
ndles.
Nr. Zacharie announced that he had Just
cen informed that General Sheridan was
best to make important arrests of well
nOwn citizens, and called the committees
ttention to the fact that our civil courts
re fully able to attend TO all civil process;
nas our sitizens are willing and ysady to
ssist the proSes court atiicers in making
rresfs.
A note Of this statement sas entered IN
az records.
Ms. Zacharie stated that he had with.
rawn from the White League because he
isliked tho name. fearing that his oppo.
ents would make capital out of it; Ideemed
best not to make the association a purely
hite one.
Mr.. Phelps wrote out form for those
ho protest against military arrests and
lose present acknowledged that he had
nderstood them in their assurance to
'sist civil officers in executing process of
W. In the form the word government
as used, and when the gentlemen were
ked what government was meant they
,sitated to reply, and as no direct answer
as Ahuc dS " WuctucG tuo Souticucu |
ould assist in arresting q well-known
'hite Lacquer, Mr.. Phelps said he did not
g anything for them. Mr.. Mari said he
ould assist in making proper arrest; Mr..
scharie said he would even assist a |
etropoltan in making an arrest; Captain
inner hesitated some what, as did others
ting near him. Mr.. 4. H. Farrow sat
xt to Mr.. Zacharie, but did not express
mself as fully as did Mr.. MARI or Zacharie.
Mr.. Narr making direct response as to ]
,at government he meant he failed to I