The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-01-03

of 10 committee that approved or indorsed tn
Grant parish affair. A Mr.. Guizot told witness
Kelso and other Republicans, that they had be
ter keep out OF the way, as then. lives were
warning. Was candidate and received larg
colored vote. Never said he did not intend t
contest his election. Was told after the Return
ing Board counted him in that he would b
killed II he took his seat.
This naturally makes him little nervous bu
ne means to go for that seat nolens volens.
ConnOughton was not man possessed of such
retr1nS sort OF disposition. he would have mean
dered through Rapides about canvassing time
and would have thereby been enabled to gathe
more extended information regarding the situa
ton IN that section OF the State. As it is, how
ever, ne does very we'll considering his limite
opportunities, and gets off a very shocking kim
OF narrative, showing that he does not mean t.
DE lett when it comes to getting up develop
ments.
| BENJAMIN COOPER -..
was offered as a witness at the suggestion of Mr.
Lacharle: There is no White League organza
ton in his section Of the parish. Heard o
White Leagues in New Orleans, not in that par
ish. Knows OF many negroes who voted th
Conservative ticket in witness own immediate
| nelghborhood. A good number OF negroes
changed their politics because subscribed schoo
funds which were placed in a savings bank were
lost by the failure Of the concern.
The negroes imagined they had been defrau@ ed
They knew the Savings Bank was Republican
institution, and therefore they charged kepubli
cans directly with such offence, declaring they
would look elsewhere for more honest officials
Mr.. Cooper felt assured that this circumstance
caused many of the negroes in his particular
vicinity to vote the Conservative ticket at the las
election. .--
A recess was thereafter taken until o'clock P
M, the committee agreeing to meet as usual in
parlor P, st. Charles Hotel.
Evening Session.
The committee met at 8 o'clock, and resumed
the investigation. The first witness called was
Acting-Chief Of Police LeClere, who testified
that he had information that those persons who
were elected or claimed to be, would go to the
State. House and i'll such force as to be able to
install themselves. THat if persons attempted
to meet, who were not declared elected by the
Returning Board, difficulty would ensue. That
he had called Gen. Brooks attention to the matter
Knew Of nothing to prevent such body from
meeting.
ss-questioned-Onlyt those declared elected
by the Returning Board we're entitled to meet.
Men were drilling in the streets. Knew of no
law to prevent persons from drilling. Ii Demo-
Gratis should attempt to expel Republicans there
would be trouble. Ii Democrats went there
claiming to represent the people, and nobody ill.,
terfered with them, there would be no difficulty.
Knew Of no one who would attempt to interfere.
Stated they had over three hundred men, not in
Guiding supernumaries. Didn't know the
strength OF the White League. They didn't
assist HIM in preserving the peace. He never
called on them to DO so.
DIR. LCCKETr.
The election was as quiet az any he had ever
witnessed. In his ward about two-thrds were
Democrats no intimidation was offered by the
Democrats; made particular point of urging
every voter in the parish to come forward and
with the negroes Of the parish, and received a
large share of support from them; heard that
some OF the candidates on the Conservative
ticket were indicted for participation in the Colfax
affair." Capts. Stafford and Oliver were the par
ties. There was very full negro vote in the
parish. -.....l,. rr .......
The Democrats calculated on, and realized
greater support from the coiOred people this year
than at any other former period, the reason re-
ing that the negroes have become utterly tired of
misrule. Did not participate in the Cofax affair.
Was not present at meeting where a resolu-
ton endorsing the action Of the people Of Grant
parish was passed. The negroes were forced to
pay poll tax, which incensed them very much,
and the dissatisfaction arising from this cause
was OF such character as to cause numbers of
them to refuse further support to the Republic
cans.
The people of Alexandria approved the Grant
parish massacre to certain extent there was
lawiessness in said PARISH. and, as far as it was
q measure OF necessity, the people OF Alexandria
approved it. They regretted that there was
for such action. This was the senti-
ment of witness regarding the affair. Does not
know OF any one from Alexandria who took part
in the said affair. Related that in converse
ton with Kelso the latter said to Captain
to the election. that "0 he iKelso1
acknowledged being Supervisor of the parish,
and had made returns Of the election, believing
them at that time to be correct. -
Kelsos returns showed the Conservative can
1idates were elected, and that he (kelso) who
was candidate for Senator was defeated. 1t
was passing strange that because the Returning
Board saw proper to say those men were elected
u. ~. I, - l. 1.gz =
suddenly awaken to the fact such was the case,
thus denying what he had formerly sworn to as
ruth. keso does not look upon consistency in
the light of jewel evidently.
The next witnesses was
ME-. OSWOLD,
who was, doubtless, much embarrassed by the
before whom he appeared, for his
voice was toned down to such remarkably low
Key as to preclude the possibility of the reporter
hearing much Of what he had to disclose. How
ever, the following was CLEANED with an effort:
Is resident OF Alexandria /; as far as his
goes concerning the late election, saw
nothing to lead him to believe that it was in any
respect unfair observed no measures of intimi.
lation OF any character whatever; has always
been Democrat heard the negroes complain
Oudly against the enormous taxation, and heard
many say that they would no longer support the
Republican party on that account.
Didn't know what the rate of taxation was
whether greater last year than during any former
year, Ut WuelutT IL was less. Knows tlat con-
siderable effort was made to secure the negro
tote; always by persuasion, however; Witnessed
10 instances OF intimidation.
CAPT. W. BODLEY
'es'des in Wheeling, Va; is Republican, but
loes not indorse the present Radical rule in LOU
slana. Capt. Bodley has q mandatory in
and afirms that his business has been
affected by the depression in trade and
III interests in Louisiana. The witness manu-
actures carts, wagons, etc, for this market, and
.sserts that he has felt very forcibly the
,reat falling off in trade in this State;
interest has urged Capt. Bodley to investigate
he cause of this, and he has no hesitancy in At
it to this misrule that now obtains
lere, and has characterized Louisiana for sew
,ral years. a
The next gentleman Intercepted was
sPIcER JONES, ESQ.
Resides in the parish Of Assumption. Has been |
. Republican since ths formation of the party, |
,ut left it in 1872 at the general election Left the
,arty because he could not affiliate with the Re-
publican leaders IN that parish.
Certified to the election lately held there hav-
ng been fairly conducted.
E. W. SYLVESTER.
r. .lA~,G L