New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-04
SOUTHERN INVESTIGATED
THE CASE OF LOUIsihk

THE CASE OF LOUISiAk
| TESTIMONY OF THE SECRETARY OF The RETURNING
| BOARD-THE DECISIONS MADE IN SECRET SIS
SION AND NOT ENTERED ON THE MINUTES
EVIDENCE OF THE EXISTENCE OF CONSERVATIVE
CoLORED CIUBs-BUsINEss DEPRESSION IN NEW
oREEANs-GOv. KELLOGG REQUESTS THE COM
MI1TEE TO INVESTIGATE THE ELECTION OF 1872
BISHOP WILMER TEsTIFIEs REGARDING THE
CONDITION OF AFFAIRS.
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 3.-The Congressional
Committee met at the Custuuhouse at IL a. yester
day.
Charles g. Abel, Secretary OF the Returning Board
was the first witness called He testified follows:
Was elected Secretary the third meeting OF the Board
his duties we're to keep the minutes and to produce
such documents the Board might require, he he Sec
reary having charge OF them all the papers, with The
exception OF the minutes handed TO tho Sec
rotary OF State on the adjournment Of the Board all
the evidence taken by the Board written, and ia
MED with the papers In each which up before
the Board produce the minutes no papers sent to
the Board disappeared. to the best OF his knowledge
MI. Phelps-What was the action Of the Board when
protests were presented before iti
WitnesS-The Board generally counted tie .rurns to
which such protests had reference, and H. them
for consideration. Papers rejected w,,ao,f my
entry being made minutes taken was thert sly
mention made IN tho minutes OF such changes
made by the Board. The conclusions decisions
the minutes There s no record exant showing these
changes, the only way TO arrive at It being compare
the original returns made by the Supervisors with the
statements published promulgated by tho Board.
There was evidence fled in the of the Pal sh Of
Rapdes.
AT the suggestion of the Committee, II was agreed to
produce the talyshee and the Supervisory returns
and all the papers in the OF the Parishes OF IBERIA
and Rapides also the journal wherein the compiled
statements we're promulgated
Charles PrOvOste hs witness was produced to prove
the existence Of coored clubs who took against
the Republican party Ill the late elecOnl ,u1ed that
there large club In the Second Ward, all colored.
who cOOperated with the Conservative be iuse they
were tired Of existing evils; this cluD vote the Con-
seryatve ticket to nearly its full strength. aud voted
the ticket openly.
George Duprez testl6ed: Organized q colored club In
the Third Ward; at the poll where this club voted,
negro precinct exclusively, 800 votes we're east;
the majority at tho election for the Conservatives footed
up127.
l.. Il. jerks testified: Was at tho Convention in
Baton Rouge voted tue Fusion ticket in 1872, with one
excepton-hati is voted for Kellogg instead OF McEnery
heard McEnery's speech in Baton Rouge, which
tremey partisan no advocated IN the event OF the
people eectng their candidates that they the people,
should occupy the city, aud that they got their
seats in the General Assembly McEnery also spoke OH
occasion the Varieties Theater about the same
strain he did Baton Rouge Mr. Mari also spoke
The Varieties; his speech was like that Of McEnery In
tone and temper
Major William Robinson, news editor OF The Neto- Or.
leans Republican, brought forward to testify
tain extracts published In his paper being genuine
productions OF those taken from certain country
cDangesThe Shreveport Times The NdtohitocheS YIN
dedtor and others. He agreed to make affidavit to
that effect
A. Is. Levissee testified that ho resided in Caddo Par
sh; a who votes the Radical ticket in CaddO Par
sh is ostracsed. He asked by Mr. Potter II lie
elected the l. gsature, to which he replied was
turned member by the Returning Board, but not by
the popular vote.
l.. w. Baker testified reside In Booster Parish
Parish Judge; Republicans there have been ostracsed
socially to great extent.
BUSINESS DEPRESSION AND LAwLEssNESs IN NEW
ORLEANS.
Joseph Bowling testided l reside in New-Orleans;
am merchant aud member OF the firm OF Poet, Yale
Bowling. Touching the commercial condition OF New
Orleans he said II much depressed; persons were
afraid to cutter upon enter pses Of any character lie
attributed this to the exorbtant taxes that have
ised this depression is evident in ono particular, by
the great numbers OF business houses now offered for
rent; houses offered 10y the owners to such
persons will take them, the taxes and keep them
In repair ana frequently there arc no takers even on
these terms; here the ian OF September he
feeling Of the business community afler mat event
Is, when IL was supposed tue Peoples Government
had been esahllshed-""s buoyaDt; revival OF Dusl-
ness was anticipated there Is a extended desre on tue
part the people to leave Louisiana because or the ex
- ing state OF aft ,irs.
Mr. Roster Geslred 10 know II murderers were gem
orally condrmned by the community aud dealt with ac-
oUrdng to law tho courts. Also, II tie general In
u,uulty from punishment or these murderrrs has tue
effect Uf preventing III large measure Immigration 10
MIR. Bowling replied: Generally, any murder perpe-
traIed III the city largely condrmned II persons are
arrested IN sOme Instances, as IN that winch oc-
curr Thursday night to which Mr.. Foster referred
was mainly attributed to the netciency OF the police
the Republican poce oid not know whether 1t affected
MI Potter wanted to know II Gov. Kellogg had not
been IN the habit Of pardoning Criminals by Wholesale
existed this wholesale pardonlng was not to some ex
tent tho cause Of IT, Wituess heard 1t repCrted-had
Teen pardoned ana he thought pardoning had ten
dency 10 encourage cline.
GOV. KELLOGG REQUESTS THAT HIS CASE BE INvEs-
TIGATED.
The following letter from Gov kellogg to the Con-
grcssional Committee was delivered last evening:
HEw-0RLEASs Jan. l, 1875.
The Hon. CHARLES PosrrR Chairman Of ne Suo COMMITTEE on
sIE By engaged in the
CATION taxing place before Committee tat yoo have de-
n,s,a,OU Permit me respectfully TO iasses ,G. The q1s'Go
Of 1872 las the phns disputed point which, for
the STATE Ess:a S..ISs That was elected
discharge the duties once amid difficulties such " lew men have
me q. my post during oOlOauy msrep
n!.Oa EsssoJ stsnDA sa he President a"s that com
s u ssH the Ssn s EVE b
AID Government concerned an intensely ANXIOUS
and % % @ s s 0G .se De sS a.. SGs% 81 %
soHsD ..y np.5. mind Wheeler va. elected t i. 1872 Q.
might be don: sued. the question for instance Il. Committee
s them with returns this year tsarss
SS .a1 l eoo Ss. III be S f' H,R S
eusOn could be arrived a. The census and relative registration o.
throw much light the matter and 'asm, tina. the rs,Sn from
BC. we ssr. allowed our Sssoasss minority vote 1872 Tu.
.bee Republican vote scarcely one " permitted be cast
have S.a no OSpof.uUty to detail. 1872