The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-18

school teacher; has voted the Republican
! ticket every election except the last,
when he went with, the Democrats;
changed mis- politics because of his desired
change IN the Covers ment, and imagined
success of the Democrats would
ameliorate the condition of affairs;
came out openly as Democrat
in the latter part of August,
and made proposition to the Democratic
State Central Committee 10 canvass the
State for the Democrats if they would
pay his expenses, which was accepted;
made speeches in RapIdes, Grant Natchl-
toches, and several other psrishes; con
versed with large number of colored
men,. who affirmed that they would vote
the Democratic ticket; was told by great
many that they were afraid to
vote the Democratic, ticket owing
TO threats which had been
made regarding colored Democrats;
heard p g. Deslonde Secretary of State,
remark to Judge Phillips some time pre-.
.vious TO the election, that the Democrats
would probably carry the State, but that
they were successful the Republicans
would get in. The colored men throughout
the State who expressed an inclination to
side with the Democrats said they did so
as they were tired Of bad government
they wanted more schools and
better ones; there WAS plenty of money
to pay the teachers, but somehow it dis.
h.a 70
its destined purpose. They were dis
gusted with the Freedmen Bureau swim.
die and 5. B. Packard, to whom some of
them had given bounty claims for col
lection and had been defrauded out of
their bounty. Witness said he was
threatened by the Republicans, and was
advised bv his friends to leave New Or.
leans, as his life was in danger from the
Republicans. He heard Anderson,
Supervisor of East Feiciana re-
mark that he could not get
any colored man to run for Office in his
parish, and that some OF them ought TO
be killed, rs every colored mans murder
was wolth $4,000 votes to the Republican
party. Witness never knew of any in
timidation by the Democrats, but knew
colored men were intimidated by the
Republicans.
Henry Smith, colorcd, testified
in Now Orleans; came here in 1874,
voted the Democratic ticket last election,
On Thursday night after the election was
met by three coIored men who asked,
as that Smith ~ and said, You voted
the Democratic ticket and We are going
TO Kill you assaulted him and shot him
in the hand. Colored men had told wit
ness that they would like 10 vote the
Democratic ticket but were afraid.
). j. n. smith, u lawyer Of New Or
leans, testified that he canvassei the
State for the Democrats; passed through
thirty or forty parishes, and SAW no In-
timidation OF colored people except by
the Republicans, who said that il the
Democrats got into office the cOlored
people would be again enslaved. Paid
particular attention In the canvass 10
the coored vote, and saw large numbers
OF negroes who promised to vote the
Democratic ticket. The meetings were
largely attended by colored people in
the parish of East FelecIana, and every
thing was quiet; heard OF no disturbance
whatever. Anderson, Supervisor, told
witness the parish would go Democratic,
but would be counted Republican,; that
all that could be avoided if the Demo.
Gratis would call to see him Anderson
that there was no intimidation and that
Custom House officials wanted him to
make affidavit, swearing there was fraud,
violence and intimidation prac.
tlccd by Dem, rats, but that be
refused to do 20 rs he would
not dshonOr himself. The witness SAID in
1874 he paid several visits to the chief
of police of New Orleans and requested
him To prevent hi ,ubordnates from
attacking the colored men who voted
the Democratic ticket. That daily col
ored men were coming to witness, say
ing they were beaten by the policemen
at night because they were Democrats.
The Senate Committee will hold its
first regular session Monday. The
United States District Court room IN the
Custom House building has been offered
to the Committee and it is probable that
the sessions will be held there. The
Committee had an informal meeting to.
day to arrange prellminsries. 1t has not
been decided whether the committee
shall be sent to take testimony in the
rural districts.