The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-20
LOUISIANA.
The Issue Joined--Pleadings
by Both Parties.
Gen. Nichols Serenaded.
He Makes a Telling Speech
The House Com mmittee.

| NEW ORLEAks, DecehlDer w. Elk
Governor K. C. Wickelitfe was recalled
and cross-exsmined by Gen. Hurlburt
In answer to questions, the witness said
The organization OF Regulators was
gotten up when | was in Kentucky
When l came back l found it in exs-
tence; don't know anything about the
constitution or mode of procedure OF the
organization; had conversation with
Col. Powers who was in command OF it;
don't know who succeeded him in com.
mand of the organization; don't know OF
its existence since this campaign was
| opened; have no knowledge OF
armed bodies of men moving about
over the parishes At night,
! and thinks the change of the vote OF
West FelecIans parish due to the in
terest taken by the whites and the argu-
ments used by them, promising just
and economical administration and a
proper application Of the school fund,
in the event Of Democratic success. be
knew of no threats of discharge or any
thing of that sort by any one. He re.
ceived a circular from Col. Patton,
Chairman OF the Democratic State Com
mittee, in which he said, "You cam OF
convince negro by reasoning, but may
by positive statements often repeated
Witness did not agree with the views OF
Col. Patton, as. he found negroes readily
convinced by argument, and he employ
cd no other means to IN nhuence them to
vote the Democratic ticket.
VIM. Msyville, (colored) of New Or
leans testiied-He voted the Democratic
ticket al the last elections and
never told any one wha. ticket he
would vote, but WAS suspected Ot being
Democrat and WAS frequently threat
ened by the colored Republicans. The
day after the election he was knock Cd
down by two colored men, who said they
would Kill me tOi voting the Democratic
ticket. The name of one OF them is Ben
Frsnklia Since the election | have not
gone alone, Us threats were constantly
made To my wife. The president of an AS
sociation to which | belong accompanies
me to my work and sees me home ut
night; was told that all colored men who
voted the Democratic ticket would be
sent to the penltentlary at Baton Rouge.
Jerry Hail, (colored) of Orleans, took
an active part in the last election rs a
csnvasser in the interests OF the Demo
Gratis; prior to the last election affiliated
with the Republicans; Canvsssed Rapides,
Grant and Ouachita parishes; saw many
colored people who said they
would vote the Democratic ticket; knew
of no violence, but heard of talk about
killing Democratic negroes, etc; coIored
preachers said that no Democratic
colored man should be recognized by
his brcthern Nearly all the colored
people belong TO the same church and
the preachers have an unbounded ntu-
ence over them. Rstlord Blond, State
Senator and Baptist Bishop, said he
would refuse to perform marriage for
negro Democrats; wOulu refuse to baptlZe
them, he would excommuniCate them, and
that voting the Democratic ticket would
justify the wife III getting n divorce. The
witness changed his politics because he
wanted better government, and he had
stated in speeches that the government
OF tn last eight years was Incapable OF
afording protection. to the colored peo-
pie, cause it had not the support and
couu!rncs of the people, AMI did not
bring criminals to justice. Outrages
were committee on the colOIed people At
ColtaX. Conshatta and numerous other
places, and the murderers OF ColOred men
were not brought to justice. ! TANK
that the government, n the pres
sure was so great would have
endesvored TO apprehend the guilty
party. but the people were so bitter
against the govern. meLt that they would
not support it; believed the government
winked at these outrages, as the leaders
OF the Republican party considered the
death Of colored men an immense benefit
to the party; was at first in favor Of the
Democ attic State ticket only, rs an or
ganizatlon OF colosed men to which | be-
ionged wanted Hayes and Wheeler but
we concluded that if Hayes was elected
Nichols would not be allow ed to take his
seat even If he WAS elected; so with many
others | determined TO vote for TIldcA
also in order to make Nichols Governor
securely; was a member of the LegIsa-
ture and filed several minor Offices as
Republican.
AntioAe r. Olasco, coiored, of New
Orleans, canvsssed the State tor the
Democrats: knew of no violence, but
heard Of the intimidation Of coIored
Democrats; great many colOred men
voted the Dem ocratic ticket; joined the
Democratic party about three months
before the election; everything Was
peacesbe and qniet; all the
Democratic speakers counseIled peace,
orGer and fairness IN the
election. Colored people tod me IN
West Felicians that they belonged 10 the
Democratic clubs, which contained both
white ard colored members, that the
white people would allow 30 dIstILrtion
TO be made in that respect.
The senate Committee.