The Portland daily press., 1876-05-17
CORRUPTION IN LOUISIANA.
Some Severe Charges against Con-
gresham MOfey.

WASHINGTON, May 15.-The special commit
tee To investigate the federal offices OF Louis
lana, to-day, examined Major Seelye, former
ly special gent of the post Office department.
at New Oreaus, aud Afterwards United States
Deputy Marshal ia Louisiana. He refused TO
testify in reg ard to the pay-rOlis of the custom
house at New Orears, Oh the ground that it
would criminate himself. and the chairman of
the committee vas directed to apply to the At
torny General for the necessary papers grant.
ing his immunity, AS to the other matters
the witness testified that there was a defalca-
ton of 900 in the New Orleans post Office,
during Lowelps administration, and Lowell,
with his deputy and cashier, were arrested and
held to bail in $4,000 each, but was not pros
ecuted. Lowell turned over to his bondsmen
about $4,000 worth of property, which was af-
forwards returned to him and the defalcation
was finally compromised for $1,000. Witness
further testified that Congressman Morey told
him (wtnessl that the easiest way to settle the
matter was to steal the bond, and requested
witness to do so. There were ten bondsmen
who were assessed some $4,000 each, to secure
the compromise. Seelye also testified that
Jouett then Commissioner of the Circuit Court,
gave him warrant against twenty men in
Morey's district. Morey erased the names of
all but FOUR whom he instructed Seelye tc take
to Monroe and keep in jail until after the cleo
ton. A warrant was also given him for Isaac
Newton Glover, whom, by Morey's verbal ill.,
structions, given Seelye in the presence of
and kill. Glover was not arrested because a
writ of habeas corpus required witness to re-
main with the other prisoners. Witness said
he did not Intend to kill Glover, but left Morey
under the Impression that he would do it. Wit
ness further said the United States infantry
and cavalry in the district were moved by Mo-
rey's direction, Morey furnished list of his
appointments and ordered the troops to be at
such points the day before he spoke, as he was
afraid to go to without such guard. Sselye sold
70 thn nrdar nd tala
from him (Morey) for 5000 cash and five notes
for 800 each, two of which were paid, two are
overdue and one has not yet matured. Seelye
said he retained copies, and claimed that he had
| memoranda by which he could give the times,
places, names and all the details.
Judge Wilson appeared as counsel for Morey,
who was also present, and requested that the
| application for immunity from thu Attorney
General be postponed until after the cross-ex-
animation of witness. Mr.. Morey added that
Seelye shonld go to the penitentiary, and the
case should be decided by the courts. If inn
munity should be granted Seelye he could not
| be prosecuted, and he (Morey) would be with
out the means of proving him Infamous.
WASHINGTON, May 16.-Seelye testified to-
day before the Louisiana committe in corrob-
| Grafton of yesterdays evidence, and said that
| he obtained on the I'd inst an Office in the
| New York custom house through Morey ard
Casey. A member of the Louisiana Legisa.
| lature named Saner saw him in New York and
| told him that the sergeant-at-arms was after
him. Saner showed telegram from Morey ia
Casey to induce him to go to Canada. He
wanted $500 to accept and they only ffered
| $500. Marshal Sharpe was asked by Casey to
| pay him his salary while absent but he refused
though he agreed to reinstate him on his return
from Canada. Among other testimony was
| some to the effect that Morey settled with him
in notes for his services in Louisiana, but had
| never paid some of them.