Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-12-14
THE TRoUBLEs0ME STATES.
IOUisi ana.

GOV. WELLS DECLINES To ANSWER.
Mr.. Wells, OF the returning board, was be-
lie declined answering questions, denying
the authority of the committee to interrogate
him as TO the returning board matters. Mr..
Morrison said they would not press ques-
tons. Gov. Wells stated that if the commit
tee would employ eight clerks, in addition TO
the clerical force of the board all the papers
could soon be copied, and with them the COM
mittee would have all the information az To
votes cast in the state, and the evidence
which prompted the action Of the board.
Other members of the returning board were
notified they would be examined hereafter.
Other witnesses were examined as to- the late
elections, but nothing new or startling was
developed.
ALLEGED THREATS TO REPUBLICAN WIT
NESSES.
The counsel for the republican committee
last evening addressed note 10 Chairman
Morrison representing that while due and
convenient access and accommodation are
obtained, and seem TO have been provided
for the committee representing. the demo-
cratic party, no such accommodation has up
to the present time been afforded to them,
the sessions OF the committee being held in
the parlors of public hotel, a place of gem
eral re sort. 'sAll the avenues leading to the
committee room are constantly thrOnged by
persons whose conduct toward witnesses of
the republican party is of such nature
to materially interfere with affairs under in
vestigatiOn. Threats and remarks of the
most violent nature were made to-day dur
ing the examination of Ex-Governor Wells,
president of the board of returning officers,
and +. Glover, supervisor of registration, OF
the parish of East Baton Rouge, directed
personally against the witnesses. One per-
son, unknown, remarked in "a voice audible
10 several bystanders, that he (ClOverD, ought
to have his sd throat cut. Another,
that Governor Wells was a liar. and
ought To be killed. We have reason to be-
lieve that the persons who made use of these
and similar threats, did so for the purpose of
Overawing the witnesses and preventing q
full eXpreSsiO of the truth regarding the
subject matter of your investigation. We re-
spectfully request that your honorable body
direct that free access and suitable accom-
mOdatiOns be afforded the counsel represent
ing the republican party in this investiga
ton, and also that witnesses subjOined by
your committee room without passin z
through a crowd OF hostile and disortlerly
persons.
THE CONGRESSIONAL INyESTIG ALTON.
The investigation by the Congressional
committee was fairly opened yesterday. The
first county taken up was Leon, which
into two committees. the republican members
voting against the decision. Messrs. Wal
ling, DebOt and Woodward, the sub-com-
mittee, will leave for the Eastern counties
for a day or two. 1t is believed that the head
quarters OF the committee will be Jackson
vile. IT is impossible TO say when the COM
mittees will complete their labOrs.
The work OF the committee has, as yet, fur
nished no testimony that was not brought
out before the state canvassing board.
The supreme court met yesterday morning.
and took steps toward bringing forward the
mandamuS case.