The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-12-27

the true facts in the investigation would be
cheerfully granted. The question therefore
was again postponed.
Mr. Mcdonald wanted Colonel J. W. Pat
ton. chairman Of the democratic state execu-
tive committee, to rebut evidence in refer
ence to his famous circular. and he was
called and testified Had resided in the
city OF New Orleans since 1851 Had been
merchant and soldier but for the past two
years had not been in any business. Had
been since last January president Of the
democractic state central committee and had
general charge of the canvass in connection
with the executive committee. His teSti-
mOny wa not taken before the returning
board. Was in New Orleans during the entire
canvass which opened about the 18th Of last
August. The democratic state convention
which nominated the state ticket and presi-
Dental electors met ut Baton Rouge July "a.
Mr.. Pinchback was chairman OF the republi-
can state committee, but rendered his resig
nation after the republican convention had
made nominations. Only knew this from
rumors. Was not familiar with the Organi-
zatiOn of the republican state committee.
Think Messrs. Piltlin and Dibble We're active
members of the campaign committee.
The Baton Rouge democratic conven-
selling peace. viii furnish copy
hereafter. General Nichols made q
speech accepting the nomination, in which
he said he accepted only on the condition
that he should be governor Of the..whole peo-
pie without regard 10 color or race. Wit.
ness promised to furnish report of the en-
tire proceedings of the convention. The
state convention was conducted by the dem
Ocrats on the principles enunciated there
for a full, fair and free election.
circular published by the witness during the
campaign and incorporated in Mr.. Sherman's 8
report was shown witness. and he was asked
If il was true copy, and he replied that il
The italics, however, in Sherman's
report were his, not witnesses
ed, viz: horseback. The circular was
marked confidential, because one member Of
the committee said he was opposed to any
circular, as no matter what was written, il
would be misconstrued by the people
OF the north. Another said marking
it confidential would attract the attention of
those pOStmasters to whom they were sent.
The circular was scattered broadcast, and
there was no intention of keeping it's contents
secret and it was intended for general circu-
latiOn and so used. ii was issued the latter
part of June and sent 90 all prominent dem
Ocrats in various portions of the state and
sent through the mails. Had seen several
circulars issued by the republicans during
the campaign. Among them one was shown,
a. a.
Assumption parish. Another one was found
on the steamboat Blue Wing, in pocket
book among other papers, and after
hearing of it. and after some
trouble, witness secured one from
Supervisor Bondreaux, Of Assumption.
Have since seen another in the hands of a
gentleman from Grant parish. The enyel-
ope in which it was mailed and the docu-
ments were put in evidence.
WifppS- rpSurniDU said no had SaYu cpVp-
raj other circulars issued by the republicans
during the campaign. Had no copies on the
3lst of last August. The entire plan of the
campaign was adopted unanimously. A
copy of the minutes Of the committee was
introduced and filed as part of the testi-
mony. The circular to Supervisor Bondreaux
has been heretofoie e published. IL is the one
that orders the supervisor to see that the
full republican vote is polied and his reoOg-
milton by the party would be dependent on
his observance of that duty.
THE GENERAL CONDUCT OF THE cAMPAIGS.
The question of permitting the witness to
testify in regard to the general conduct OF
the campaign was discussed at considerable
| length. The chairman thought the testi-
mony at present should simply be confined
TO the rebuttal of the circular issued by him.
The question as to the general conduct of
the campaign was finally admitted. The
witness said it had been the universal Gus
tom of the committee to urge upon members
of the party the supreme importance
of preserving peace at the sacrifice of every
thing but self-defense. He was satisfied
that in fair and free and Peaceable election
| they could carry the state. Knew nothing
OF the conduct of the campaign In Ouachita
except from hearsay. The registration of
! the state he thought was conducted in a very
unfair manner. II was conducted by
u
| who was republican The supervisors were
appointed by kellogg or Antoine when act
ing as governor They were republicans aS
far as witness knew; in many cases they
were residents of other parishes; had re-
Quested Lieut. Gov Antoine TO let us have
representation in the registration. Antoine
said he had appointed some democrats but
| declined to accede to the request of witness
! When the letter asking for a division Of the
registration was handed TO Antoine he
said he saw the justice OF it, but would
have 10 submit ii TO the committee, and az
! terwards wrote letter declining to do so.
| Witness promised TO furnish copies of the
entire correspondence, which will be incor-
porated in the report.
To Senator Howe: The democratic com
mittees of the state organize the central
committee, whose duty il is TO conduct
the campaign on the principles an.
nounced by the convention. No
| specific instructions are given by
the convention. Prominent democrats
| from the interior of the state frequently Wis
| tied the headquarters of the state commit
tee. Some few parishes sent no representa-
tive to the state committee. Representatives
from nearly every parish visited the com
mittee, and we urged upon them the line OF
conduct adapted and published during the
campaign in the newspapers. Urged upon
them the Importance of a peaceful election,
aside from the humanitarian principle
| involved, rs q matter of policy. State
ments had been made of lawlessness
heretofore in country parishes and used
against us. Had no special apprehension OF