Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-12-22
THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEES

AOuAHANhNs
The Congressional Committee TO examine
into the Louisiana election met and organ
lied at New Orleans on the 18th. commu-
nication from the Returning Board was read,
stating that the members of the board deny
the authority OF the House Of Representa-
tives 10 review their decision until the same
Ia delivered to the General Assembly,; also
claiming that under the Constitution and
laws OF the State they cannot surrender the
documents In their possession. The Chair
man (Morrison) Instructed the Sergeant at
Arms TO notify the members OF the Return
ing Board that their presence would be ex-
pectcd on the morning Of the 18th, in Obe-
dience TO the orders Of the Speaker of the
House of Representatives OF the United
States. The Secretary Of the board, in an
swer to a subpoena served on him, declined
to furnish documents, as he had been in
structed not to do so.
Ex-Gov Wells, Of the Louisiana Return
ing Board, was before the Congressional
Committee on the 18th and declined TO an
swer questions, denying the authority of the
committee to question him as to Returning
Board matters. The questions were not
pressed. He said the committee could copy
all the papers and then they would have all
the information they asked for Some wit
nesses were examined but nothing new or
startling developed. subcommittee to visit
the disputed districts we're appointed. Re-
publican counsel presented n request that
witnesses be protected against insult and
threats while proceeding to the committee
room.
A colored man named Carroll testified be-
fore the Louisiana Congressional Investi-
eating Committee on the 18th that his life
was threatened for voting the Democratic
ticket and man was killed, Nov. TO- being
mistaken for witness, Another witness
(Morgan) testified to hearing a conversation
between Gov. Kellogg and Supervisor Ander-
son, of East Feliciana, when the former in
structed Anderson to return home and ar
range for negroes to vote at two or three
places and elect members Of the Legislature;
witness said Supervisor Leday, OF Lafourchc,
told him that his parish was Democratic, but
he would throw out enough polls TO elect
Republicans Witness claims to be Re-
publican. He was discharged from the
Custom-Hou last month. Morrison, Chair
man of the committee, tclegraphed Speaker
Randall at Washington, on the 18th, that
every obstacle has been and will be inter-
posed to hinder the committee in the dis
charge of its duty. He had received mes
sage from President Orton, of the Western
Union Telegraph Company, declining to
produce before any committee of either
house messages received by either party-at
least until Congress so directed.
In the investigation before the House com
mittee ion the 18th, NJ. s. Peeler, U. 8. Super.
visor, Second Ward, New Orleans, testified
to an attempt TO prevent Democrats from
voting; Deputy Marshal Casey said TO him IL
he would let them have the ballot-box he
would get $500; Casey cursed him as traitor
to his party, and knocked him down; Dean,
colored, struck witness on the head, and
chased him with pistol; his offense was
that he had certified TO the returns as correct
and refused to allow Republicans to take the
box; he was told by Mr.. Donnelly that
If he did not keep in his life would
be taken for going back on his party. John
Petty (coIored) testified: Resides in Algiers
voted the Democratic ticket at the late
election, and was shot and beaten by colored
men because he did So Pompey Sloates
(colored): Lives in Orleans; voted the Dem
ocratic ticket in 1874 and 1875; was twice at
tackled by colorcd Republicans on account of
his politics. once his arm was broken with
clubs and the other time his eye was put out.
Marshal Tyler (coloredD: Lives in New Or
leans; has always voted the Democratic
ticket and has been frequently assaulted
on account of his politics; has been cut
seventeen times, beaten often and shot
at four times by colored Republic
ans. Flowers (colorcd); Canvassed the
State for the Democrats; was told by many
colored meu that they were afraid to vote
the Democratic ticket; heard Supervisor An
derson, of East Feliciana, remark that some
of the colored men ought to he killed, as ev-
cry colored mans murder was worth 50,0OO
to the party Henry Smith (colored): Was
assaulted and shot in the head by colOred
men for voting the Democratic ticket. s.
j. V. Smith, a New Orleans lawyer, testified
that Supervisor Anderson, of East Feliciana,
told him the parish would go Democratic,
but would be counted Republican, but it
could be avoided if the Democrats would call
and see him (Anderson).