The New York herald., 1877-02-07
~AM I A VASSAL OR A PEER ?"
Denial Of Littlefeds Testimony Regarding
The Vernon Parish
EVIDENCE OE TEE CLERKS or TED BOARD
Mr.. kenner on the Alleged Two Hundred
Thousand Dollar Offer
w.sulyorox. Feb. Q. 1871

Ing recalled Governor Wells The cross-examination
was conducted by Mr.. Field, who asked the witness
whether just before he LETT New Orleans no had dis
sussion with z. J. Barrett member OF the Packard
anc replied he had not
.. Was anything SAID by him as to having an inter
view with Governor Methodist 4 Yes.
Q Did you say, IN the course of your conversation
With Mr.. Barrett. that you had determined TO make
Biatement 70 Governor Nichoiss A. It's most In
famous lie
G Do you mean to say the question Is an infamous
nef A. l say the substance Of the question Is lie.
Q II sou would answer my question IN the way
witness should answer, II would be better A. vii
not ask your advice as TO how shall answer ques
tion
The Charman-You must answer in response to the
question. This Is not place for personal expana
hons A. can dofend my self elsewhere
Q Did you state that you had determined 70 make Q
statement 10 Governor nichollsS A No, STR
Q Did you say anything about the Intervention Of
Mr.. !. r. Kennedy A. did not, sir; Mr.. Barrett had
asked me whether l would have interview with
Governor Nichols; replied that would, AS Governor
Nichols was gentieman Mr. Barrett made an ex'
panation IN the Legislature refutng the aise charges
against me.
The witness, in further response to questions, said
he also had conversation with J. T. Kennedy about
ac with Governor Nicholls Kennedy opened
the cou uversation and asked him whether he had any
objection to an interview with Governor Nichols ana
lie replied language similar to that IN his conversa-
lion with Barrett; Kennedy suggested the interview
with Governor Nichols about state matters ooth Bar
rett and Kennedy were his political friends.
O. DID you not state that you would make clean
breast mr. A. IL Is most infamous lie.
.. DO you mean to say that you never SAID to any.
body you conversed with that you intended 10 make a
clean breast OF ty A. Nothing OF the kind.
q What there IN State affairs about which you
wished have interview with Governor Nichols 7
A. | do not know what Governor Nichols desired,
therefore | cannot say; had ! renamed in New Or
leans | would have had the proposed interview with
Governor Nichols
Mr Field read letter dated New Orleans, January
a. 1875. and signed by Governor Wells, as foows:-
quite unwe too much so to dl our engagement to-
Will inform you relative to its iulhlment
Witness SAID he wrote that note ana that Kennedy
was have been present at the proposed Interview
with Governor y lcholls.
witness was ask ed whether he did not an hour after
he wrote the above, send another, marked 'Conidcn-
tial. " as follows:-
DsAR srR-Afer our friend Barrett had left our room
from New Orleans w
The witness said he expected TO be back in few days
Mr. Field asked question requiring explanation OF
the manner Of proceeding to canvass The vote In Louis
lana
DECLINES TO ANSWER.
The witness said that Saturday he had sent note
TO the committee asking TO be heard only with refer
ence to Maddox and Vernon parish, and he did not
intend 20 throw away his rights rs an Ameri
Can citizen and be forced to answer questions
on other subjects. He desired to answer other
questions whatever until the House should relieve HIM
from the charge Of contempt OF iis authority When
thus relieved he would feel free to answer.
The Chairman reminded the witness that he was
subpgnaed to appear here and was expected to tell
n he persisted in doing the witness again placed
himself IN contempt and such would be tho opinion
CT the committee and OF the public al large o.
Mr. Lawrence agreed with Mr. Scclye and the Chair.
man that the witness should answer.
Mr. Field asked the witness several questions among
o In canvassne the vote of Natchitoches, were any
Irregularities iiscoveredY
Did the Returning Board deliberately add 535 votes
10 five or the Hayes electors which had been cast
for HaycsS
DID VOC not add 574 to the votes cast Tor Hayes in
The parish OF Concordiay
These questions the witness scverally refused to
answer.
he witness also declined TO answer the question
whether 500 had not been thrown oil from the
I lden electors IL the parish OF OrleansY
q We're there any forged aiidavits before the Re-
turning Board? A. decline to answer.
Did you advise that forged afldavits be prepared
A. deciine to answer
q D.dyou not direct that for1d afidavts DO pre-
pared the Vernon parish caseY A. did not adj
visc the preparation Of any forged aidavs whatever
other questions wcro propounded, but with q like
unsatisfactory result
THE NOTE To MADDOX.
Mr. Field called the attention of the witness TO the
note which he addressed TO Mr. Aaddox on tho 20th Of
November as ionows'-
yor fully understand the situation Cannot you advise
with me relative therefor
Mr. Field asked witness why he wrote this note TO
Mr. Maddox, when he replied that u was intended to
be SHOWN to the President and okher republican friends
in order that Mr. Maddox might have the entree 10
sucb friends 10 explain the political condition In
Louisiana. Mr. Maddox being public officer aud hav
Ing been sent to Louisiana Tor that purpose. Witness
had also sent by Mr. Maddox letter the President
the same subject drawing his attention 10 the tact
D cxasperated condition OF the people Of the State
so that he might be prepared 10 arrest any movement
initiating against the Returning Board and 10 prevent
my destruction of papers. &c
Mr.. FeId--You nave stated that you never altered
return or destroyed papers A. decline 10 answer
he Tho declined d
Qucson concerning the acton Of the Board until the
House gave HIM his liberty and relieved him of his
disability He wanted TO know whether he was the
peer OF any member OF the committee or a vassal.
Mr. Knott reminded him that the obligation OF his
oath required bm uhc wtnessj 10 answer every ques
ton put TO him unless such answer would crIminate
him.
Mr. Wells said there question he might an
which would SUBJECT him 10 prosecution. but ne
reserved hts construction to what were his rights
aud he committee had no right 70 question him when
q DID you tako part In any conspiracy 10 give the
State 10 Tildcns A. Are YOU through
Mr. F,ed--Mr. stenographer, read him the question:
The stenographer read H.
Mr. wcls-ls that the hnish Of your question:
Mr. Tucker-rhis is trihinG
TIE Charman--Oh, Mr. Wells. answer the question
or cine. To answer
Mr. Wels---May say wordf
I he Charmab-Not now.
Wtucss--f do not know whether am vassal or a
pccr: II peer should ike TO know II; n am
sa. a,n iorcedas servant TO answer your question:
The Cnalrman--l wsn, 10 the kindcst spirit, TO
bring TO YOU r attention the attitude you occupy.
witness--1here Is no gentleman 70 when would
listen with attention than yourself, but must
consider my duty.
The Cha,rnian--I merely wished 10 remind you that
buy,ra sworn to tell the truth, the whole trGth and
nothing bui The truth, you must answer
The wlness--I wil fully. whenever relieved OF the
disabillly imposed by the House. which holds me in
curcss.
10 answer because feared he might renaor himself
liable to a criminal prosecution
rho witness rcped bc did not
Mr. Ficld-wl you explain what position you
occupyy
I Lc Am vassai or peery
The Chairnan--That has nothing 10 90 Win your
position. You are under al obligation 10 answer
very question excepting, OF course, such as might
end 10 crmiDate you.
rue witucss reserve TO myself the construction
II my rights, and the committee have no po~er to
orcc NE 10 answer questions while am uhde1 sen
encc ~ the House.
Nr. f,e.d-you rejected 10000 votes and upward