Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-02-01
louisiana.

House had before it yesterday two witnesses,
who gave testimony Of highly important char
actcr affecting the integrity Of the Louisiana re-
turning board.
Juo. 7. Pickett stated that he Is an attorney,
resides in Washington city, and is So years old.
lie produced tue tol!o~ipg:-
New ORLEANS, LA-My Dear Sir: You
fully understand the situation. Can ycu not
advise with me relative thereto? Yours very
truly, y. MADISON WELLS.
He said in substance as follows
On Thursday, November IS, Joseph h.
of Maryland, came to the Office Of witness aud
delivered that letter, stating that he bad been
some days 10 New Orleans, and stated to wit
ness that he believed and that others believed
that Louisiana was democratic by from 5000
to y, 900 majority, but that money would de-
eide how the electoral vote would be thrown;
that his sympathles were with the South, and
that he had 10 his possession letter to Senator
West from Gov. Wells which contained the
statement that the democrats had put up
$l,0OO,OO0, and that the republicans would
need 81 100000 to counteract It, lie SAID he
did not feel disposed to deliver this letter, as it
was not obligatory, and would prefer to follow
his own sympathIes and help the other side,
asking witness if he would cooperate with hin.
The result was witness agreed to do all
he could, though not professionally. l. saw
Mr. John Morrissey and stated these
facts to him. lie said that while he had no
particular computations in paying man to do
what was right, he did not feel that he was 10
that necessity. He said that he would buy
these fellows as readily as he would buy pigs,
or words to that effect, in the interest OF forty
millions of people. but he said that we ali knew
that Tiden was elected and that he had just
received, or the public had just received, H.
formation from Oregon which made it uanc-
cessary to resort to any such measure. saw
Mr.. Hewitt and went over the whole story TO
him. He said that this was the third PROPOSE
ton of this kind that had been made to him
on the part of the returning board OF Loulsl
ana, but that under 10 circumstances would
they entertain any such proposition; that il We
bought them now we would have to buy them
ever hereafter; that ii the country was going
into civil war we might as we'll let it come and
be done with it, but that he had no apprehen
sion OF any such result, and that the country
knew that Gov. Tdcn was elected. | said that
if had $550,OO0 would lay down the $780,
900, which vas the minimum pile that these
gentlemen wanted, and be content to live the
remainder Of my days on the So 900 or to live
in sackcloth and ashes if necessary.
Joseph H. Maddox was then examined. He
stated that he resided 10 Maryland, and is 4
special agent in the revenue service; that he
had known j. Madison Wells about twenty
nine years; knew Mr.. Wells handwriting. The
letter produced by Pickett being shown him
witness identified it, and said he saw Wells
write it in New Orleans. Witness being asked
what took place when Wells handed him the
letter for Pickett, said Wells said that he
trusted me ia this matter and that he wanted
me to protect him; that he placed 4 great deal
Of confidence iI me. lie did not wish tie con-
versations which we had prior to this to be
made public.
Q.-Look at this paper (hanling paper to
witness, and tell me whether it is in your hand
writing? Ayes, sir; it is mine
Q.-To whom did you give this paper? A.,
| gave it to Col. Pickett.
Q.-When he left you in Washington to go
to New York; Ayes, sir.
Mr.. Field read as follows For one million
dollars the vote OF Louisiana can be secured to
Tiden and Hendricks. The manipulation must
be douc by me, and as far as possible to pro-
tect members OF the returning board who may
favor such result; it may he necessary to elect
two or three members OF the board to reach
what We want, the details to be agreed upon,
the money to be paid in installmeDts, say one
quarter when the fifth member is elected; one.
quarter when Que member resigns and another
is elected in his place, and onc'quarter whca
another resigns and another is elected in bis
place, and the balance, one.quarter, 10 be paid
| when the certificates are given.
a l. Ft,ott t,o ,rhIn fol-
gave you to carry out2 Al decline to au-
swer that question.
Q.-That was written on the evening lat
Mr.. Pickett left you to 60 to New York, was it
not? A.-Yes, sir
Mr.. Field. 1.-The last Of these papers which
Mr.. Pickett produced is this telegram: New
Orleans December |, lS7G.-Col. John H..
Pickett, New Y ork avenue, between Thirteenth
aud Fourteenth streets, Washington Iric.
graph party to trust person you wrote about,
may be to your interest. (Signed) JAS. Han.
cock" Is that q telegram which you sent to
Pickett? Al suppose SO. L cannot tell the
exact wording of my telegram.
Q.-Is this a copy Of a telegram which came
to you in answer
Washington, D. g.. Dec. 9. lS7G.-New
York avenue, night message to Jas. Hancock,
No. 1877 Bieovillc street, New Orleans-Tel-
cgraph as desired. Damn my interest. Thlnk
OF tho best interests OF forty millions Of people
Signed Jno T.. Pickett
Did you receive this telegram Al re
ceived one similar to that. | suppose that is
the same.
Q.-What does this mean Telegraph as
desired ," Al decline to answer that ques-
ton.
Mr.. Field Ito witness. I've have got so
far in the story that now ask if you are not
willing to tell US the whole truth?
The witness.-I am not, and | do not feel
really able to 20 into it if was willing.
Q.-Did or did not Mr.. Wells negotiate with
you for the votes of the Louisiana returning
board? Al decline to answer that question.
Odd he authorize you to negotiate
Al decline TO answer that also.
Q.-Ilow came you to make the memorial
dun which [ have read 10 evidence beginning
"for one million Of dollars ?" Al do not
desire to explain it at present. If | explained
that [ would have no hesitation in answering