New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-02-07

AhO AhNObNAAatVE5s
Those mysterious letters, which would de-
monstrate the dishonesty and duplicity of
Governor Wells, and over which go much
excitement was reused in this city last
week, were exhibited before the House
Committee on Powers and Privileges on
Saturday. Mr.. Maddox, who, as special
agent of the Treasury Department, had in
gratiated himself into the confidence of
several Louisiana Republicans, submitted
the following letter, which was read before
the committee by Mr.. David Dudley Field:
New ORLEANS, November 20, 1876.
To Mr.. J. H. Maddox, New Orleans:
DEAR misunderstanding the political
condition Of matters here from association
with both political parties and the friend of
the President and government officers,
would it not be considered part of your -
to go at once to Washington, with as little
delay as possible, and place before the
President the condition and pending dan
gers of the situationl Should you conclude
upon prompt action in the premises, allow
me to commend you to Senator West, who
is my friend, and with whom yOu will freely
communicate. Yours, very truly,
j. MADISON WELLS.
At this point, Senator West entered the
room, opened the letter addressed to him,
and read the contents as follows;
New ORLEANS, La, November 81, 1876.
To Hon. J. B. West, Washington, D. c.:
MY DEAR SENAToB-I regret much not
seeing You when here. / wanted to say
much to you which would be at least i'm
prudent to put upon paper. | trust, how
ever to meet you in Washington as soon as
the canvass is over which lie upon us. Our
duties as returning officers have augmented
the magnitude of the destiny of the two
great parties-may not say the nation
l fully comprehend the situation, as well as
my duty to the greatest living General, U.
s Grant; and not with my consent shall
this oppressed people be governed by his
paroled prisoners, aided by the white-iiv-
cred towards of the North.
Let me, my esteemed sir, warn you of
the danger. Millions have been sent here,
and will be used in the interest of Tilden,
unless there is some counter movement.
1t will be impossible for me or any other in
dividual to arrest its destructive results.
The gentleman presenting this letter is
fully aware of the moves, and if you allow
will communicate freely to our friends and
act promptly, or the results will be disas.
trOus. A word to the wise. Strictly private
and confidential. Yours, very truly,
j. MADISON WELLS.
These are the letters that we're depended
to sell out the electoral vote of Louisiana
upon to prove that Governor Wells proposed
1t has been seen that the developments
have not equaled the expectation of the
Democrats, who we're considerably CALLED
at the epithets applied to them ia the letter
to Senator West.
On Monday, Governor Wells was on the
stand, and again on Tuesday. He was
treated by the committee as if he we're q
wild beast; every effort was made to annoy
and harass him, TO throw him off his
guard, but with no sppreciable results, so
far rs his testimony is concerned. Cover
nor Wells has proved himself about the
hardest case to bullyrsg a congressional
committee ever got hold of, while the
committee has shown itself the most despi-
cable and disgracefnl body that ever con.
vened under that name since the founda-
tion of the government. Their treatment
brutal. The prisoners have not been per-
mitted to communicate with their friends,
except in the presence of a deputy jaiIor,
while their enemies have been permitted
among them ad i6itltn.
Sergeant-at-AIms Thompson, of the
House, declines to allow subpenas to be
served on members of the Louisiana Re-
turning Board by the Sergeant-at-Arms of
the Senate, who is directed to have them
brought before the Senate Committee on
Privileges and Elections for examination.
Thompson SAYS the witnesses are in his Gus
tody under order of the House, and being
for their safe keeping he will
not permit the Senate to obtain custody of
them without an order of the House.
A Washington special to the Chicago
Tribune says:
A Republican lawyer connected with the
Louisiana case said this tonight: ave
can not at present give our side of the
Louisiana bribery story. 1t is the purpose
Of the Democratic committee, under Dudley
Fields leadership, to conceal the Republican
side Ofthe case, and possibly the Democrats
hope to prevent it being made public at any
time. All / can say is that it is a most
damnable conspiracy, and that in 9 few
days we shall be able to prove this to the
of every honest man in this
country. Meanwhile, tell the people of the
country not to be disturbed. The whole
story is q conspiracy of perjured and in
dicted thieves and scoundrels, and when the
truth is told the public will be startled"