New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-22
WASHINGTON.
KNOTTS NQUISITION.
}. MADISON WELLS OF LOUISIANA GIVES THE COM
MrTTEE LITTLE SATISFACTION.
BIT TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.1

lBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBUNE.I
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21-J. Madison Wells,
President Of the Louisiana Returning Board, did not
tnrn ont to be very fruitful witness on his examination
by the Knott Committee yesterday. David Dudley Field.
who conducted the examination, unable TO learn
from him why the vacancy 10 the board caused by the
resignation OF the Democratic member two years ago
had not been filed Mr. Wells simply said that the board
never resolved to reject admit another person as men,
Der of president board put the propo
sition Of filing the vacancy TO vote but simply asked
the members informal way when they would take
action. Mr. Wells also denied any very positive knowl-
edge as to the effect Of rejecting votes from several
parishes upon the general result of the election in
Louisiana. He admitted that 1t reduced the Democratic
vote and presumed" that 1t changed the result, but
said he did not know how much, whether 1000 or TO-,
OOO be had no personal knowledge IN regard 10 the In
tmdaton OF voters In that State in reference 10 the
preparation OF afi1avits in the Ncw-Oreans Custom
house. The impression which nc lrft upon the c0nl-
mittee that OF very unwilling witness, disposed To
tell no more than was absolutely necessary.
THE COMMITTEE QUESTIONS CASHIER ROBERTS, Mr..
CHANDELIERS PRIVATE SECRETARY. AND MEssRs.
WELLS AND ANDERSON OF TIE RETURNING
BOARD.
WASHINGTON, Jan 21.-The Committee on
the Powers Privileges and Duties OF the House had be
fore them yesterday Cashier Oswin d. Roberts Of the
Second National Bank OF NcwYorA, and Messrs Wells
and Anderson OF the Louisiana Returning Board, and
others.
Mr. Roberts testified to his bank issuing certificates Of
deposit for IS 900 the order Of T. Chandler Chairman
the Republican Committee, which came back with the
Endorsements: "Pay 5. b. Packard or order T. Chan
dlor. Pay James L. Ayr. 5. b. Packard Pay Winslow,
Lanier & Co. James T.. Ayr"
G. W. Partridge the private secretary Of Chandler
asked by Mr. Field OF the committee Whistler he had
any letters dispatches sen by r Chandler to any per-
son in Florida South Carolina, North Carolina Lous-
and Oregon any letters or kilograms received by
him from persons in those States The witness In reply
produced copies OF letters which privately exam
sled by the committee, when OF the letters We're
read and put in evidence They written respect
lively by j. b. Stockton dated NewOrieans, Nov. H. TO
the effect that Il steps taken Immediately the G-
davts OF twelve thousand Republican voters could
be obtained shO sing that they deprived or the ex-
ercise Of the ballot by violence and Intimidation The
writer was the chief deputy Of Marshal Ptkn. lie says
II You could send trusty person here with funds. or
authorize 10 draw for such sums rs may he
needed 20 have the proper testimony taheh thrOuout
the "builaozilg" parishes, such testimony could be
piled up Of frauds and outTagcs daunEbe - pre-
cude the possibility OF any President taking his seat
who elected by such frauds.
The other letter dated Greensboro rov 20. and
was from T. b. Keosh, in which he says, addressing z.
Chandler that he has done what he could toward getting
UP evidence OF Illegal voting in North Carolina, ana that
fair count would show the election Of the Republican
ticket; be crippled in means that be could not
afford furnish the % establishing frauds Sew
era other letters the political situation we're read.
among them the following:
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 90.
JOHN T. CRAMER. ThomdsriHe. y. g.
DEAR SIR: Your favor OF Ism has been received
and cont+uta noted What relation North
Carolina and other Southern states July believe en-
tirelv correct II would have been great national ca
lamity. at the South - well as tue Noih Ead Iiheh
succeeded in getting hmscf elected frcs dent HO man
VITO cudncuanccs aud uses the means he ms 7" promote
his election should ever De- entrusted win sucn
Erec,tIHe If his ration The sooner such turbulent
hen
the be tier for The country. Very truiJ yours,
IL CHANDLER, Chairman.
The witness stated to questions that the tel
er7,ns sent from aud received b. Mr. Chandler from
tin 10 time were destroyed he did think there
anything in them about furnishing money or troops
Thomas C. Joynder. telegraph operator at Franklin,
North Carolina, testified HAT he remembered hearing
messages going through, but could not tell their exact
phraseoogy; So far as could remember, they were
,eued Chandler and al ressed to Thomas d. Keogh OF
North Carolina they were the following effect I'VE
think Hayes elected, but II possible bold your state
and We think Hayes elected, but wish TO add your
State" witness said OF the telcgfams was rather A
Ion. one he did not think 1t mentioned any means OF
holding on 70 The State.
J. Madison Wells President Of the Louisiana Return
ing Board was examined 10y Mr.. Field His testlinon.
WAS unmportant Mr. Lawrence objected 70 Questioning
him in reference to the of the election, bus
oyerrulei by the committee b. vote Of four to two but
Mr. Wells had not changed his mind with the figures,
and could not answer the que tOns pat 20 him He said
however inat ne did not personality &Eo" 0i any one
being deprived of hi@ ltwfu. vote ny intimidation .
The testimony o. Gen. Anderson was also Gni 0rtJnt
THE ONLY thing lie sad worth mentioning was that We
reason why DR. Kennedy not apl oint,d 10 tlc ne
turning Board was that the poard cou no' ~
The committee, after continuous session OF four
hours adjourned Until Monday morning.
cor pCrTaNrS TTTrGR ANS