The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-02-08
THELOUISIANA INFAMY
Wells Attempt to Drive n Big
Bargain.
DAMAGING TESTIMONY AGAINST
SHERMAN'S HONHST RETURN
ING BOARD.

WAsHiNGToN, February l. - The
Committee on the Powers, Privileges
and Duties of the House in counting
dOx, who had read an explanation of
his refusal to respond to questions
yesterday. The refusal was because
of his disinclination to commit q
breach of faith. He asked for delay,
that Governor Wells might make a
full statement, but, as the Governor
did not, the witness was now ready to
answer. lie said that before Govern
or Wells wrote the letter to him he
had q compensation with the Governor
with regard to the political situation,
and the difficulties with the Returning
Board. The Governor proposed that
witness should go 10 Washington and
explain the situation. He concluded
he would write a general letter to
witness as confidential, and he also
wrote smother letter to friend ia
Washington. When witness arrived
at Wells office the next morning Que
letter was finished and he was writing
the other. Witness brought away the
letter TO him open. The other (sealed)
was addressed to Senator West. but
had never been delivered. Governor
Wells said his life was in danger,as he
had a very difficult job on hand, and
did not see how he could get through
with it.
Wells said he would like TO serve
his party by making the return for
Hayes, but would not take the risk
unless paid for it. The majority was
very heavy-tOo much for HIM to ham
dle-and he did not know where to
commence TO throw out. lie said the
probability was he would have to
throw out the vote of New Orleans on
the ground. witness thought he meant
of necessity. Wells asked him to go
to Washington, see influential men,
and ubsain protection for him, and
also see whether he could not get the
required money to satisfy him. Wells
said he ought TO have Sl.000,0O0.
Witness showed to the President
and Secretary Cameron the two letters
addressed to him by Governor Wells.
lie told the Secretary that Governor
Wells wanted money, but the Secre-
tsry declined to have anything TO do
with the matter. What Governor
Wells required was to protect him
The programme was that the vacancy
on the Returning Board should be
filled, and Governor Wells should
resign in anger on some account
Witness did not know there was any
special arrangement between him and
Governor Wells about the details, but
witness was required to submit plan
which would be acceptable.
Witness, having been interrogated
relative TO the telegram sent him by
g. NJ. Calvert, said il was understood
betw cen him and Governor Wells that
if the representations at Washington
failed to bring money, then witness
was TO use his own judgment in the
negotiation to give the returns rs they
were made in New Orleans, and that
he should commence second negotia-
ton. The word "hold' in the tele
gram to Governor Wells, signified that
he was TO hold the returns in such a
situation as to make them availabIe at
will. The first negotiation tailed.
Governor Wells state to witness ne
wanted for himself anj General All
dersom at least 500 900 apiece. and a
smaller sum for the dan kies Or negroes
on the teturning Board.
When witness rtturncu 10 New Or
leans he .isd 3 conversation with GOV.
Wells about the failure ui The nrgo-
tia,ion. Witness received dipitcn
'nihnpI spinE-.tt
gotiaiion had tailed, when Governor
Wells suggested That witness endeavor
to make some arrangement with The
Democrats. Witness inade an effort
in that direction, but did not succeed.
Tee IDEA ot witness was, from wha,
Governor Wells said, that he would
throw out votes to he best advantage
in order To produce II certain result,
which would depend on cIrcunistanc-
CS.
Mr.. Lawrence eCoras-eXamineu Mad
duX, vino said in his interview with
Seer, tary Cam. ron lie told the latter
that Governor Wells wanted $1,000,
600, hu, The Secretary declined To have
anything to do with the proposition.
Mr.. Field remarked he saw Gnvcrn-
or Wells present making private OBJ
servatiOns.
Governor Wells replied he only
wanted to hear the truth.
Qirsilon--Did Governor Wells say
any thing 10 you about going TO New
York? An4wer-No.
@ Did he tell you to sec Colonel
Pickett? a. No
Q. Or 10 see any leading Demo
crats2 A. No; that was not necessa-
ry. as what | did was on my own mo-
ton, or the joint motion OF Wells and
myself.
q. Did Wells speak to you Of the
necessity of incurring expenses to
show the Electoral frauds in Louisi-
ana? a. / do not think he did, but
Governor Wells said he must have
money.
Witness had no conversation with
General Anderson on the subject OF
selling the Returning Board. but Gov
ernor Wells said he wanted Ii. r.oney be-
cause it was the last chance he would
have. The matter of the sale of the
State was discussed the 18th OF No
vember between Governor Wells aud
himself
In reply to question whether, as
he testified in his direct examination,
he was sure Colonel Casey said to him
Chandler wanted him to sec about the
political situation iii Louisiana, wit
ness replied in the Affirmative. This
was before witness lett for New Or
leans in his capacity as Revenue ctii-
Ger. He was satisfied Pickett told him
he had written Colonel Zacharie. Dem
ocrat, of New Orleans, saying witness
was dangerous man, and to beware
of him. Witness then testified to his
continued business relations with Col.
Pick EFT.
Mr.. Lawrence said he asked ques-
tions as how there had bsen variety
OF transactions between them, and this
was part of the general conspiracy 10
raise money regardless of the means
by which it was tn be done.
During the late war witness was in