The Portland daily press., 1877-02-17
LOUISIANA.
More of Littlefield's True Enwardness,

More of Liitlefield's True Inwardness.
WASHINGTON, Feb 16.-Gifford, who is in
volved in the Littlefeld business, testified
to-day that Littletield and Spearng have stated
that they were approached by prominent
Democrats to tell for money what they knew
about the returning board Littefield said he
had been approached by Gov. Palmer of Hi
nois, and could get $4,000 for 'squealipg -
Littleheld said great frauds had been COM
mtted by the board in Vernon parish returns;
that parish gave nearly solid vote for Tilden,
but had been taken up again and altered so as
to elect the state Senator and District Attorney
whom Wells favored. Littlefield and Spearipg
finally suggested to Clifford (the witness) that
he communicate with Republican friends in
Washington and see it some arrangement
could not be made whereby they could be paid
as much as the Democrats would give for the
Vernon parish papers. Clifford telegraphed to
Senator Allison the following afternoon and
received reply, and showed them the con
tents. Witness has no copy of either despatch
The reply was, that it was safe to consult
Howe, and if that cannot be done, come on to
WASH ngton. They objected to witness going
to Howe but witness did see him and told
Howe what he had heard. Howe replied the
committee were there to expose all frauds and
the best thing witness could do would be to
expose all he knew. Witness was going to
Texas and suggested to Senator Wadleigh he
might hear from man named Littletield in
Washington Wadlegh said he was sorry
Littledeld could not be brought before the New
Orleans committee
Witness travelled with Mr.. Collins to San
Antonio and conversed confidentially with
him. Witness regrets to have to reveal his in
tercourse with Collins. Called at his room and
be said he had walked with Littlefield and
SDearing. He said he had previously talked
with them aDd they had again come to hin.
Witness advised him to have nothing 10 do
with them as it was dead beat plan to make
money He replied that it had gone too tar
aud that Judge Murray of ST. Louis, had been
telegraphed to and they must have money to
go to st. Louis Llttlefield told witness that
by Direction of Gov. Wells he altered the re-
turns SO as to elect district attorney and
senator, and that at his suggestion Gov Wells
consented that the returns should be altered so
as to elect district judge who was friend of
Littlefeld When Littlefeld told witness his
purpose to 'squeal," witness expressed his
surprise and dlsapprobation. aud witness re-
piled each clerk had got $2500 each outside
their salary. and int mated the board had done
their work and got their reward aud he had on
ly got petty collectorship which practically
was no reward at all. Collins told witness th at
when Murphy took Littl-field to Palmer at
Springfield, to give him his information, Little
fed demanded his money Palmer replied he
was not going to buy pig 10 bag. Little
field said he must have $500 at any rate
This was refused, but the same arrangement
was made by which Murphy was directed to 90
to New Orleans He did so and witness saw
him there This is what Collins told witness.
Murphy had told him the sergeant-at-arms di-
rectei him to issue subpoena for Govern or
Palmer of Illinois, to appear before the COM
mlttee. Adjourned till Tomorrow.