The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-07-08
THE RETURNING BOARD INDICTMENTS
The sensation Created in Administration
Circles by tho News.


Circles by tho News.
IN. Y. Trbune.l
4 WASHINGTON, July Shelters and tel
egrams have been received by members
OF the Administration. from New Or.
leans, stating that Messrs. Wells and
Anderson were indicted June ~ by q
\ grand Jury, for their action as members
4 OF the Returning Board. IL Is O strange
Il circumstance that no information ol
A this has boon telegrnphed to the news.
papers by the Associated Press agent.
1t appears from these letters that the
charge against the members OF the
board is that OF perjury for having
falsely sworn that they had correctly
accordance with law. The Vernon
parish case Ia said to be the one relied
kon for o conviction. Among the letters
IL one from Mr.. Wells to the President,
expressing considerable concern at the
situation, and characterizing the pro-
ceeding rs q political persecution and
gross violation Of tho pledges OF the
Nichols party.
This news has created decided SEN
sation ia Administration circles, and
the action Of the grand jury Is vehe-
mently denounced ms q breach OF faith
on the part OF the Nichols government.
The President feels very much ont
ragged at the proceeding, as do all the
members Of the Cabinet. When the
settlement which left Gov. Nichols In
undisputed power was made by the
Commission which visited New Orleans
In April, tho most ample promises were
volunteered by the Nichols party that
There should be no persecution OF Re-
publicanB for any political acts done In
The past. Gov. Nichols wrote u letter
20 the Commission to this effect, and
personally pledged his honor to do all
an mis- power to carry out these assur-
ances. His Legislature passed a series
pa resolutions. among which was the
following:
DESTROYS Of healing the dssensions that havs
disturbed the State for years past, aud anxious
nat the citizens OF all political parties piay be
roe from feverish anxotios OF political strife ana
DIN hands IN honestly restoring the prosperity OF
oulslana, the Nichols government will discoun.
snaneo any attempted perst cution from any
nsrtor Of individuals for past political conduct.
X IL is not believed possible by people
amiliar with Louisiana affairs t6atI
iov. Nichols is violating this pledge, or
conniying at Ito violation BY others. |
10 thought to bea man or high |
Use OF honor who made the pledges |
did last April with the honest pur-
o OF carrying them out. Together |
the leading members OF his govern |
Mt, he ID understood to be strongly |
,osed to keeplngalive the animosities
ne past and deBiroua OF inaugurating |
eign Of good feeling. It 10 probable
y the movement against the men,
OF the Returning Board has been
on foot by what III known us the ''last |
Itch" element In Louisiana politics, an
cement ledby Lieut.. Gov. Wiltz, which
10 no sympathy with men like Gov.
icholls, Major Burke, ex-Gov. Penn,
congressman Gibson and other Conser.
atives. It will very likely turn out that
1e Bourbon leaders, stimulated by Mr..
'iiden's friends In New York, finding
nat they could control the Grand Jury,
ave procured the indictments for the
urpose OF keeping up the Presidential
1ntroversy. The Administration can,
I course, do nothing about the mat
pr. 1t is wholly State affair, inasmuch
q the indictments are found under
tate laws, In State court, against
tate officials on account OF alleged
4 .alfeasance In the performance OF the
|auties OF State officers. The President
understood. In discussing the ques-
lon to-day, that he saw no other way
or the members OF the board to pursue
than TO let the prosecution take Its
course, and In the event OF q conviction
rely upon Gov. Nichols to pardon them.
which he believes the Governor will
feel bound to do by his obligation as o
gentleman OF honor. The case, IL 1t
goes on trial, will be heard by Judge
Whitaker, OF the Superior Criminal
Court OF the city. He Is said to be q
fair man OF conservative tendencies, who
has o great many Republican friends.