The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-01


six or eight months ago Maddox, 10 support himself
and his iani!y, was compelled 10 take governments
| office agent Of tho Treasury Department. Last
November Maddox, for some purpose or another was
sent downto New orleans Pickett did not know tho
object OF his Journey and being an earnest democrat
and Southern man, no felt It his duty to warn the
leading democrats OF that State against Maddox The
next tidings hs had from Maddox, he says was the
PROPOSITION WELLS
for the Returning Board give the electoral Of
the State OF Louisiana to Governor Tlden consider
alton Of u. 000 00o That proposition was clear and
specific Colonel Pickett felt II be his duty he says,
lay the proposition managers OF the party
in New York. Accordingly, he went to that city,
Mr. Hewitt and laid the before him. Mr. Hew-
lit absolutely declined 10 have anything do with IT,
He, however, fully approved Colonel Pickett's
action 10 tho matter, but gave him
to show why neither Mr.. Tilden nor
himself would have anything to do with the
Returning Board Pickett also saw John Morrissey
the subject Morrissey, with characteristic frank
ness SAID If It were necessary thought would DO
gooo thing to pay those scoundrcs for doing
their duty, but he thought unnecessary; that
MIR. Tildcn had carried Louisiana and could be
cheated out OF its vote.
While the stand to-day Maddox declined to
answer tho question whether Wells had positively
authorized him TO make the proposition TO sell tho
vote Of the State.
WHAT WELLS WANTED.
Colonel Pickett says tonight your correspondent
that ne and Maddox had had frequent Conversations
ON the subject. On occasion Maddox told him
| that Wells that his sympathies were with The
democratic party thar he and his family had lost caste
In the State and we're obtain
social status aud recognition, but that he needed
money and he thought the democratic party could
uffo IN nav no he had II
in his power to give It by declaring the of tho
state for Governor Tlden.
THE LOWEST FroURE
Wells asked 81 o0O, 0OO but he and his associates
the Board were willing to sell out Tor less They would
have taken $500 OO0 that their lowest figure.
If the proposition had been accepted Kennedy, tho
democratic member who suggested as the proper
person to all the vacancy on the Board, would have
been appointed, and upon his appointment the lrst In
stament Of the money was to be paid.
NEGROES CHEAP.
The colored members of the Board WERE be SAYS
willing to 60 cheap Twenty or thirty thousand dollars
would satisfied lhem and their intention 10
leave the country.
This is the story Of Colonel Pickett. he says TO-
night that IL Maddox will tell the whole story
row and tell truthfuy, he must testify to this effect
Mr. NADD0xs STORY
J. II. Maddox was next waited upon, and he gave
the HERALD representative the following account Of
his connection with the Louisiana busincss:-
~ was ordered to New Orleans revenue officer Of
the United States government. was assigned
TO district in the South made up Of
Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, with headquarters
at New Orleans was there In discharge Of my
duties accordingly while the Returning Board was In
session. Wells having beon a ncighbor OF mine In
years past and myself an old resident and proprietor
Of newspaper, the Crescent, In New Orleans very
naturally called to him. and the political situation
often becoming the topic Of cverybOdy's
while was In New Orleans, became very familiar
with the facts touching the contest. became
satisfied that the democrats had honestly carried tho
State OF Louisiana. The opportunity presented itself
Of serving people who had my sympath es aud as
my appointments was not political ono awaited my
self OF It TO render them what assistance could hon.
oraby in their trouble The Of the State
eaten up by carpet-ba
CoRREsPoxDEST-How did you become aware of tho
antiques connected with the Louisiana State govern
ment during the last campagny
Mr.. MADD0x-l was nm observant man from being
the spot and learned from the politicians on both
sides the exact mr. rmalion.
CoRREsroNDExT--To what did this information tend {?
MADDox-To convince me that there had been
complete victory for the democrats and some OF the
leading republicans did not deny tho fact but relied
necessary
give them majority.
CORREsPoNDENI-What do you know about the offer
OF money in connection with tho political campaign
from either tho democratic or republican party TO
affect the resultg
Mr. MADDox-l don't know anything about It
only know that authorized say the vote
Louisiana would be cast Tor Tden for consideration.
CoRREsPoNDENT-What was TO be your consideration,
Mr.. Maddox
MADDox-I was to DO provided for There was no
amount xed was 1t matter Of pccuniary consid
Grafton to mo.
CoRREsPoNDEyT-Wha do you think Of the morality
Of the transaction?
MADpox-I believe 1t to have been emin emily proper
was satisfied that no man could get his rights IN
Louisiana unless no paid for them. and considered IL
better TO buy them than to lose them. l under
stand that may DO cheaper to buy your rights
to fight for them.
CoRREsPoNDENr-What part Of the $1,000, 900
said TO have been offered for the control OF the
Louisiana Returning Board, If any, were you to re.
ceivcy
MADD0x-There was any serious idea of o.
tanning that amount, and there amount fixed
for me in case arrangement made, though
mus confess | was promised something but as said
before, that did not weigh with me at ALL
CoRREsPoNDExT-What do you know about Pickett
and what relation docs he bear to the political affairs
Of Louisiana ana the Wells Returning Board as now
presented before the House com mi,teey
MADDox-Coiouel Pickett is a gentleman of nigh
character and warm personal friend OF nine. He is
hearty in his sympathies for the southern people.
selected HIM to conduct the negotiation that would
the vote OF Louisiana by the Returning Roard
TO the democratic party Ho entered into the matter
earnestly and dd what he could to secure favorable
result
FULL STATEMENT TO MADE.
CoRREsPoSDEyT-Do you intend to answer the ques-
tions OF the committee TO- morrow?
MADDox-Yea | propose TO give full and fair
statement without reserve In eApllnat OF my re-
usal TO answer the questions propounded TO me yes.
terday deem due - myself to state that my re-
iusal arose from a dissemination to commit
breach of confidence l asked for the delay