The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-09
WHO MADDOX rs.
Tho Magistcraal Garfield. the Bloorn-
ing Kelley.

The Magistcrial Garfield. the Bloom
ing Kelley.
(From The New Orleans Democrat, February Sd
Joseph Hancock, as we know, Is the tele-
graphic name of Joseph 81. Maddox, gen.
tleman who has lately become famous
throughout the country as the volunteer
negotiator OF magnificent financial trans
action by which O million dollars were to
pass into the pockets OF the Louisiana Re-
turning officers, for whose character as hon
est men and estimable citizens Senator
Sherman and Representative Garfield have
advertised themselves as sponsors and en-
dorsers. How much Of this sum was to be
conveyed as brokerage or commission to the
ingenious and genial Joseph we can only
conjecture; but we may be sure that he
stipulated for fee commensurate with the
importance Of the object to be accom-
plished.
Claudine is an octoroon, or q very light
o,1adroon: and to the octoroon or the
auadroon latitude, not to say license, of
conduct is permitted which is altogether
denied to their white sisters who desire to
preserve the appearance OF ,decency and
fair repute. ...
In an elegantly furnished apartment OF
the far Claudine's house
THE GENIAL MADDOX
installed himself. Maddox. we must pre-
mise, was not q stranger in New Orleans.
He lived here many years. ago, and had a
career, less brilliant than brief, as proprie-
tor of the Daity Crescent. His first editor
was gentleman named Frost, who, on ac-
count OF q fiery and personal article di-
rected against the Hunt family, came to his
death in duel with DR.. Hunt. His next
editor was Mr.. Johnston, brother OF Gene
raj Joe Johnston, known widely at one time
as II Seggretario, correspondent OF the
National InteUigenCer. After short eXpe-
rience of New Orleans Johnston went away,
and Maddox sold the Crescent and withdrew
from journalism. This was In 1855.
He then returned to Maryland, his native
State, where be remained during the war,
except whilst engaged in journeyins to
Richmond and back, in pursuit OF Confed-
crate contracts on the one hand, and Fede-
raj contracts on the other. Out OF these,
in some inexpIicable way, grew .. a."
A CLAIM UPON THE UNITED STATES FOR
&" ..n.- 100000 &c."
on account of certain tobacco supposed to
have been stored Mt Fredericksburg, and to
have been reduced to premature ashes by
the Union forces. Z. .. b."
When Maddox arrived here and took
lodgings with the fascinating Claudinc he
gave out that he was Treasury agent, and
that lie had been sent out to procure evil
dence against the Wells claims for 1925, 900
and the Baily claim for 100000. In pur-
suit OF this purpose, which was doubtless
genuine, he made a trip up Red river, and
came back charged with proofs Of
RAscALITY on THE PART OF WELLS.
It was this information, perhaps, which
suggested to him the plan OF turning an
honest hundred thousand or so by constitu-
ting himself broker for the sale OF Wells's
power and influence rs president Of the Re-
turning Board. In the mean time
| COLONEL. J. r. PICKETT, ..
then in Washington, wrote to Colo
mel Frank Zacharic and Colonel I. w.
Patton, president OF the Democratic State
Committee, that Maddox was an agent and
SPY OF Chambers, and that it was necessary
| to watch him. He was, consequently,
watched, and discovered to be in frequent
and confidential communication with Wells,
but the nature OF the negotiations going on
between them was not surmised. Maddox
| learned that detectives were on his track,
and he succeeded in connecting this
with Pickett's letter. He Immediately re-
turned to. Washington, and there, it
appears, persuaded Pickett that his
operations were not intended to in
jure Tildcn, but to negotiate for sale
and purchase of the electoral vote OF Louis
lana. On this explanation was based the
mysterious telegram from Pickett to Colo
mel Zacharie: GA double game, but if we'll
informed, might trust person l wrote
about" After this, Maddox came back to
New Orleans to prosecute his schemes,
with tho result that the Democratic COM
mittec declined to make the proposed pur-
chase.
| Whilst Maddox was in New Orleans the
city was also graced and honored by the
presence OF
THE REPUBLICAN "VIsITING STATESMEN
These "eminent citizens" devoted much
time and attention to the solution OF the
difficult problem of carrying for Hayes Il
State which had voted for Tilden, and were
laudably assiduous in their labors to ialsify
the facts Of the election. This patriotic
duty took up so much OF their time that
they had little opportunity for the ameni-
ties Of social intercourse. Nevertheless, they
could not forget that they were gentlemen,
distinguished in social rank as we'll as in
political position, and they naturally missed
the cheering society OF the softer sex and
the gentle dalliance to which they had been
accustomed in the perfumed saloons Of
Washington. ....
1t is sad to tell it, but, nevertheless, we
are forced to admit it as truth, that
THESE CURLED DARLINGs OF SOCIETY
were not regarded as valuable acquisitions
in the social circles of New Orleans. Peo-
pie did not shower invitations upon them
to dinners, to balls, to SoireeS, to SouperS..
The omission may have been owing to the
fact that they came here without the key
which unlocks the doors OF private society in
all civilized communitles-propc letters OF
introduction, or personal acquaintance
with those who have the entree-or 1t may
be that the purpose for which they came
to assure q dishonest count OF votes not ac-
tually cast-did not commend them to favor
as persons to be feted and caressed.
Let this be az it will, the Republican
"visiting statesmen" and :" eminent citi-
zens" were used to spend their evenings
smoking. unlimited cigars, and quaffing in
finite cocktails, and talking indefinite twad-
die in their rooms in the ST. Charles Hotel.
And Of this at last they wearied.
Or this condition OF affairs the sagacious
Maddox became aware. He pitied the Re-
publican statesmen" He sympathized
with them. He would do something to
dispel the gloom which shrouded the eve
ming hours OF the magisterial Garfield, and
which threatened to convert the blooming,
blithesome Kelley into cynical misan-
thrope. Maddox was acquainted with New
Orleans society-at least with that phase OF
New Orleans society which furnishes the
/ \ Al n1H<~