Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-02-06
WASHINGTON.

EXnmfORtiOn of j. Madison Wells
sOntinued-The GOstiemnn fren
LORiHiana SAM o~bsiinets.
WAsnlsGToS, February 6. Tie com
mittee on the powers, privileges and du-
ties OF the bouseiL COUNTING the electoral
vote this morning recalled Governor
Wells, and his cross-examination was
continued. Mr.. Field asked witness
whether just before BE- left New Orleas
he had a discussion with A j. Barrett
member of the Packard legislature,
about the action Of the returning board,
aud be replied that he had.
Question-Was anything said by him
as to having al interview With Governor
Nicholls2 Ansver-Yes.
Qusstion-Did you say in the course
Of your conversation with Barrett that
you had determined to make a state
ment TO GovernOrN icbolls? Answer
1t g q most infamous lie.
Qusstion-Do you mean 10 say that
the question is an infamous lie? An.
swer-I say the substance Of the question
is a lie.
QueStiOu-If you would answer my
question in the way a witness should
answer it, it would be better. Answer
| will not ask your advice as to how
shall answer a question.
The ehairman-You must answer in
response to questions. This is not the
plaza for personal explanations. An.
swer-I al defend myself elsewhere.
Qaestion-Did you state that you had
determined to make a statement to Gov.
Nichols? Answer-No. sir.
Ques.ion-Did you cay anything about
the Intervention Of j. P. Kennedy An,
swer-I did not, sir; Mr.. Barrett had
asked me whether l would have an in,
tervisw with Governor Nichols; | re.
piled | would, as Governor Nichols wal
a gentiman; Barrett made an explsna.
liou in the legislature, r%efutiDg the false
charges against me.
The witness in further response t.
questions said he had a conversation
with j. P. Kennedy, who asked him
whether he had any objections to an in.
tsrvisw with Governor Nichols and b.
replied in language similar to that in biz
conversation witt Barrett; Kennedy
suggested the interview with Governor
Nichols about State matters; both Bar
rett and Kennedy we're hiS political
friends.
QaStion-Did you not state that yor
would make a clean breast Of III An
GEet-It ia . most infamous lie.
Qusstiou-DO you say that you nevsr
said to anybody that you conVersed Will
that you intended 10 make 3 clean breas
ofit2 Acknowledging Of the kind.
Mr.. Field read a letter dated New Or
leans, January ID, 1877, aud signed b,
Governor Wells, IS follows: lam quit,
uuwell, too much so to Gil our engage
ment to day; will inform you to morror
relative to its iul6llmeDt."
Witness said be wrote that note, an,
Kennedy was to have been present at tn
proposed interview with Governor Mich
oils. Witness was asked whether he di,
not an hour after he wrote the sbov
note send another marked Confidential
as follows: Dear Sir-After our frien,
Barrett had left our room there We
PLACED in my hands matters requirin
my absence from New Orleans
Witness said he expected to De back /
a lev days, aud then related that he ha
beea summoned to Washington.
Nj. Field asked an explanation Of th
manner Of proceeding TO canvass th
vote in Louisiana. Witness said that o
Saturday he had seat a note 70 the con
mite skiing to be heard only With re.
ereuce to Maddox and Vernon parisl
and he did not intend to throw away hi
rights as an American citigsn and b
forced to answer questions on other sui
jectS. He desired 10 answer no oths
questions whatever until tho hous
should relieve him from the charge {
contempt Of its authority. When thu
relieved he would feel free TO answe
The chairman reminded the witnes
if he thus persisted ho would again be- i
contempt, and such would be the opinio
OF the commission aud Of tho public.
Mr.. Field followed this reminder b
asking a number Of questions regsrdin
irregularities, forged sAidavits, addiu
votes to Hayes aud taxing votes fror
Tilden, but witness waS obdurate, onl
- Al