The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-06
From Our Regular Correspondent

/ +.
From Our Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON, February 5.-Knotts spe
cial committee were engaged all day, in ex
aiming Casanova and Wells, Of the Lou
isiana Returning Board. The former proved
to be very improbable witness, as HI
either. was or pretended to be ignorant. HI
has certainly less than ordinary intelligence
and was probably kept in ignorance by
Wells and Anderson OF their doings.
CASANOVA AND WELLS ON THE STAND.
Caasanove declared he knew of no change:
made in the returns from any part oil, Lou
isiana by the Returning Board. Did no.
know Maddox, nor anything of the alleged
negotiations between him and Wells. Does
not remember that any member OF the
Board proposed. to elect Democratin place
Of Arroyo, who had resigned in 1873. Did
not feel it to be his duty, and does not know
whose duty it was to propose it. The only
thing done in secret sessions Of the Board was
to compile the returns and ascertain the re-
suit The figuring was done by Anderson
and Kenner. The latter kept memoranda
for himself and Casanova, and witness
could not remember much about what
parishes or precincts were thrown out, nor
fraud; nor what maiorlty'there was for either
party on the face OF the returns or after
some were thrown out. The final return
was made on the 9Th or 9th OF January.
Did not remember whether it was signed
by all OF the Board or not, nor whether it
was for Tilden or Hendricks. All afidaYits
or protests received came in with the re-
turns to which they related Mr.. Field
showed witness letter from Grady, super
visor OF Ouacnita, to the Board, saying he
did not send the affidavit of Eliza Pinkston
until alter the return was sent in, but
hoped it would lie used. Casanova couldn't
remember anything about that parish. -
Wells was called by the Republicans to
rebut the testimony OF Maddox and Little
field. and he did It by flat denials OF every
thing, except that he admitted writing tile
letters produced heretofore by Maddox, but
said they were written at Maddox's request,
80 that he might inform the President OF
the condition OF affairs in Louisiana.
He met Maddox in Washington two or
three years ago, and did not see him again
until last November, and then at New Or
leans. He said he was an officer OF the Gov
eminent sent there to look into the poiiti-
cal affairs of Louisiana. He desired to know
Wells's opinion, saying he found
THE PEOPLE WERE VERY MUCH INCENSED
AGAINST WELLS,
and had determined not to submit to the
GOV eminent of Packard il declared elected.
Wells says he replied: "If that is the
case why can't you go to Washing
ton and inform the Government Of
those facts" Afterwards Maddox said
he was going, and asked Wells to sign n
letter which he (Maddox) had written CON-
mandatory Of himself and addressed to the
President. Wells did sign it and gave
Maddox also two other letters produced
heretofore by Maddox, and he left Tor Wash
ington. a day or two afterwards he went
to Wells's room, saying he could not get
off as soon as he expected. Wells said he
was glad, because he wished to write to
Senator West, which he then did, and gave
! the letter to Maddox. The latter went
| away and in few weeks came back, saying
he had been up to the Red River district
attending to Government business.
| UNION MAN SINCE 1859.
Wells denied having had any conycrsa-
ton with Maddox about procuring money
for any member Of the Board for the vote
OF Louisiana nor about an offer from the
Democrats. He (Wells) does know CAL
vert, and had been assisted by him in get
ting voters to the polls at the election in
1875. Denied having seen any OF the tele-
grams signed by " Hancock" and had no
arransem with Calvert to receive tele-
grams for him (Wels). Don't know and
never heard OF Pickett. -.... -
Maddox did not inform Wells that the
letter to West was not delivered, and Wells
never expressed satisfaction that it was not
delivered. .,.-.. .....,,. z
Wells boosted to the committee that he
had been Union man since 1859, and
during the war had been prosecuted by the
rebels, and said it was scarcely probable
that he would ask Maddox or anybody else
TO get anybody to protect him IN carrying
out his principles. -..,. IF
Ray. the counsel OF the Board, was en-
ployed to look out for the interests OF the
Republican party, and he believed that the
Democrats had counsel employed for SIM
ilor purpose. Had never said he wanted
money for himself and a less amount Tor
the & niggers." He considered the colorea
members OF the Returning Board as cit'-
zens and gentlemen, and he so treated ana
spoke OF Them; ;fA 49, 49, 5&'t'
WELLS REFUSES TO TELL ABOUT THE BOARD.
Wells refused to testify in regard to any
action OF the Board, except as to vernon
parish, until he should have been relieved
OF The, punishment which had been plaeed
by the House. ! he pronounced Llttleheld
an "unmitigated liar.m No papers from
Vernon parish were burned. There were
no fill lists or tally-sheets from, Vernon
only a compiled statement.
Tbe letter to Senator West was written
by him (Wells) without suggestion OF die
tation from anybody. The paragraph about
matter he did "not wish to trust to pa
per" referred to a combination in
the Republican party OF Louisiana 70
defeat West for the senatorshlp; tha'
about the. importance OF the election
meant that the election Of Presidenthlngeo