Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-02-12
WASHINGTON.
Secretary Merrill.

Dr. Pope reports that Secretary Morrills condi-
ton has improved decidedly within the last twen-
ty-si1 hours His preliminary symptoms are much
relieved and the fever is almost gone. He sleeps
quietly, takes nourishment freely and indications
OF his recovery are promising.
PERSONAL.
Alexander H. Stephens physician reports that
he has suffered from pneumonia followed by acute
bronchitis. He is rapidly improving.
The Florida Case.
1t is now arranged by the democrats that OBJ
jections signed by at least five senators and FIVE
representatives, shall be interposed against the
counting of the Florida vote in arcoiu. g. van
the decision of the electoral commission. The
two houses will then separate to consider the OBJ
jecuons, and any senator or representative may
speak ten minutes until debate shall have lasted
two hours in each house, when il shall be the duty
of the respective presiding officer to put thesmain
question without further debate. Unless the two
houses concur in over-ruling the commissions de-
cision it must stand.
Rear Admiral Theodus Bailey died here this
morning. lie was on the retired list since 0cto-
Der 10th.
The Oregon Electoral Case.
The postmaster general produced as from files
OF the department, all papess bearing upon the
resignation of Watts, which show that the latter
resigned his position as postmaster, by telegraph
on Nov. 18th, and that telegraphic acceptance was
sent by the postmaster general on Nov. l4th.
Report.
Representatives Hurlburt, Townsend, Danford,
Grape and Joyce have made their minority re-
port in the Louisiana investigation, concluding as
follows
Resolved, That the election held for presiden-
tial electors in Louisiana, November 7, 1876, was
examined into, determined declared and promul-
gated by the proper authorities of said State,
under all the forms of law, and in conformity with
the constitution Of the United States.
The Returning Board.
John +. Mulhern clerk Of the Louisiana re-
turning board testified this afternoon that after
seeing Wells and Littlefeld in private converse
ton, the latter went to q desk and made some
ensures. Also saw slips in the hands of Majo
Eaton and Littlefeld containing the total elector-
al vote the democratic majority ON which was four
thousand. Afterwards saw them and the figures
had been changed some. Afidavits were made by
the clerks, in which most any name was used, but
could not tell if any were used after the last week
in November. The congressional candidates and
Packard were admitted to the rooms, and the
changes were made in the electoral votes by order
Of Judge Davis.
He saw the statement of Vernon parish on the
I'd of December, and that vote was very small.
On the 4th Littlefeld told him he had fixed it.
Couldn't say the members of the board knew the
clerks were making up afidavits Made some
himself. Signed names to them and made cross
marks by direction of Littlefeld.
Henry Z. Dibble, congressman from the first
district, had had access TO the rooms Of the board
also and at one time brought in Q slip containing
the vote for him as stated the custom house re-
turns. Saw alterations made by some Of the
clerks on consolidated statements from different
parishes.
Q. Do you know what clerks did this
A. l don't want to know.
Y. Who did it
A. changed one myself made these alter
atoms with ink. Witness explained that the
changes were these That these vote of the elect
ors was equaized, that Is, if the first elector had
say SOC votes and the third elector 2l0 votes the
clerks were directed to increase the latter to the
same number of the first vote. If this was doing
wrong there witness had done wrong.
Q. Do you know what a consolidated state
ment is.
A. Yes, do. There is not man in the coun-
try that knows it any better. (Laughter)
Witness stated that he never made any altera-
tons on these consolidated statements, but Flana-
gen and Asbury did. The changes by these two
clerks were made in the body Of the statement,
but witness did not see them change any footing.
Witness committed no forgery any paper re-
lating to the election.
Q-Have you not been drinking to-day
A-Early this morning.
Q-Are you not intoxicated now
A-No sir.
Q-Whsre did you drink
A-Down at the National Hotel.
Q-With whom
Al don't know their names.
Odd you take drink later than that
A-About two o'clock did.
Q-Nothing since thenf
A-No sir.
Q-What did you drink at o'clock
A glass Of water.
Q-What did you drink this morningi
A glass of ale, lass of cider, toddy and
. cocktail. l also took couple Of cigars. loud
laughter.)
Q-With whom have you conversed regarding
what You knew, since you have been here.
A-With no one. / have been asked by three
or four what was going to testify, but did not
tell them.
Q-Who asked your
A--William II. Green former clerk Of the
board.
Q-Have you conversed with Judge Cavanae as
A-No sir. When first went upon the stand
handed him paper with two questions wanted
asked of me.
Q-Were they askedi
A-No sir.
Q-Whst were they'
Al cannot remember now.
Q-Why-
Witness-Mr. Chairman, is this a proper que,
ton to ask of me,
The Chairman--It is.
MIR. Mash-If you remember. answer the ques
ton.
Mr.. Lawrence-Well will you answeri
Al can't remember.
lie remembered taxing two toddes about two
o'clock with Mr.. Benjamin, but did not know
Benjamin was . witness.
The affidavits made by the clerks purported to
he accounts of violence and intimidation at the
polls.
The alterations were made in the Supervisors
returns. and from these changed statements the
final computations were made.
Adjourned.
Committee Meeting.
A meeting of the full senate committee on cleo
tons was held to-day. A memorial of bankers,
merchants and clergymen of Louisiana, presented
to the senate February LIST, called up by sens-
tor Howe, who asked the committee to subpoena
witnesses to testify before the senate Louisiana
committee, all persons who signed the above men,
toned memorial. The proposition was strongly
opposed by the democratic members.
The committee directed Senator Mitchell to re-
port Conrad n. Jourdan, cashier of the Third Ma
tional Bank of New York to the Senate as being
in contempt.
The grounds for this action are as follows: On
January LIST subpoena was issued directing Jour
dan to appear before the committee with an alb
stract OF his books showing the accounts of Sam
uel j. Tilden. w. 7. Pelton and Abram S. Hewitt
during the late political campaign and up to the
LIST Of February, 1877, Jourdan had not obeyed
the summons, and consequently decided to re-