The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-02-08
The Louisiana Testimony.

The Washington correspondent OF the Bal
timore american, OF the LIST, says:
The witness Maddox to-day concluded to
unbosem himself, and without any apparent
desire to withhold what the committee de-
sired, recited 4 story concerning proposal
made by J. Madison Wells, President of tae
Louisiana Returning Board, by which, for
one million dollars, he was to give the State
to either Hayes or Tilden-whoever paid fl r
it. The testimony is covered quite fully in
the general press dispatches Maddox is a
man OF heavy frame, OF more than ordinary
height; he is pow erfully built, but inclined to
be little nabby, through q surplus Of fat,
which, specially on his rubicund face. looks
as if it was ready to drop off. His face is
not bad one. 1t is one, however, which is
susceptible OF sudden and many changes.
At times to-day as he was giving his recita-
ton he looked the embodiment OF good hui
NOR, but in u twinkling he would change his
whole manner to the sullen and morose
The Republicans have this theory Of the
case: Pickett and Maddox have been cen
nected at divers times in various transac-
lions, all of which had for an object the rails
ing Of ssthe wind" They were both asso-
ciated with the Lopez expedition. After the
war Maddox had Il tobacco claim before Coz
gress, and Pickett loaned him some money.
The claim turned out to be bad one, and
Pickett found himself the creditor of Maddox
to the extent OF $4,000. Maddox knew
Wells intimately and had his confiden ce.
The theory is that when the dispute Us to the
true vote of Louisiana was agiIated, Pickett
saw good chance to make q raise, aud at
the same time get the money owed him by
Maddox. Accordingly, knowing that the
latter had been ordered to New Orleans on
revenue service business, he suggested to
him the plan, which was that Maddox should
use his influence with Wells to get frequent
audiences with him, and upon some preteXt
ret a letter from Wells, which could be- con-
strued without explanation in a way to look
upon its face as if it had relation to bar
gain to sell out the State, whereas it's true in
depreciation in connection with The subj ect
upon which it was really written would show
it quite harmless. Enough has been devel-
oped in to-day's cross-examination to lead to
the very plausible conclusion that Pickett
and Maddox thoroughly understand each
other, and chat their game was little OF the
him to be a very INSCRIPTIONS man. He was
at one time the editor of the New Orleans
Crescent; afterwards he was : blockade run
ner. and employed by ex-President Lincoln
and Secretary Seward to collect information
within the Confederate lines.
Alexander Walker, with whom Maddox
endeavored to make negotiations, was a we'll
known journalist, aud formerly editor of the
New Orleans Picayune. He is an influential
Democrat in New Orleans, and was willing
to listen to the scheme laid out by Maddox.
Mr.. Hewitt will be a3witnoss to prove the
visit OF Pickett to him in New York. Secrc-
tary Cameron will also probably be called
with reference to Maddox's interview with
him, and John Morrissey will also be sum
moned. The testimony has created quite a
sensation here, although when Governor
Wells is heard it is said that the edge will be
completely taken off of the dramatic recita-
ton of the two 'sdistin .uished" negotiators
for 'that milion.'