The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-02-07
LOUISIANA INVESTIGATION.
Examinntion OI ]. Alndison we'll,

EAAuHAllllllOu VI D. nllu1hOn WelIh
WASHINGTON, February O.-The Com
mittee on the Powers and Privileges Of
the House in Counting the Electoral
Vote this morning recalled Gov. Wells,
and his cross-eXamination was continu-
ed. ... ....
Mr.. Field asked him whether lust be-
fore he left New Orleans he had n discus.
sion with j. Barrett, member Of the
Packard Legislature, about the action Of
the Returning Board, and he replied that
he Ind not.
Q, Was anything said by him Us to
having IN iterview with Gov. Nichols?
A. Yes.
Q. Did you say in the course Of your
conversation with Barrett that you had
determined to make n statement to Gov.
Nichols? A. 1t is most infamous lie.
q. Do you mean 10 say the question is
an infamous lie? A. say the substance
OF the question is lie.
Q. II you would answer my questions
in the way witness should, II would be
better. A. will not ask your advice rs
to how | shall answer questions.
The Chair-You must answer in re-
spOnse to questions. This is not place
for personal explanations. A. can de-
fend myself elsewhere.
Q. Did you say that you had deter
mined TO make statement to Gov.
Nicholls7 A. No, sir.
@. Did you say anything about the
Intervention Of J. p. Kennedy? A. did
not, sir. Mr.. Barrett had asked me
whether ! would have an interview with
Gov. Nichols. l replied that ] would,
as Gov. Nichols was a gentleman.
Witness, in further response to qucs.
lions, said he had a conversation with J.
p. Kennedy, who asked him il he had
any objection to an interview with Gov,
Nichols, and he replied in language sim
liar to that in his conversation with Bar
rett. Kennedy suggested an interview
with Nichols about State matters. Both
Barrett and Kennedy were his political
friends.
Q. Did you not state that you would
make clean breast Of it? A. It is a most
infamous lie.
z. Do you mean to say that you never
said to any body, that you convcrsed with,
that you intended to make clean breast
Of it? A. Nothing Of the kind.
Mr.. Field read letter dated New Or.
leans, January II, 1876, and signed by
Gov. Wells, as follows: ~ am quite
unwcll, too much so to fill our engage.
ment to-day, will inform you tomorrow
in relation TO the fultillment." Witness
said he wrote that note and Kennedy was
to have been present at the proposed in.
terview with Gov. Nichols. Witness
was asked whether he did not an hour
after he wrote about the note, send an
other naked confidential; as follows:
"DEAR SIR-Aiter our friend Barrett
had left our room there was placed in
my hands matters requiring my absence
from New Orleans"
Witness said he expected TO he back in
q few days, and then related he had been
summoned TO Washington.
Mr.. Field asked an explanation Of the
manner OF proceeding with the canvass Of
the vote in Louisiana.
Witness said on Saturday lie had sent
n note TO the committee asking to he
heard only with reference to Maddox and
Vernon parish, and he did not intend to
throw away his rights as an American
citizen, and refused to answer questions
on other subjects. He desired to answer
no other questsons whatever until the
House should relieve him from the
charge OF contempt Of its authority.
When thus relieved he would feel free tC
answer.
The Chairman reminded witness il lie
thus persisted he would again be in con
tempt, and such would be the opinion oi
the committee and public.
Mr.. Field followed this reminder by ask
ing u number questions regarding irregu.
lafities OF forged atladavits, adding votes
for Hayes and taking votes from Tilden
but the witness was obduratc, and only
responded, al decline to answer"
Mr.. Field called the attention OF the
witness note which he addressed to Mad
doX on the Goth, rs follows: You fully
understand the situation; cannot you nd
wise with me relative thereto. Mr.. Fielt
asked why he wrote this note 10 Maddox
A. 1t was introduced to be shown to the
President and other Republican friends
that Maddox might have entree 10 sucl
friends to explain the political condition
in Louisiana. Maddox being n publ,
officer, and Having been sent to Louisi
ana Tor the purpose Of witness. II,
also sent by Maddox letter 10 the Pres
ident on the same subject, drawing hiI
attention to the fact OF the exasperatet
condition OF the people Of the State, 81
he mightbc prepared to arrest any move
ment initiating against the Returning
Board, and to prevent any destruction o
papers.
BY Mr.. Field-You have stated tha
you never altered return or destroyed
u paper? A. l decline TO answer tn,
question. Witness declined 10 answer
any question concerning the action O
the Board until the House gave him hi
liberty and relieved him Of his disability
lie wanted to know whether lie was tht
peer OF my member OF the committee O.
u mere vassal.
Mr.. Knott reminded him that the oh
legation Of his oath required the witness
to answer every question put to him
unless such answer would criminate him
Mr.. Wells said there was no question
he might answer which would subject
him to prosecution, but he reserved hi
construction rs to what were his rights
and the committee had no right 10 Gues
ton him when he was in duress.
Q. Did you take part in any conspira
cy 10 give the State 10 Tilden? A. Ar
you through?
Mr.. Field-Mr. stenographcr rea,
him the question.
The stenographer read il.
Mr.. Wells-ls that the finish OF you
question?
Mr.. Tuckcr-This is triiling.
Chairman-Oh, Mr.. Wells, anawcr I'll
question or decline to answer.
Mr.. Wells-Can l saya word?
Chairman-Not now.
Witness-I do not know whether an
a vassal or peer, il peer ! should lik
to knowit. II | am vassal, am force
as servant TO answer your question.
The Chairman-I wish in the kindes
spirit TO bring to your attention the att
tude you occupy.
Witness-Therc is no gentlemen
whom would listen with more after
tion than yourself, but | must conside
my duty.