The New York herald., 1877-02-06
SENATOR VESTS EXPLANATION OF THE LETTER
FROM GOVERNOR WELLS.

SENATOR VESTS EXPLANATION OF THE LETTER
FROM GOVERNOR WELLS.
WASHINGTON Feb. s, 1877.
In the Senate to-day Mr. West OF Louisiana said he
availcd himself Of this opportunity to make an ex-
PLANTATION relation to the proceedings in Louisiana
during tho count of the vote, which he was not pcr
mitted make before the committee Of the House Of
Representatives Saturday last Some time last
week no became cognizant Of the fact through the
public journals, that lotter from the President of the
Returning Board OF Louisiana addressed to HIM had
not delivered. 1t became evident TO him that the
House committee desired to know the contents of that
letter. On Saturday last, when ne learned the CON-
mittee had the letter. he voluntarily went before that
committee, without waiting for subpoena, opened and
read the letter to them. Had he seen proper
he could have avaed himself OF his privilege as
Senator and might have declined to make
known the Of the letter. but no desired TO et
all matters In regard to the Louisiana vote be made
public He had not held nor did he intend to hold
any clandcstne regard TO the count
OF the electoral vote. Tho House committee denied
him the privilege OF making statement to go before
the public with the letter. About the time that the
letter should have been delivered to HIM he was in
formed by the Secretary OF War that man by the
authority trade for tho Louisiana Returning Board
mediately elegraphcd cipher 10 rend IN New Or.
leans, in substance as folows:-
Tell Governor Wells that by the OF Maddox ID
here 70 o ah.'d V speak s h% aa the
The answer back tho wire could
bring it,
Mr.. Maddox had no such authority.
As soon hc mr. West) learned that this pcdcr
here he TOOK pains to sfI tho matter and found
there was nothing In It.
Mr. Thurman inquired IF tho Senator had CON-
muncated the House committee tho statement just
made by him.
Mr.. West replied that he had no opportunity to do
so. He crowded down.
Mr. Bogy asked Ii the Scnator could explain the letter
addressed to hun by Governor Wells That letter
showed Maddox had authority from Wells.
Mr.. West said he presumed every Senator knew that
he had some ambition TO be his successor Ia the
Senate, aud the first part OF Governor Wells letter
referred to that As TO speaking Of millions being
used against the republican party, ho presumed
Governor Wells used the somewhat
Colonel Sellers did. He meant q barrel Of money
being used there against the party, and tho party
needed aid and counsel; IN other words, that where
money being spent side it must spent on
the other About Christmas he mr. WesV saw Gov.
ernor Wells, he alluded to tho letter
his mind Hc (Mr. Vest would not for moment rest
undor any suspicion Of traillcking In electoral votes.
Mr.. Davis, Of West Virginia. inquired II the senator
knewth Maddox was government oiicer and had
been scnt TO New Orleans Tor purpose.
Mr. West said that II had been represented to him
that Maddox was government official, but he never
heard Of him until November last, and when he went
to the Treasury Department TO inquire II he was q
government official he could not verify tho fact but
1t because he did not inquire at the right oflco