The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-02-02
DIR ull4tim
WELLS OF IHfAmv.
Tho President Of the Returning
Board Appears in a New
Character.
For q Million Dollars lie would
isisnM 90 Tiiden.
MORE LETTERS.

WA8HINGTONs JAIL ols- hc Codiuhe-
tss on powers, privileges and duties of
the house IN counting the electoral vote
called John p. Picket, who produced the
following letter
New ORLEANS, Nov. 20.
To Joha II. Maddox, New Orleans
MYDEAR SrR-You fully understand
the situation. Can YOU not advise with
me In relation thereto? Very truly,
[Signedl j. MADISON WELLS.
Witness began narrative of the cir
cumstances under which he received the
letter, but was interrupted on the ground
that he was reciting what had been told
him by others.
Maddox was called and identified the
letter a. written by Wells; knew Wells
and Anderson twenty-five years in con-
versation with Wells he said he had con-
fidence in witness, and instructed him
what to do had frequent interviews with
Wells and Anderson; conversed with
Wells in this city on the subject matter,
but declined to disclose 1t.
Several papers were shown witness
which he recognized as genuine, includ-
ing correspondence on his part. The
following memoranda was read
For ono million dollars the vote of
Louisiana can be secured to Tilden and
Hendricks. The manipulation must be
done by me. and a. far as possible to pro-
tect members OF the returning board
who may favor such result. Details to
be agreed upon money to be paid in
instruments, one-fourth when the fifth
member was elected, one-fourth when
one member resigns and another is elected
in his place, and one-fourth when an
other resigns, with another elected in his
place, the balance of one-fourth be paid
when certificates are given.
Questioned by Mr.. Field: Was that
the proposition that Gov. Wells wanted
you to carry outs A. \ decline to an
swer.
Mr.. Field showed witness telegram
signed by J. L. Prickett and addressed to
John Hancock (meaning Maddox, as
follows:
Telegraphed as desired. Damn my
interest. Think OF the interests of forty
millions of people.
Q. Il that the answer which came to
you? A. decline to answer.
Mr.. Marsh: Had you an interview
with the secretary OF war? A. decline
would now answer une quesuvu. p,v
pounded replied he would not.
Mr.. Sparks: Do you know the con
sequences Of not answering? A. do.
Mr.. Marsh suggested that witness hav'
one hour to consider whether he would
answer the question.
Witness said it was useless to waste
time, as he would decline to answer al
the end OF the hour. Witness was in.
formed that he would be required to an
swer at that time. He replied that
though he would not answer, he would
return to his room.
IMPORTANT TESTIMONY.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3l.--The select
committee on the privileges OF the house
had before 1t two witnesses who gave
testimony OF highly important charae-
ter, Affecting the integrity Of the Louis
lana returning board.
The following Is a report OF the most
important Of the testimony.
.JNo. T. PICKETT
Was sworn and examined, and said: l
am an attorney 1t law, resident of Wash
ington, D. C..
Q. Have you in your possession let.
ter from Mr.. Wells of the Louisiana re-
turning board. A. have. g.
Q. Will you produce it? A. Hand
ing to Mr.. Field IL is what purports 10
DO hs handwriting. ! am not familiar
with It.
Mr.. Field read the letter as follows:
rr new ORLEANS, Noy. 20.
Names cut out. New Orleans.
MY DEAR SIR: You fully understand
the situation. Cannot you advise with
me relative thereto? Yours, very truly,
j. MADISON WELLS.
Question: State the circumstances OF
your recovering this letter and what was
done In relation to it:
Ahs"er' On the Thursday preceding
the last Sunday OF November. tn.
1od' gentleman with whom | have
been acquainted for more than a Quarter
OF Q century came to my office, he nav.
Ing just arrived from Louisiana, where l
had known him quite intimately quar-.
ter ofa century ago, and gave me a full
history OF the state OF affairs there aria
Ing out Of the late presidential election
He said he had Leen spending a week OF
ten day. In New Orleans. This gentle
man delivered to me that letter. II,
stated that he had been some DAYS il
New Orleans. knew that tor had no
titled my Democratic friends down Their,
OF the fact OF his having gone thither
and that he was an exceedipgl,
dangerous man to our people
lmesning Democratic party inasmuci
~ he had been q residen
OF New Orleans in former years, and hac
nead high position there socially and
S"efwlse, and they might not have
nn0wn that he was now member of the
Hpuohcan party. and an emissary. as
osneve, nom the government. toucbino
nov me vote OF Louisiana should be
counted. and stating that from nav ~
scnai friendship for him Of lony st.na
ouE hOped that n thero .hn,,,,