The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-02-01

The Committee on Powers, Privileges
and Duties Of the House in counting the
electoral vote, called John p. Pickett
who produced the following letter:
New ORLEANS, La, Nov. 20, 1876.
70 John II. MaddOr, Ntw Orleans, La:
My DEAR SrR You fully understand
the situation; can you not advise with me
in relation thereto. Respectfully.
(Signed) ]. MADISON WELLS.
The witness began narrative of the
circumstances under which he received
this letter, but was interrupted on ths
ground that he was reciting what had
been told him by others.
Maddox was called and identified the
letter as written by Wells; knew Wells
and Anderson twenty years; in converse.
ton with Wells hesaid he had confidence
in witness and instructed him what TO do,
frequent interviews with Wells and An.
derson; conversed with Wells in this city
on the subject matter but declined to dis.
close it.
Several papers from the committee
were shown the witness, which he recog.
nized as genuine, including the CORES.
pondence on his part.
The following memoranda was read ::
For 81 100000 the vote OF Louisiana can
be secured to Tilden and Hendricks man.
ipulation must be done by me, and as far
as possible to protect the members OF the
Returning Board who may favor such re.
suit. II may be necessary to elect two OF
three members OF the board to reach what
We want; details to be agreed upon, and
money to be paid in installments, say
one-tourth when the fifth member is elcc.
ted, one.fourth when one member re.
signs and another is elected in his place
and one. fourth when another member re.
signs with another elected in his place
and the balance OF one.iourth to be paid
when the certificates are given.
Question by Mr.. Field-Was that the
proposition that Gov. Wells wanted you
to carry out A. l decline to answer.
Mr.. Field showed witness the telegram
signed by ]. T. Pickitt and addressed 10
J ohm Hancock, meaning Maddox, as fol.
lows:
"Telegraphed as desired; damn my in.
terests; think Of the interests Of forty
millions Of people"
Q. Is that the answer which came to
you? A. decline to answer.
Mr.. MarSh-Had yon an interview
with the Secretary Of War? A. de.
cline to answer.
Witness having been asked whether he
would now answer the questions pro.
pounded, replied that he would not.
Mr.. sparks-Do you know the conse.
quences Of not answering? A. i do.
Mr.. Marsh suggested that witness have
one hour 10 consider whether he would
answer the question. Witness said II
was a useless waste Of time, as he would
decline to answer at the end OF the hour.
Witness was informed that he would
be required to answer at that time. He
replied that, though he would not answer,
he would return 10 the room.
The Select Committee OH Privileges Of
the House had before it to-day two wit.
nesses who gave testimony Of highly
important character affecting the integ.
rity Of the Louisiana Returning Board,
The following is report Of the most
important testimony:
]. 7. Rickett sworn said7I am an at.
toFney at law, resident Of Washington,
D. C.
Q. Have you a letter from Mr.. Wells,
OF the Louisiana Returning Board? A.
l have.
Q. win you produceit? A. (Handinp
il to Mr.. Field)-It Is what purports 10
be his hand writing. l am not familiar
wiLh 1t.
Read the letter as follows:
New ORLEANS, Nov. 90, 1876.
Names eut), Ne,V Orleans, La:
MY DEAR SIR-You fully understand
the situation. Can you not advise with
me relative thereto.
Yours, very truly,
..g....-.. J. MADISON WELLS.
e. State the circumstances Of your re.
ceiving this letter and what was said in
relation to Il? Witness-on Thursday
preceding the last Sunday Of November,
this gentleman with whom l have been
acquainted for more than quarter Of a
century, came to my office, he having