The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-02-09
The louisiana Villainy.
LrrrLErE!LD PEACHES on WELLS.

,hc committee he had taken no legal advice, but
since that time he had conference with an attor-
ney who, Uniformed him that he could tell the whole
truth, ii lie did SO under protest, otherwise he
would have to bear the burden of suspicion in
nbstracting the original return Of Vernon Par
isii.
Mr.. Field asked witness TO look mt the paper
I"arkcd :, aud he answered after slight inSpcc-
tion, that it WAS the same paper that Was before
tho returning board.
Witness in reply to n question said that he was
requested by Gov Wells to transpose the re-
turns of two polls, taking the votes from the
Democrats and giving them TO the Republicans
polls two and nine. The number of votes
thus transferred was l7S. The original figures
were erased and those required written in their
place.
by llr. Field-What motive did Gov. Wells
assi IA for requiring you to make the change?
A.--To cleo, Hunter Judge, Andrews District
Attorney, I'll K;lso State Senator, the parishes
being i'll the judicial district i'll which Gov. Wells
resided.
Q.-Was one Of the persons named James An
drcws, who refused to accept the office the ground
that lie was not fairly elected? Al presume
50, from the fact that he was candidate for
District Attorney.
MIR. Field exhibited the certificate Of the
two friends Of Wells, Hunter and kelsU, which
witness believed to be genuine.
iy Mr.. Ficld-Whcn the change of figures
was accomplished i'll the way you mention, what
became of the original papers from Vernon Par
ish2 \. | was instructed by Governor Wells
TO bring him two statements accompanying the
consolidated statement gave them 10 him
the day after the official PRONUNCIATION hc WAS
about to put them in his pocket when | asked
whether II was not indscrcct to do So, and he
said was right i'll thus reminding him; wh"h-
Cr he Oh | destroyed them | cannot say, but
saw them burned. AS 10 the original statement
of the poll of Vernon Parish, with alterations,
hpfp oil al mp IN H.
.troy or make way with it. felt had done II
little too much already, and took the paper
home for the purpose of destroying it, but did
not. ] communicated these facts to Mr. Spear
irg, my uncle, and gave him the paper, to be
used by him and others, in whom confidence
could be placed, in behalf of the Nichols gov
crnmcnt, which MIR. Spcaring supported.
thought that Nichols was elected Governor.
requested Of him that my name should never
be known in this transaction, and that should
.,"' y" -"hv"",,""L ~ testify I unvn him the
paper in New Orleans. The last time saw The
paper was in the Office of Governor Palmer, at
Springfield il having been conveyed thithcr by
Mr.. Srcaring. From that time to this he had
never seen the paper till it was produced yes
tCrlay before the committee.
Q.-DeScrbc the occasion and the circuulstan-
ccs Of Governor Wells asking you to alter the
returns. A.-On Sunday, the Sd OF December,
the board and three or four Of the clerks took
dinner together They sat at dinner three or
four hours From there wcut to the rooms
of the returning board After being there II
few minutes, saw Governor Wells looking over
some papers and figuring. We were al feeling
happy. | know was. In n few minutes Gov
ernor Wells engaged with me in whispered
conversation, and told Inc To alter the vVcs.-
lie asked Inc TO have it done that night, but
didn't do it that night. subsequently Governor
Wells said it was well done.
Witness here showed how the alterations were
made.
Witness, continuing. said: Governor Wells
asked me the same night to make change in
the electoral vote. Governor Wells was exam
incd 10y the committee which went to New Or
leans. Governor Wells afterwards told me he
was asked 10y the committee how the returns
from Vernon Parish were received, and, in con-
sequence, hc felt very uneasy. lie first said To
me: "Can You make copy of the original
End out what will make in aggregate, and we'll
re cct them lie then said I'VE will have
at!'lavitS prepared, meaning afiluvits showing
why three polls OF Vernon Parish were rejected.
The aiiidnvils were sworn before United States
Commissioner Jewell. Each affidavit was sworn
To hy three persons. rcrnlicct the names oil
three persons who Swurc to them, namely, jim
Brown, Samuel Collins and Samuel Carter
They nta'lc their marks. ! do not know whcIh
cr there were such persons or not. TIL aifa
Wits were dated, believe, November II, 1876
and game into The Office o the board Oh the 18th
vi December.
MIR. Ficll-Dd Governor Wells speak about
forging the name Of Thos Franklin?
Answcr-llc asked me to practice 50 could
luakc the signature 10 The returns, but did not
do it,
Question Since you came TO Washington have
YOU had interviews with any parties with regard
10 your testimony? Al have conycrscd with
various parties, including Gov. Kellogg and
Marshal piIkin. Gov. Kellogg did not question
Inc particularly, hut seemed anxious To do So
sonal relations which had, he said been pleas.
ant. and he wanted me to consider well before
tcsiitying and aS 10 what course should take
told him | did not intend to testify if | could
help il. He rs much inferred that should
remember my friends lie thought it wise for
me to suck To my own party. This c"nvrrSa'
tlon took place either Saturday or Sunday night.
Q.-Nas anything said about furnishing coun-
sci, on about protecting you: Ale said if |
desired he would engage counsel.
MIR. Lawrence then examined the witness,
who was reminded that he had said when he
was examined yesterday he was not aware Of
his rights Witness remarked that since then
hc had comvcrscd with Mr.. Murphy, of Daven-
port, Iowa. Mr. Murphy did not advise him.
but said he could give testimony under protest
which would clear him from contempt.
Q-ls there anything you know now that you
did not know yesterday? Al am only Civ
ing my testimony under protest. was i'll con
NHcu saw
Q.-l ou altered nC other return than this :?
A.-Nonc was altered but this one, far
| know. | saw considerable scratching going
on. In iuihcr response 10 questions witness
said went To the office Of the returning board
after tEc dinner already alluded TO to
pile the returns. Tie members of the beard
were III rhclr private office | began to make
alterations in the returns from Vernon Parish
fifteen minutes after Governor Wells suggested
it. Judge Davis, one Of the clerks, showed me
how 10 alter the figures and furniscd n rubber
Woodward. another clcrh assisted on Monday