The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1877-02-15

Wells, the chief Louisiana returning
boarder VINO wont answer questions put
to him, has killed three men in his time
two negroes and a Spanish oyersecr.
Where would you find conscience
enough IN such a wretch 10 stop him
from stealing the electors Of Louisiana
for Hayes? Wells is 73 years Of age-a
hoary headed old sinner. The follow
ing is a specimen Of his answers to the
committee.
Mr.. Field asked the witness several
questions, among them the following: In
canyasslng the vote Of Natchitoches
were any irregularities discovered Did
the Returning Board deliberately add
535 votes TO five OF the HAYES electors
which had not been cast for HAYES? Did
you not add 574 10 the votes cast for
hayes in the parish OF Concordia?
These questions the witness seyerallv
refused 10 answer
The witness also declined 70 answer
the question whether 800 votes had
not been thrown off from the Tildeu
electors IN the parish Of Orleans.
z. Were there any forged aflidayits
before the Returning Board? 4. / de.
cline to answer.
q. Did you advise that forged afFida-
wits be prepared? 4. decline 10 an
swer.
q. Did you not direc. that forged aGi-
d2yits be prepared in the Vernon Parish
case? A. / did not advise the prenara.
ton Of any forged afiidaviis whatever.
Further on we quote again:
q. Did you take part in any conspira-
ey to give the State 10 Tilden? A. Are
you through.
Mr.. Field-Mr. .Stenographer. read him
the question.
The StenOgrapher read il.
Mr.: Wells-Is that the finish OF your
Mr. Tucker-This is trifiing.
The Chairman-Oh, Mr.. Wells, ans
Wer the question or decline to ans
wer.
Mr. Wells-May ! say a word?
The Chairman-Sot now.
Nltness-I do not know whether lam /
a Vassal or peer; If peer, / should like
10 know It; II am yassal, am forced /
as q servant TO answer your question.
The Chairman-I wish in the kindcst
spirit to bring to your attention the at
titude you occupy.
Wltness-There is no gentleman 10
whom / would listen with more attcu-
ton than yourself, but ] must consider
my duty.
Mr.. Lawrence asked the witnes,
he declined 70 answer because
he feared he might render himselfliable
to criminal prosecution.
The witness replied he did not.
Mr.. Field-Wlll you explain what
position you occupy?
The Witness-Am / q yassal or a |.
peer?
The Chairman--That has nothing 10
do with your position.
Mr.. Field-Yon rejected 10000 votes ,
and upwards. Were they rejected for I
any cause other than alleged intimida- ,
ion? >
The Witness-I decline TO answer. q
q. Did you not know the rejection of I
5000 votes was part of the conspiracy q
o give the electoral vote TO the party not :
entitled to it? A. leave that for your S
elf to answer.
q. Did you take part in any such con>
piracy? A. Does that conclude your p
uestion? q
The Chairman-0h, answer the ques-
ion or not.
Mr.. Tucker-We viii take the vote to
ee if such conduct on the part Of the :,
illness should ne tolerated IN the com
littee. u
The Chairman-The question is /
neither the committee will require the 81
illness to answer. :,
MIR. Tucker-The sentence Of reproba-
on should be put on the witness Tor not al
lswering. liz
Witness-Then am a yassal.
The ChairInan-Keep order, sir 4,
MIR. Seelye remarked it was unani~ :
ously decided this morning, so far as o
le authority Of the committee went b