Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-01-31

at noon in the supreme court room and
organized. The special oath of office
was administered to Justice Clifford by
Middleton, clerk Of the court, and Associ-
ate Justice Clifford, who, by the electoral
act, is presiding officer of the commits
sion, then administered the oath to the
other fourteen members. James II. Me-
Kenny was then appointed temporary
CLERK to the commission, and il was or
dsred that the proceedings Of the com.
mission, exceptthese bove stated, shall
be held coniidentially until otherwise Or
dsred. After brief session the com
mission adjourned until p. m.
i DEMOCRATIC EYRE.
Washington Jan. 3l-The commit
Ice on powers, privileges and duties
,of the house inscounting the electoral
vote, called John p. Pickitt, who
produced tho following letter.
New ORLEANS La, Nov. 90, 1876.
To JOHN IA, Maddox.
Ne,o Orleans La.
Ny DEAR SlR:-You fully under
stand the situation. Can you not
advise with me in relation thereto.
Very truly.
Tsignedl j. MADISON WELLS.
Witness began narrative of the cir
cumstAnces under which he received the
letter, but was interrupted on the ground
that he wa. reciting what had been told
him by others S ~ ) ~ 4
Maddox was called and identified the
letter as written by Wells. Knew Wells
and Anderson o5 years. In conversation
with Wells lie said he had confidence in
| the witness and dinstruc,ed him what to
do. Had frequent interviews with Wells
and Anderson; conversed with Wells in
this city oh the subject matter, but do
cliued to.disclosc it,.
Several papers were shown wit.
ness which he recognized as genuine,
including correspondence on his part.
The following memoranda was
read
For one million dollars the vote Of
Louisiana can be secured to Tilden
and Hendricks. Manipulation must
be done by me, and as far as poasible
to protect the members Of the return
ing board, who may favor such re-
isult. II may be necessary 10 elect
two or three members OF the board TO
reach what we want. Details to be
agreed upon, money TO be paid in
instailments, say one-fourth when the
filth member is elected, ne-fourth
when one member resigns, and anoth-
er is elected in his place; and one
fourth when another resigns with
another elected in his place; balance
of ehe-fourth to be paid over whcr
q certificates are given.
Question by Field was that tn,
proposition that Gov. Wells wanted
you to carry out.
Answer. decline to answer.
i Field showed witness the telegram
Il signed ] T. Pickett and sddressed 4
ftHzs
4 John Hancock, meaning Maddox !, =
follows.
Photographed rs taitstttti my in
, terest; think Of the interests Of fort,
|, millions Of people.
Q-Is that the answer which came &
you.
Al decline to answer.
Q-Had you an interview with til
secretary of war? IS -
I Al decline to answer.
Mr.. spark Do you know the conse
. qucnces Of not answering
!. Al do.
e. Marsh. suggested that the witness hay
q one hour TO consider whether he woul'
y answer the questions.
! Witness said 1t WAS useless to vast
!, : time, as he would decline 10 answer
!, the end of the hour.
= Witness was informed he would be r
= tIqaired to answer at shat time.
y Herepiied, that be would not answe
!. ------------- -
u Il, FOREIGN ;.