The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-01-31

2 and number votes transferred was l7S
The original figures we're erased and thos,
required written in their pace. TIE mo
tive assigned by Wells was to elect Hunter
Judge, Andrews district attorney, and
Kelso state senator. Andrews refused Il
accept the office on the groucd be was moi
fairly elected. Field exhibited certificates OF
election Of Hunter and Kclso which the wit.
ness believed genuine, witness was instruct.
ed by Wells to bring him two statements, &C.
compunylng the consolidated statement Of
Vernon parish, and took them to him the
day after the official PRONUNCIATION. lie
was about to put them Ia his pocket when
the witness asked him IL 1t was not indis-
erect to dc go, and he said l was right in
thus reminding him; whether he or l de-
stroyed them cannot cay, but saw them
burned. Asst the original statement of
the pole Of Vernon parish, with the alteia.
lions now before him, Gov. Wells told me
to de.troy or make awaywith 1t; felt
had done little too much already, took
the paper home for the purpose Of destroy
ing 1t, but did not communicate the facts
to Splaring, my uncle, ard gave him the
pGper to bs used by him and others In
whom confidence could be placed In be-
half Of the Nichols government, which
SplarlDg supported, thought Nichols elect
ed governor, requested Of him that my
name never be known In the Transaction,
and should not be eubpGnaed; gave him
the paper In New Orleans. The last time
| saw the paper was In the Office of Cover
nor Palmer, in Spring6eldi did not see it
again till yesterday before the committee.
On Sunday, the 81 of December, the
board and three or four Of the clerks took
dinner together; from there we went to the
rooms of the returning board after bel &
there few minutes Gov. Wells told me to
alter the votes; he asked me to have 1t
done that night, but did not do it that
night. Subsequently Wells laid it was
well Done
The witness here showed how the altera-
tions were made. Continuing said Wells
askel me the same night to make a change
In the electoral vote. Wells after being ex-
amind by the committee which went to
New Olleans told me he was a,ked how
the returns from Vernon parish were re-
ceivcd and in consequence felt very un, asy;
q st said to me "caut you make copy Of
the original, find out what ill make the
aggregate and we will rtj-ct them "
He then said I'VE will have sfll1avlts
prepared, meaning aft lavits showing Why
the three polls of Vernon parish were re-
United States Commissioner Jewell, each
affidavit sworn to by three persons. The
imts Of the three persons who swore to
them were Jim Brown, Sam Collins and
Sam Carter, mad, their marks do not
know whether there were any su b persons
or not; the sffl1avits were dated N ,vem-
Der IA; they came into the office The Is
of Dc inter.
Mr. Fl-d-Did Wells speak about forg-
ing the ana of Thos Fraokln2
A he asked me to pract CO 30 could
make a signature to the returns but did
Lot do it.
Since arriving in Washington the wit
ness conversed with various parties,
including Kellogg and Pitkiu. Kellogg did
not question me particularly. Mr.. Pitkin
wanted me to consider well before testify
ing aud as to what course 1 should take.
told him did not lltend to testify If
could help it. He thought 1 better stick
to my own party. This conversation took
place Saturday or Sunday night. be said
he would engage counsel for me If de-
sired.
Mr.. Lawrence asked If he had altered
any other returns.
None were altered except this 80 far as
he knew. He saw considerable scratching
going on. Judge Davis and Woodward,
clerks of the board assisted the witness in
altering Vernon returns; other clerks must
have seen it done. He handed original re-
turns to Wells; Abel who came In just as
they were being burned said such destruc-
ton was usually done outside the place of
the meeting of the board.
The witness testified that both he and
his uncle were formerly hay merchants in
New Orleans, but we're removed.
Mr.. seelye said to the witpcss, when you
were asked yesterday whether Wells re-
quested you to make alteration did you not
say he did not?
Al evaded the answer, am satisfied
did not say Wells did not make such re-
quest.
-Reporter's notes say you thus tes-
tih,d
A.-Then they are wrong.
O. Di it seem perfectly right to make
alterationsr
Al thought nothing wrong in obeying
instructions.
Odd you think Wells rascal for
| maRing such propositioLp
Al will say have the appearance of
being rascal for what have done.
Q But you committed forgery?
Al do not know altering figures to be
forgery.
Witness said the PRONUNCIATION of falsi-
fed return was signed by all the members