The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-02-17
LOUISIANA INVESTIGATION.

WASHINGTON, February 1G.-D. NJ
Clifford, manufacturer, OF Chicago, was
before the House Committee today.
Only a few points were elected. They
were that Spearing and Littlefeld in con.
versation with witness in New Orleans
stated that they had been approached by
prominent Democrats, among them Gov.
Palmer, OF Illinois, to tell for money
what they knew about the Returning
Board. Littlefeld said he had been ap.
preached by Palmer and could get $l6,-
600 for squealing. LittleGeld having al.
luded to fraud in Vernon parish, witness
asked him il he had any evidence to sup.
port his statement. He replied he had,
aud produced paper which he said was
a copy Of the Vernon parish returns.
Witness remarked that he did not think
the paper amounted TO much. Littlefeld
said the Democrats would give $4,000
and Spearing said 100000 for it.
Littleiield said 1t was necessary that
they should act that night, he having
been summoned before the committee in
New Orleans. He said il witness didn't
want TO go into the scheme, he had an
arrangement pending with a Democratic
friend who would close with him and di.
vide. He said Judge Davenport, Of Iowa,
would manage matters for him. Witness
telegraphed Senator Allison and the fol.
lowing afternoon received reply and
showed it to them. 1t ran that it was
safe to consult Howe and il that cannot
be done to come on to Washington. Oh.
jected to witness going 10 Howe, but he
did so and told Howe what be had heard
Howe said the committee were there to
expose all frauds and that the best thing
witness could do would be to expose all
he knew. Witness was going to Texas
and suggested to Senator Wadleieh that
he might hear from LittleGeld in Wash
ington. Wadleigh said he was sorry that
Littletield could not be brought before
the New Orleans Committee, and that he
would sooner see Tilden inaugurated
than Hayes elected by fraud. Witness
travelled with Collins to San Antonia,
and called at his room; he said he had
talked with Littiefeld and Spearing,
Witness advised him 10 have nothing to
do with them, as it was dead beat plan
to make money; he replied that it had
gone TO far for that. Judge Murray Of
st. Louis had been telegraphed to, and
they must have money to go to St. Louis.
He then went up stairs and returned with
Spearing and Littlefeld, and they went
away together in car, but Collins came
back after few days.
Spearing used to keep a livery stable
in Davenport, Iowa, where witness knew
him twenty years ago, Littleiield stated
to witness that Gov. Wells had given a
check TO each clerk Of the Returning
Board for S2,500 outside Of their salary,
and had only offered him a petty collect.
orahip, and that he feltinsulted, and this
was good chance to get even, and he
could make good speculation out Of it
besides. l.
Mr.. Collins told witness when Murphy
took Littleiield to Palmer, at Springfield,
TO give his information, Littlefeld de.
manded his money; Palmer, said he was
not going 10 buy pig in bag; Little.
field said he must have 1880 at any
rate; this was refused him; some arrange.
ment was made by which Murphy was di.
rectet to go TO New Orleans; he did so and
the witness saw him there. This is what
Collins told the witness that Murphy had
told him.
On motion OF Mr.. Mcdonald the Ser.
geant.at.Arms was directed to subpoena
Governor Palmer and the Commission
adjourned.