Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-02-08

and that be was not aware that he had done any
wrong. If such was the case he was exceedingly
sorry and hoped the committee would pardon
him. This apology was accepted, and the repub-
lican members of the committee, with that some.
what extraordinary courtesy for which they have
become noted, allowed Mr.. Field to haze all the
evidence of his little trick stricken from the rec
ord. Everything considered. this secret session
was more interesting than any of the public sit
t;ngs. Prof. Seelye, who has been growing in
dignant day by day at the course Of David bud
lev in running the entire investigation and "bull-
doing" witnesses, took occasion To free his mind
in a wav that is said to have startled the counse
of Tweed and Tilden.
Shortly after the committee went into open scs
sion again, and J. Madison Wells, President of the
Returning Board, was called TO the stand. Hi,
appearance created marked sensation, as did his
testimony. H5 swore positively, aud IN clear
straightforward manner, which carried conviction
with it, that the stories told by the adventures
Maddox Pickett, and Littltfield were false IN
substance and in detail. Regarding Littleiield he
was particularly outspoken, denouncing that pet
agent of Mr. Field as an unmitigated liar. Iii;
testimony and the ccrroboratye proof which he
brought to support it fully justified Gov. Wells il
using this expression. 1t will be remembered
that Littlefeld swOre, among other things thai
at the request of Wells the original tally sheet
from Vernon Parish had been destroyed. Thi.
the Governor denied in the N ost emphatic terms
and produced the official report OF the proceedldgs
TO show that no such papers as those described by
Ittleheld had ever been in the possession OF tue
board or any member oft. In reply to the qnes-
ton, "Did you ever enter INTO an agreement with
Mr.. Maddox or any other person to count the
vote of Louisiana FOR Hayes, and TO do your duty
to the republican party = Gov. Wells startled
the committee and the spectators by eXclaiming,
W npyorl | IA | Mum A uuIluF the
war. was pursued for my life and prosecuted,
but did not finch during the war. | feared no
Confederate soldier, and since | have braved
death more than once because | was true TO the
republican party, IL Is not likely that after all h Is
would 20 to Mr.. Maddox lie get moaey to do my
duty to the party"
For nearly three hours alter this Gov. Wells
was cross-eXamincd by Nh. Field, but his testimony
was not impeached in any way. lie was more
than a match for that eminent petfogger and
told him very plainly, in the commencement, that
he would not permit him or any other man Ia
bully him, or treat him with disrespect. AltcI
this David Dudley Field was tame as a lamb, and
finding that the witness was not afraid of hin, hc
gave up the examination in despair, and the IN
vestigaton was adjourned until Tomorrow
Gov. Wells testimony is, everything considered
the most important that has yet been taken by tue
committee. lie proved beyo AL question that
his letter TO Senator West WAS written to wal1
him of the efforts which were being made by the
democrats to secure the vote of the State. lie
proved further that Duncan L. kcnner, one of the
best known and wealthiest democrat in New Or
leans, had offered him $500, 900 if he would have
the State counted for Tilden. This offer he ind z
naHtly refused The general impression to nigh
is that the evidence given by Gov. W ellis complete
| ~ disposes of and overhrows the testimony Civ
en- by Littleield. That person was before Sena
| tor Howe's committee this afternoon, and sue
| ceeded in proving to the entire satisfaction o
every one who heard him, that Gov. Wells wa