The daily gazette., 1877-02-05
-SEC0ND~EDiTION.
WELLS LETTERS.
FURTHER EVIDENCE OF FRAUD
SENATOR WEST OPENS THE LETTER AD-
DRESSED TO HIM-wELLs' DIsMAY AT
ITS PRoDUoTIoN-KELLoG DIS
GUsTED.


ITS PRoDUoTIoN-KELLoG DIS 4
GUsTED. r
From the Times Staff Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, February 3.
The worst anticipation of the Republi-
can members of Mr.. Knott's committee
were realized to-day on the re-appear-
ance OF the witness Maddox with the
tell-tale letters which they had hoped
against hope existed only IN his imagi-
nation. Maddox was complaining of Ill
ness when he came into the committee
get Whit of fresh air before the exami-
nation began. 1t was then agreed by
the committee that no line of inquiry
be entered upon, When he took the
stand he was perfectly self-possessed and
answered all questions promptly. When
Mr.. Field asked whether he had the let
ters he said he had, and on the usual de-
mand forwarded them over to Mr.. f. The
first was from Wells to Maddox. request
ing him to go to Washington, and ac-
quaint the President, Senator West and
others with the aspects of the situation
in IL olliSiana, and emphasizing the i'm
portance of his trust. 1t served to show
that Maddox was the trusted friend of
Wells and the recipient of his confidence
and plans The letter was as follows :
NEW ORLEANS, November 20, 1885,
To Mr. j. II. Mahdor, Of Ne,o Orledrls-
DEAR SIR: Understanding the political
condition of matters here from an asso-
citation with both political parties, and q
friend of the Pesident and government
officer, would it not be part of your
to go at once to Washington with as lit
| tie delay as possible and place before
| the President the condition ar d the pend
inn do f,f fhn Il ift.nf
you conclude upon prompt action in the
premises, allow me to commend you to
Senator West, who is my friend, and
| with whom you will freely communicate
with them. Yours, very truly,
j. MADISON WELLS.
| This was, of course, open the other
was unsealed, having never been deliver
ed, and was addressed, in the hand
writing of Wells, to "Hon.J r. West,
Washington, d. c." While the myste-
rious and dreaded paper was scrutinized
there was some talk as to how the con-
tents were to be ascertained. There was
general agreement as to the right of the
committee to open it, but Mr.. Field sug-
gested that it would be courteous to the
member of the Senate who was interested
| to request him by resolution to come for
| ward and in their presence open and read
seated with Anderson only q few feet
from the witness, became very nervous,
| and while Judge Lawrence was eXami-
| ing it leaned forward and eagerly read
the Superscription.
THE LETTER TO SENATOR WEST.
Mr.. Field was about to offer resolu-
ton, requesting Vests presence, when
somebody exclaimed: "There is the Sc
- oOI annnnh ha
out of the crowd, with considerable evi-
dence of excitement, which was not re-
mgrkable, however, under the circum-
stances. Mr.. Fieldsaid:" Senator, will you
oblige me by opening this letter." To
which West rather testify replied: 81
don't know that l will open It for you,
sir but | will open it and give it to the
committee. l don't know any more than
you do what it contains" Upon this sew
eral of the committee, Republican and
Democratic, avowed the right to open
the letter, and upon the Senator's pledge,
about which he hesitated for a moment
only, that he would let them have it if he
were allowed a copy, it was handed to
him and he broke the seal with tremulous
hand. 1t was read aloud:
| NEW ORLEANS, La, November 81. 1876.
l-My Dear Sendtor L regret much not
seeing you when here. / wanted to say
i 10 you WHICH WOultl pc db lcdSJ ILL
prudent to put upon paper. trust,
however, to meet you i'll Washington as
soon as the canvass is over which is now
upon us. Our dutiss as returning officers
have augmented the magnitude of the
destiny of the two great parties-may
not say of the nation? L fully compre-
hend the situation, as well as my duty to
the greatest living Dgeneral--U. S. Grant,
and not with my consent shall this op-
pressed Epeople be governed by his parol-
ed prisoners, aided by their white-hvered
towards of the North. Let me, my es-
teemed sir, warn you of the danger Mil
lions have. been sent here and will be used
lin the ioteresuof Tilden, and unless there
| is some counter movement it will be i'm
possible for me OF any other individual
to resist its productional results. The
gentleman presenting this letter is fully
aware of the modes, and. fyou allow,
will communicate freely to our friends;
and act promptly, or results will be dis
astrous. A hint to the wise, Strictly
private and confidential, Yours very
truly, j. MADISON WELLS.
To Hon. j. r. West, Washington d. c.
ITS EFFECT ON THE AUDITORS.
During the reading all the spectators
| gathered closer. Governor Wells was