Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-02-09
The House committee on The sOth mt. re.

to NIL the vacancy In the Returning Board; I;
witness knew the State was carried for
Hayes by throwing out votes; they were
thrown out because there was evidence Of
intimidation; there were also charges Of
bribery; had no knowledge that there was
fraud by the board there was no conceal
ment Of papers before the board from the
Democratic committee.
Littlefeld, a clerk of the Louisiana Re-
turning Board, testified on the 3lst ult. before
the Morrison House committee that on Dec.
8 he altered the original returns from two of
the polls In Vernon Parish SO as TO transfer
to the Republican candidates 17S Democratic
votes; did this by Gov. Wells express direc-
ton; after making copies he substituted
them ior the altered originals and the latter
were burned either by himself or Wells-at
all events with Wells knowledge. s
J. II. Maddox, of New Orleans, was before
the House committee on the 3lstT ult., and
identified letter from Wells to himself ask.
ing witness to advise with him as to the
election; had frequent interviews with Wells
and Anderson. Witness recognized as genu-
Inc papers shown him, including correspond
ence on his part, and a memorandum saying:
"For 81 ,OO0, 900 the vote of Louisiana can be
be done by me-" and giving the details of
payment. Witness declined to answer IL
that was the proposition Wells wanted him
to carry out, and If he had an interview with
the Secretary of War. j. T. Pickett, of New
Orleans, testified that he visited New York
to negotiate for money to pay members of
the Louisiana Returning Board to Determine
the State for Tilden; saw Hewitt, who said
that under no circumstances would they en-
tertain any such proposition.
Col. Pelton was before the Senate com
mittee on the 3lst ult A cipher dispatch
from Salem, Ore, addressed to witness was
produced and he was asked to translate 1t.
He replied that he was unable, as he had no
copy. Knew nothing OF depositing 81 800
in a San Francisco bank last December.
Billinger, OF Portland, Ore, testified that he
was notified that 81, 800 was deposited by
New York parties, to be used for legal ex-
penses in connection with the Watts case,
The four Associate Justices designated by
the Electoral bill on the 3lst ult. selected
Justice Bradley as the fifth member of the ju-
dicial branch Of the Electoral Commission.
The Republican National Committee have
engaged as leading counsel before the
Electoral Commission, VIM. M. Evarts and
L. w. Stoughton OF New York, aud Stanley
Mathews and 8. s. shellebarger of Ohio.
The Democrats have as counsel, Charles
O'Conor of New York, Lyman Trumbull Of
Illinois, Jere. s. Black of Pennsylvania,
and Ashbel Greene of New Jersey.
The House committee further examined
Maddox on the 1st. He said Wells wrote a
confidential letter to him, which he was to
exhibit TO parties at Washington; Wells
stated that he would like to serve his party
in making the returns for Hayes, but wanted
to be paid for his risk; the majority was
heayy-too much for him TO handle; he
would probably have to throw out the vote
of New Orleans; he said he ought TO have
81 ,000, 900; witness showed the letter TO Pres
ident Grant and Secretary Cameron, and the
latter declined to have anything to do with
the matter; the programme was that the va
cancy in the board was to be filed and Wells
was to resign in anger; Wells stated to wit
ness tina he wanted Cor Gen. Anderson and
himself at least $500, 900 apiece and a smaller
sum for the darkies or negroes of the Re-
turning Board Wells suggested to witness
to make an arrangement with the Democrats
and he made an effort in that direction, but
did not succeed.
Ex-Gov. Wells, in an interview on the 1st
denounced the statement of Maddox as an in.
famous lie, baseless as 1t was malicious.
He said Littlefeld's testimony was part and
parcel OF a Job to bring the Returning Board
into disgrace. ExGov. Kellogg also stated
that Maddox's statement was false. He said
the reason the vacancy In the board was not
filed was, the Democrats would agree to no
one but Kennedy, aud he was personally OBJ
jectionable to Wells.
The public debt statement issued on the
1st shows a decrease during January OF
$2069, ,669. Cash in the Treasury $780,
AZ, 1880, currency s., ,498 ,266, special deposits
held for the redemption Of certificates of de-
pOsit s3S, ,745 900; total $l29, 1881. Total
debt, Feb. i, 81, ,l94 ,24S,1ll.
The report OF the maj ority Of the sub-com-
mittee Of the Committee on Privileges and.
Elections on Ineligible electors, submitted
to the Senate on the 1st, covers the cases of
Williamson Of New Jbrsey, Frost of Mis-
souri,, and Halliday of Virginia. In the cases
Of Williamson and Halliday the committee
report that they were ineligible as electors,
but they did not attend the college and
their places were legally filed. In the case
of Frost they find that he was ineligible,
that the electors had no power to fill the
vacancy, and their action was void
The House committee on the I'd examined
Gen. Anderson, of the Louisiana Returning
Board. He testified that to his knowledge there
was no change made in the returns Of Yer
non Parish; was not aware of any alteration
of any returns, and never had any commu-
nication with any member Of the board re-
garding their destruction or alteration; knew
Maddox; never knew of any negotiation, ar
rangement or proposition with which he was
connected. Witness stated in reply to ques-
tions that State Senator w. A. Robeson on
the oath or 25th of November came to him
and said witness would get $500, 900 II he
would insure the State for the Democrats.
Witness said he did not know the Returning
Board threw out more Tilden than Hayes
votes until after they adjourned.
Maddox, the Treasury Agent who testified
before the House committee in the Louis
lana case, was on the I'd dismissed from his
official position. ''
At the Cabinet meeting on the ID the
President submitted message to Congress
recommending specie resumption at an ear
lier date than fixed by law. a a---
The House committee on the Sd further
examined Maddox. He gave to the com.
mittee the two letters spoken Of In his pre-
Vious, eXamluation. One addressed to him
self, dated NEW Orleans, Eov. 90" signed
j. Madison Wells, suggested that Maddox 90
to Washington and place before the Presi
dent the condition and pending dangers OF
the situation, and recommended him to
Senator West. The other was addressed to
Senator West, who, .upon request, opened
and read 1t. 1t Is as tollowst
New oRLHkNs, La, Nov. 81, 167d.
MY DEAR SENATOR: regret much In not sse-
Ing you when here; wanted 70 say much to you
which would be at least imprudent 10 put upon
paper; trust, however, TO meet YOU In Washfng-
ton as soon rs the canvass Is over which is upon
US. Our duties as returning officers have aug
mented the magnitude OF the destiny OF two great
parties; may not cay OF the nRtlOni fully com
prehend the sitnaton as well a. my duty 10 the
greatest living General, US Grant and not, with
my consent shall this oppressed people be gov.
erned by his parOled prisoners aided by the
white-livered towards OF the North Let me, my
esteemed sir, warn you OF the danger. Millions
have been eept here, and will be used In the in
terest Of Iilden and upless there u some counter