Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-02-06
WASHINGTON.
The Presidential Question.

WASHINGTON, February 5. The committee OF
powers, privileges and duties of the house me-
this forenoon.
The first witness was c. Cssanavo of the re-
turning board who testified he had no knowledge
of any alteration of returns from Vernon parish
Had no acquaintance with Maddox, and had NJ
knowledge OF having any conversation with W elli
in regard to the election. Wells never suggested
to take any measure to affect the result Of the
election. Had no knowledge of the returns OF
precinct No. ., from Vernon parish being burned
had no knowledge of the resul. of the election
til after the returns had been canvassed.
He did not know as a fact that the reason why
Kennedy was not elected member of the boarc
was because the republican members of the boarC
did not want democrat TO watch them. Had nc
recollection of the United States superv sor being
refused permission TO be present Is positive there
were afhdavts or protest from the supervisor il
the case of either west or east Baton Rouge; was
positive the atiidavts were before the board in
ecutive session, but he could not remember
whether five hundred or ten thousand precincts
were thrown out. Did not remember whether re
turns which came IN first were for Hayes or Tildeu
electors.
Had no conversation with anybody as to the
majority while the returns were being canvassed
and knew nothing as TO the result of the election
until after the canvass was completed.
In answer to the inquiry whether the returns
were opened in secret session, he said
Ycs-no. We had ono paper in secret session
the what YOU may call i'll forget the name-thc
constaoulated statement; the whole OF il in the
handwriting of the Supervisor.
Mr.. Bufchard He means the consolidated
statement.
The witness-That's it, That is what mean
when sud consolidated. ! meant consolidated
These statements were given back to the clerk:
and finally filed in the office of the Secy of State
lie did not know any instance in which affidavit,
regarding any returns came IN after these returns
were received, nor in which the returns were
thrown out, without any protests or affdavits. lie
knew nothing about the alleged frauds in OuaCha
ia, or Vernon parishes, nor Eliza PInkertons sto-
~, and said the paper showing marks against Yer
non parish looked like fraud.
lie was shown other papers with figures differ
ing from the original returns, and admitted they
looked like fraud, but agreed with BuIchard that
he did not know anything about the correctucs,
of the latter papers shown him, and then said to
Lawrence that he did not mean to say a fraud
was committed but that ne did not know any
thing about it.
wrange occurred after Casanavo's testimony
consequent upon, as ella aimed by Lawrence Bmch-
ard and other republican members, the violation
of rules of house and committee by Field having
had printed at some outside printing office, in
pamphlet form, the evidence taken up to end OF
last week.
Committee went into secret session to settle the
matter after which Wells testimony was taken.
When Mr.. Wells questioned regarding the de-
strucion Of the returns from certain polls of er-
non Parish he answered very excitedy.
In reply TO a question as to whether he was
present or gave any directions to that effect he
said that the man who swore was an unmiti
gated liar lie begged the committees pardon
for such violent language He stated that the
ordinary papers did not accompany the returns
from Vernon Parish.
Question-Was there any discussion between
you and Maddox in relation to the resig naton OF
any of the republican members of the board for
the purpose Of affordng the democrats an oppor-
tunity to fill the vacancies
Answer-No sir.
Odd you have any conversation with Mad
doN about what the word Hold should mean.
A.-None whatever.
Q-Were you furnished with or did you know
about any cipher by means of which correspon-
dence between you and Maddox was to be car
ried on.
A.-No sir.
Odd you say you wanted $200,0 for
yourself and Anderson, and smaller sum for
each one of the NIggers
Al never used that language with reference
to my colleagues on the Board. They are not
''Niggers" but colored men and gentlemen.
Q-Did Maddox say anything about the nego-
tiations in New York having failed.
A.-Nothing of the kind.
Q.-Did you say at noon of Dec. 9th, to Mad
dox that the majority for the Hayes electors
would be about 1900 to 1900
A-No sir.
Can't Find Him.
J. F. Littlefeld. whose examination was to be
continued, did not put in an appearance, claiming