The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-02-05
LOUISIANA.
LittIefteld COnfesses His Own Bad
Character.
Gov. wells Ready 10 Contradict
Maddox.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3. Maddox pleaded sick
ness this morning, and desired the committee
to excuse him until Monday. He gave to Mr.
Field two letters, one addressed to Hon. j. r.
West Washington, D. c., which was sealed,
and an open letter addressed to the witness
The latter contained nothing important. At
the request of Mr.. Field Senator West opened
the letter addressed to him and read it as fol.
lows:
New ORLEANS, La, Nov. q, 1876
My Dear Senator,-I regret much not seeing
you when here. [ wanted to say much to you
which it would be at least imprudent to put on
paper. L trust however to meet you in Wash
ngton, as soon as the canvass is over which IS
upon US. Our duties as returning officers have
augmented to the magnitude of the destiny of
the two great partles-may not say, the ma
ton. fully comprehend the situation, as well
as my duty to the greatest living General, q.
S Grant; and not with my consent shall this
oppressed people be governed 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 sent here and will
be used IN the interest of Tilden; and unless
there is some counter movement. it will be i'm
possible for me or any other individual to ar
rest its results. The gentleman presenting this
letter is fully aware of the moves and if you
allow, will communicate freely to our friends
Act promptly, or the result will be disastrous
A hint to the WISE Strictly private aud con.
fidential
Yours very truly,
j. MADISON WELLS.
To Hon. j. r. West, Washington, D. c.
After the letters sent by Maddox to the COM
mittee; written by j. Madison Wells, were
read, Senator West permitted the committee
| to take copies of them. Mr.. Wells explana.
| ton OF these letters is understood to be that
| the Democrats and White Leagues were strain
| ing every nerve and using large sums to carry
| their purposes, and Wells wanted the Republi-
/ authorities in IA North doc hnr +bo
| letters did not suggest the use of corrupt
| means.
Little6eld testified that he was on the return.
ing BOARD from Nov. Sd to Dec. 23d He had
| gambled some; went into bar-rooms some but
not all the time. The woman who lived with
him was not his wife. He reiterated his tes-
| tmony that Wells instructed him to alter the
returns of polls and 8 of Vernon parish His
examination was quite lengthy, the only new
| point of importance was the statement that
Clifford was greatly intoxicated when he sent
the despatch, despite Littlefelds protestations
to Senator Allison, stating that he had import
ant developments to make. Clifford was SO
drunk that Lttlefleld copied the despatch for
him.
Senator Allison states that Clifford wrote, u OF
telegraphed, to him that he had inform alton of
/ great Importance. Allison showed the letter
to Senators Wright and Morton, and by their
advice telegrapbed Clifford, st will be safe to
consult Senator Howe" He did not telegraph,
Littlefeld states, GLOVE Only is safe.''
by a party vote the House committee to-day
Give Democrats and four Republicans) refused
the request of Gov. Wells to be allowed to ties
1 THY to-day, in order that his testimony might
appear to the;public to affect that Of Little
fields.
4 The testimony relative to the alleged irregu-
lerities in connection with the late election in
Louisiana, given before the House committee
by Littlehed and Maddox during the week, is
4 said to be corroborated by some of the wit.
2 QoSgaS who pynnnta6 n rriv hara
I New orleans Tomorrow. Who these witnesses
are 1t is Impossible to say, as the members of
the committee are exceedingly reticent on this
subject as we'll as in relation to the subject
matter OF the testimony to be adduced
| The Louisiana returning board will testify
before Senator's committee during the early
part of next week. The returning board are
held subject to the order of Mr.. Morrison's
committee of the House. There ia a verbal
UNDERSTANDING between the two commit tees
that whenever the Senate committee desire
the returning board will appear before them,
| j.. Madison Wells submitted to the House in
vestigatlng committee to-day the following let
| ter:
| "rhe testimony of Joseph FL. Maddox hay
| ing oeen taken by the committee in reference
to alleged conversations between him and N.Y.
| self, and certain letters iavi been produced,
L most respectfully insist that my testimony In
relation to these matters should be taken
without delay. feel 1T is due to me that what
| w
known to tie com mittee Immediately and that
the facts should go TO the country with those
letters. There is nothing in connection with
my conduct as member of the returning
board or as an individual touching the subject
under consideration which 1 desire to with
hold: On the contrary, am anxious that the
| whole OF these facts shall be known. l also
desire to be INTERCEPTED in relation to the
matter testified to by the witness (Littlefield)
affecting me, and [ most respectfully protest
| against flrthAr 0AIaU in tba =
| animation.
| (SignedO j. MADISON WELLS"
=, 1t has been decided to examine Wells on
| Monday.
Reports 40 be Made To-Day.
| WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.-The Morrison Louis.
| lana investigating committee having finished
the examination of witnesses will make a re-
| port to the House tomorrow. Gen. Hurlburt
| Will present the minority report.
| Senator Howe's committee will also mako
their report to the Senate tomorrow relaJiye to
the Louisiana election.