Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-01-04

to vote the Democratic ticket. but took pencil
and scratched as many names as possible; wit
ness father was killed inhis (sitness) presence
in 1868 for voting the Republican ticket. Henry
NJ. McCauley. Lieutennt in the United States
Army, testified 10 there hlying been intimidation
at Monroe.
A. NJ. G.. Hearsey, Republican, of New
Orleans, was before the Iouse Committee on the
23d, and testified that thee was no intimidation
before the election, but tire after the voting
closed; was Commissioner of Election at Poll
NO IN the Eleventh sssTd; the Democratic
Commissioners would no allow him to quit the
count and go home, and wanted him to do that
which was not required bylaw; the election was
quiet and peaceable; belIeSs all the votes polled
there were legal; didn't hink the tally-sheets
were correctly kept; thinks he Democrats received
all the votes that were couned for them; witness
signed the returns under fea of his-life A w
Kempton testified that he WIS also Repu bIican
Commissioner at the same tolI, and corroborated
Hearsey's testimony; objected to the tally-sheets,
cratic Supervisor; signd the tally-sheets
under fear of his lif Mr.. Ledick de-
MED the statements of Hearsey and Kemp
ton as to threats mae by him. Louis
Backus Supervisor of Regiration, testified that
Maj Burke made changes on the tally-sheets.
Maj. Burke emphatically deiedthe statement of
committee at Lafayette Parbh that there was no
intimidation of fRepublicansthere; knew num-
Der Of colored mep who Vted the Democratic
ticket. Another citizen Of the same parish also
lence and that the election was peaceable and
quiet. Several other witnesses testified to the
same effect, and impeached he testimony of wit
nesses before the Returning Board. special
from Monroe says witness of high character
there had contradicted ever, essential particular
of Eliza Pinks on's story. special from Shreve-
port says the investigation here showed irregu-
lar ties in the counting of votes. and fully sns-
tained the action of the Returning Board.
Before the Senate committee, on the
26th Mr.. Mcdonald wanted Col j. W. Patton.
Chairman of the Democratic State Executive
Committee, to rebut the eyience in reference to
his famous circular. and he vas called and testi-
fed 10 the effect that the Dmocratic State Con
vantion adopted resolutions favoring and COM
mending peace, and the principles enunciated
there were for full, fre and fair election.
In his speech accepting he nomination for
Governor Sen. Nichols sid he accepted only
ernor of the whole pople, without re-
gard to color or race. a circlar published BY the
witness during the campaign and Incorporated in
Senator Sherman's report. vas shown TO the wit
ness, aud he was asked if i was true copy; he
replied that it was, and said it was marked
confidential" because ont member of the COM
mltee said he was Oppnseito any circular, as,
no matter what was written, it would be mis-
construed by the people o. the North; another
said max ing it 'contdeltiar' would attract
the attention of those whom they were
sent; the circulars were scattered broadcast,
and there was no intenion of keeping the
contents col o sectet and icy were intended
said it had been the Universal custom of
the committee to urge uponmembers of the party
the supreme importance of preserving the pc .ce at
the sacrifice of everything but self-defense; he
was satisfied that in fair free and peaceable
election they could carry theState; knew nothing
ol-the conduc of the campaim in Ouachita except
from :hearsay Sam NcEnery, lawyer, of
rifle clubs had no connection with the political
clubs OF the parish and for the purpose of
preserving the peace and protecting Democratic
fhaip
of his know edge he knew of only one case of
the latter kind; but had learned of others, ac-
counts of which he detailed.
VIM. Orton was oalled by the House
Committee. but not appearing, resolution was
adopted declaring him in contempt of the process
of the House, because of his refusal to appear be,
fore the cOmmil tee and testify. and to bring with
him all the telegrams in his possession or control
sent by the persons namedin the subpoena served
upon him. Several witnesses were examined be-
colored citizens having leen prosecuted and
abused for acting with the Democratic party, and
voting the Democratic tlcke,
The Senate SUBJ Committee, consisting
of Messrs Wadleigh, Mcmillan and Mcdonald,
met on the 27th, and took uT the Parish of East
Baton Rouge. Six witnesses testified as to out
RACES by so-called :" Buldosrs'' or g Regulators
in that parish, by which clored Republicans
were intmidated and prevented from voting. or
compelled to vote the Democratic ticket. De-
tailed accounts were given of the killing of
VIM. r. Payne (colored), his wife stating
that, in June last, hei husband, who
was prominent Republican, made speech on a
Saturday, and was killed on the following Tues
day morning by a body of white men. who came
and broke down the door, tied moose around
her husbands neck, and mounting their horses,
galloped off, dragging him on the ground and
taunting him. Before the main committee, Sam
D. McEnery testified further to the effect that one
of the first efforts of the Democrats was
to break down the color-line, by assuring
the negroes that their general condition would
beimproved by their joining the whites in an at
tempt to secure good government; in
order 10 do this, the assistance of leading
colored men in The various wards was first en-
listed, and arguments and reason were used to in
duce the colored men to join by both cOlored and
white speakers. and their efforts We're generally
essful, large numbers of colored citizens
Voluntarily siding with the Democrats at the late
election. s-sE N~s--,
Several witnesses were examined before
the House Committee, on the 9th, their evidence
being mainly to the effect that the negroes in
many cases acted with the Democrats voluntari y
and were persecuted by CO ored Republicans Tor SO
doing James Lewis fcolored) made statement
relative to the testimony of n. II Wilson, on the
26th said he never told Wilson nor any one else
that the Republicans would be counted in,
whether elected or not; said the statement of
Wilson was false