The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-01-31

/ IA. I was instructed BY Governor Wells
to bring him the two statements accompa-
nying the consolidated statement. ii gave
them TO him the day after the PRONUNCIATION.
He was about to put them into hts pocket,
when asked him whether 1t WINS not indis-
Greet to do 30. He said was right. Whether
he or destroyed them cannot say,
but saw them burned. AS to the original
statement OF the poll OF Vernon parish With
the. alterations now before him, Governor
| Wells told him to make away with 1t. / felt
| I had done little too much already.
| / took the paper home for the purpose OF
DESTROYING it, but did not. commune
Gated these facts to MIR. Spearing, my uncle,
and gave him the paper, to be used
by him and others in whom confidence
could be placed-to be used in behalf Of the
Nichols government, which Mr.. Spearing
supported, and thought that Nichols was
elected Governor. requested OF him
that nv name should never be known In
this transaction, and that / should not be
subpnnaed. to testify. gave him the pa
pers in New Orleans. The last time saw
the paper was in the Office of Governor
Palmer, in Springfield, 1t having been con-
veyed thither by Mr.. Spearins. From that
time to this he had never seen the paper
till it was produced yesterday before the
committee. Governor Wells asked me the
same night to make the change in the cleo
toral vote.
| Governor Wells was examined by the
committee in New Orleans. He told me he
was asked how Vernon parish returns were
received, and felt very uneasy. First he
said to me, II" Can't you make copy Of the
original? Find out what will make an ag-
srecate. and we will reject them" He then
said, {" We will have the affdaYits pre-.
pared" (meaning affidavits to show why
polls were rejected.) The affidavits were
sworn to before United States Commissioner
Jewell. Each affidavit was sworn to by
three persons. I recollect the names OF
those persons who swore to them-Jim
Brown, Sam. Collins, and Sam. Collier.
| They made their marks. The afhdavits
were dated, I believe November "A, 1873,
and came into the office OF the Board on the
18th OF December.
| @. Did Governor Wells speak about forg-
ing the name OF Thomas Franklin
A. He asked me to practice SO / could
make the signature to the returns, but I
did not do it.
O. Since you came to Washington have
you had interviews with any parties in re-
gard to your testimony?
A. have conversed with several parties,
including Senator Kellogg and Marshal Pit
kin. Governor Kellogg did not question
me particularly, but seemed anxious to do
80. Pitkin spoke about the former inter-
course and personal relations, which, he
said, had been pleasant; and he wanted me
to consider well before testlfying, and as to
what course [ should take. told him
did not intend to testify if I could
help it. He as much as inferred
that I should remember my friends. He
thought it wise in Ire to stick to my own
party. This conversation took place either
Saturday or Sunday night.
@. Was anything said about furnishing
counsel or protecting you?
A. He said if desired he would engage
counsel.
Associate Justices Clifford, Strong, Mil
Ter, and Field were in secret conference
three hours this morning, but adjourned
without arriving at q conclusion as to which
OF their associates should be selected as the
fifth member. It may be considered GER
tain, however, that tomorrow morning,
soon after they reassemble, they will select
Justice Bradley and promptly communicate
the fact to Congress.
Mr.. Stephens became worse during the
evening, and at midnight is quite low. His
situation is more critical than it has ever
been, but death is not apprehended lmme-
diately.
James D. Brady, of Portsmouth, has been
nominated for collector Of the Second Vir-
ginia district.
Judge Settle, of North Carolina, has been
confirmed as Judge OF the Northern district
of Florida.
Four batteries Of artillery recently or
dered here have been ordered back to Fort
ress Monroe. It is thought the other troops
will leave for the North and West shortly.
A. T. Britton succeeds Murtagh on thu
Police Board. .-...,
Arthur B. Wood, chief OF the Consulate
Bureau of the State Department, has been
abroad several months investigating alleged
customs frauds, in which certain firms in
New York, Boston, Philadelphia, st. Louis,
and Chicago, in league with custom-house
officers and foreign consuls, are involved.
The matter has been placed in the hands OF
District-Attorney Woodford, with instruc-
tions to prosecute. The Department claims
to have strong case.