Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-03-01
THE INVESTIGATIONS.
Compiled from Associated Press Reports, unless
Otherwise Designated.l
LOUISIANA N

On the 18th, the Committee on the
Powers, Privileges and Duties of the House ex-
amined Duncan P. Kenner, of New Orleans, who
said GOV. Wells told untruth in testifying that
he (Kenner) offered him q bribe to cast the vote
Of Louisiana for Tilden; witness stated fur her
that he met Gov. Wells on the street Nov. II or
Is. and said he wished to him at his (witnessO
otfce Wells replied that he was perfectly viii ing
to ak frankly and freely on the subject of the
election, but thaC he was poor man. this allusion
led the witness to suppose that he alluded to
the loss of his office and the witness asked him
what office Gov. Packard could offer that Won d
compensate him for the hatred of his people;
Wells replied that he did not care for the office,
but that any compensation he might receive for
his course must enable him to retire to his plan
tation in Rapides Parish; that this big
thing, the biggest thing he ever handled, and
promises would not answer this time, as he was
de- ermined to make it tell; witness urged
Well to name some amount, but he refused, say
ing he must first consult with Tom Anderson; at
another interview els said he doubted whether
his (witness0 ability to raise a large enough
amount; witness asked how much Ander-
son wanted, and Wells replied, half million;
the witness said this was perfectly ridicu-
Ions, and, if the demand was insisted upon
they might as well drop matters; after
the promulgati on of the vote they met, anc wit
ness express ed his astonishment and regret at
Wells course. Wells said, What could | do?
You had no money! witness said he hoped
Wells had made himself safe, and Wells replied
g You bet or words to that effect. The wi ness
on cross examination, said he hired room in the
City Hotel, in which they met and named several
persons to whom he spoke on the subject of rails
ing money; he himself proposed to give $4,000.
Duncan P. Kenner was further exam-
ined before the House Committee ON Powers,
Privileges etc.. on the 10Th, and said that he had
no special interview with Gov Nichols on the
subject of his interviews with Gov. Wells, al
though he may have told Gov. Nichols that
he was making every possible effort to
views will Wells, witness said to the lat er: g
am astonished at the gravity and solemnity with
which you have listened to this story of Eliza
Pinkston's;" Wells replied: g You don't suppose
that am to be humbugged by any such yarn as
that?' Witness further said that Wells told him
that he had been approached by some one who
offered him large sum of money if he (Wells)
would let him know the result of the canvass be-
forehand e4-ssr-
Ex-Gov. Palmer, of Illinois, was be-
fore the House Louisiana subcommittee, on the
20th and testified to two conversations with Little
field dabout having equal facilities with the Repu5li-
Visiting Committee, but in none of these
ducements to Littlefeld TO do anything:
never heard Spearing or Littlefeld speak of
aegea aaos S fb 5s af IN tne elee
met Spearing, Littlefeld ard Judge Murphy, of
Davenport. at Springfield. H., and was told that
Littlefed had in his possession the consolidated
return of Vernon Parish: the paper was produced
and witness compared it with the published ect-
oral vote; there were differences, and witness
terview or correspondence with Lttleield after
that; Spea ing told witness he had paid the ex-
penses of the trip Springfield and ed to bor
row money o take them back: witness loaned him
his Endorsement note T 500 as he won
have loaned another man; witness advised Little
field ard Spearing 10 return at once to New Or
leans and place themselves in communication with
Morris ms Committee; witness believes that it is
likely Wells made that alteration. and with first
rate chances of detection when Littleded brought
| the paper 10 Springfield witness reluctant TO
believe his statement after making the confess
sion; there was not word said by witness
10 them about paying them money or about their
| going to New York; witness told Littlefeld that
| if he went on aud told what he professed 10 know
and it should be confirmed, he would be doing a
great service to the country and would be held in
| kind remembrance. but there was moth
| ing said about giving Littlefeld money,
| or about his going TO New York to com
municate with Mr.. Tilden or Col. Pelton:
Littlefeld asked witness for no bribe, nor did
| witness offer or intimate any offer of bribe to
him; in examining the tabulated return pre-
| seDted bv Ltiledeld at Springfield. witness made
| up his mind that Wells and the Returning Board
| had committed q CRIME. and that an exposure of
Lit would impair their credit before the country