, 1877-01-21
LOUISIANA.
WELLS TESTIMONY.

WELLS TESTIMONY.
WASHINGTON. D. C., Jan. oo.-Madison Wells,
President Of the Louisiana Returning Board,
was examined by Mr.. Field who inquired wheth-
er there WIS not vacancy in that Board which
was not filed, and why! Tie answer of the
witness vas In the affirmative, and he said the
vacancy was not filled because the members
could not agree upon the man. DR.. Kennedy
vas proposed BY the Democrats, but portion
Of the Board objected to him. There we're four
members acting as the Board. nil of them Re-
publlcans. They never resolved to reject or ad-
nit another person as member Of the Board.
Question-W'hy did you not, as President, put
q proposition to the Boarsli
Answer-1 did not propose to have PROPOSE
tion acted upon Instantly, but asked the oues-
1ion Of the Board, When would they take
actioni':
the admission Of DR.. Kennedy as a member Of
the Board!
Answcr-Nonc; it was several days after the
Board had commenced examining the returns
that Zachar1e, representing the Democrats, pro-
tested against further proceedings unless the
vacancy VAS filed; but tho vacancy was not
filed
Witness said the result Of the canvassers was
showed the number OF votes rejected.
Ar. Lawrence objected to further questioning
on this point, as the subject was matter of rec
ord, and as no refusal had been made to inspect
the report Of the Returning Board and to take
copies Of the records.
Mr. Field said the fact that the records we're
not here, Was not the fault OF the Committee,
who had the right by oral inquiry to find out
II
to ask what were In tho papcrs.
The Committee ovcrruled Lawrencc's objec-
taon,-yeas, Lawrence and McDil; nays, Field,
Marsh, Tucker, and Knott
Witness had no recollection whether the rec
ord he refused to produce showed the whole
number OF votes cast in Louisiana, and could not
recall that he knew single man who voted con-
tsarr to his wishes because of intimidation.
Representative Field remarked that witness
was refusing to answer categorical questions,
and he would move to make tho fact known to
the House.
GEN. ANDERSON,
a member Of the Returning Board. testified
there was no objection to DR.. Kennedy beoou~
inc a member OF the Returning Board because
lc was not gentleman, but because members
did not approve Of his appointment Witness
several persons about taking the place Two
thirds Of the votes thrown out we're for Tildcn
Electors. 4 great many afndavits charging
intimidation and fraud we're sworn to In New
Orleans, but the majority were sworn to OUT
eide Of that dtY.
Witness was asked, Do you mean to say that
IN every instance where vote was rejected the
return, when you obtained possession Of it, con-
tanned either statement Of the suspension OF
the election, that there had been intimidation,
or m affidavit to that cnecta
Answer-Ycs. Where there had been intitni-
dation, or fraud, or some illegal practice. These
statements and atiidayits ho believed were in
the Office Of the Secretary Of State II Louis
ians. He thought the Kellogg Electors received
IS, 600 and the MrEnery Electors II 900 votes
The Returning Board filed the result OF the can
ya.s on the 5th Of December, but kept the pa
pers until the 5th Of January. the Board having
IN the meantime to canvass the vote for State
officers and members Of Congress:
The COMMITTEES adjourned till Monday.
A LOUISIANA DELEGATION.
Col r. A. Burke, OF New Orleans, accredited
10 Washington by Gov. Nichols, visited tue
President this morning, accompanied By the