The New York herald., 1877-02-06
Explanation of the Letter to
Senator West.
" NO VERNON RETURNS TO BURN"
Cross Examination by Mr..
Dudley Field.
THE WITNESS GREATLY EXCITED.
Strange Contradictions and
Cross Purposes.
rrnoM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

rFnoM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
WAsHrsaroN, Feb s, 1877.
The discovery made this afternoon tnat j. Madison
Wells, ofthe Louisiana Returning Board has been
sort Of walking arsenal slnco here, created
something OF a sensation among tho members Of tho
committee to determine the powers, privileges and
duties OF tho House tho electoral contest Orders
have been given and taken to dsarm Wells,
who sad has in tho course OF his life killed thiec
or four men, and probably less provocation
than Messrs. Field and Knott have gwen
was committed to prison In tho Capitol
tho officers in charge Of him noticed that two revov-
ers were among his baggage but attempt was made
to take them away from him. 1t seems that he had
these weapons on his person whilo under crosscxamn
ation by Mr. Field this afternoon, crossexaminaton
SO searching and severe that Wells was more than
once aroused to the highest pitcn OF passion
PROCEEDINGS or THE COMMITTEE.
Tho Conn mittee on the Powers Privileges and Duties
OF the House Counting the Electoral Vote met this
morning. In consequence OF the prom ised cxplana-
ton Of Governor Wells OF the correspondence submit
ted by Maddox and OF Litteaed's testimony the CON-
mittee room crowded with expeclant auditors.
Tho programme of the procedure slightly changed,
however, inasmuch Governor Wells was not put
upon the stand as first witness, agreed upon
Saturday, but tho first witness examined was g.
Casanave, OF tho Returning Board.
TESTIMONY OF cAsANAvE
He testified that he had no knowledge OF any atera-
ton OF IRON Vernon parish, and had seen
none on any paper laid before the Board he had no
acquaintance with Maddox, and had no knowledge of
his having any conversation with Governor Wells in
regard TO election Governor Wells never suggested
TO witness take any money or other valuable con-
sideration to affect result of the election; did not
know about Maddox having any conversation on that
subject with Wells; he had knowledge OF the re.
turns OF Precinct No. from Vernon parish being
burned; had knowledge Of the result OF the cleo
tion until after the returns had been canvassed.
BY Mr.. Fields undertaken by trade; was ap-
pointed on the Board in 1878; there was vacancy on
Board 1875 and 1876, caused by tho resignation
In 1875 of the democratic member; 1t was never hiled
Dr. Kcnncdy's name was suggested by letter from
members Of the democratic party does not know who
LAID before the Board does not know whether
this done before alter the canvass commenced;
the first meeting Board regarding the late eec
ton was on November IL or u; ala not believe
they began the canvass unlil November ~ or 20;
thinks receipt oil the letter suggesting Dr. ken-
nedy's name was mentioned in tho minutes Ton look
ing printed copy Of the minutes handed the
witness by Mr. Fica he said he could not
find any mention of the letter.; he did not know what
Wells said when he presented the letter; does not
know anything about DR.. Kennedy's standing in New
Orleans; he did not know a fact that the reason
why Kennedy was not elected because the repub-
licun members Of The Board did not want democrat
to watch them; did think it part OF his duty TO
propose Kennedy's election to III the vacancy; tho
visiting committees were present at all the delIbera-
tons and meetings OF the Board except at inc secret
in ha dtgpu mad
the returns compiled and tho results declared; wit
ness construction of the language OF the reso-
tees Ito be present ut the canvasslng, compiling and
declaring the result OF tho returns." was In conso-
with the action of the Board IN excluding them
from tho secret sessions lad recollection OF the
United States Supervisor beng refused PERMISSION to
Sod Ms Keu"er M % Generally did the asurns Mr. Ken
ner kept memorandum of tho secret sessions ior
himself and witness.
He stated that, in rejcctng any precinct or poll,
they acted upon the evidence before them Is positive
that there aidavits or protest from the SUPER
the OF either West or East Baton Rouge.
Witness stated that he positive that atdavits were
before Board In session. but he could not
remember whether 500 or TO- 900 precincts were thrown
out
| Tor the Hayes or tho Tildcn ccctorsY A. really
cannot remember.
| O Had you any conversation during the time the
returns were canvassed, with anybody regarding the
majority? A. With nobody in Tho world.
| a. And you did not know anything about the result
oil The election until after tho was completely
| A.
! Witness stated that they completed the canvass for
| Presidential electors on December q, but tncn cor
dates he believed was IN January; 1t was about nine
O'Clock in the morning; all four members were pres.
ent, and he thought the return was signed by all
q Did You open tho returns In secret session. A.
Ycs-no; had paper In secret session-thc
what you may call III forgot the name; it was only
| one paper-the contabulatcd stalement-the whole Of
q. In whose handwriting was thss A. In that of
! the Supervisor.
q. What supervisory A. The Supervisor of Elec-
tons.
Mr. Burchard--He means the consolidated statement
The Witness-fhat's II; that's what meant when
l said contabuatcd meant consolidated
u. What has become OF that papcrY A. do not
| know what you mean by that
q What done with these statements? A. They
gwen back to the clerks, and lnady filed in tho
| ofice oil the Secretary oil State.
The witness stated that he did not know any instance
In VIII ch alidavits regarding any returns alter
these returns haa pcen 'eccNea nor ~ wicn retul
were thrown out without any protests or alhdavts.
He remembered nothing about the returns from the
parish OF Ouachita about letter from the super
visor there Transmitting Eza PInkston's testimony,
and saying that he had received II late for fling II
with the other testimony accompany ing his returns.
THE VERNON RETURN.
Mr.. Casanave was intcrrogaed concerning the
original return RON Vernon parish. and stated that
he did not believe that the word 'c0mped," written
ON the same was in Mr.. Kcnner's handwriting. IL,
Will be that Kenner himself testified that
he wrote that word on the return IN question) The
word compiled Indicated that the return passed
q. Look at the paper marked "a" and the black
lines opposite tue parlsh VI vernon anu explain now y
Is that there three precincts thrown out when the
original return had been accepted as correctY A.
| know nothing at ali about that
q. We'll, that looks as IL some fraud had been com
mitted, thcn, does 1t not? A. Yes, sir.
q. DO you know who had 10 do with that fraudY A.
| do not
O. Now, look again at the original return and SEQ
whether you can tell where " has been atercdS A.
cannot where IL has.
q Look at the paper marked app and sec how
many votes were cast the Hayes electors in Vernon
parish A. Two votes for six aud one voto Tor two o
thc electors.
U Now, look at the paper marked "C' and see how
that, the ina return, the vote standsY a. Ther'
are 40 votes three and l0S votes Tor the othc
electors.
q That shows another fraud, does IT notS A. Tha
paper shows fraud
Mr.. Burchard--You do not know anything aDou
the correctness OF these papers A. do not
q. You never them before y A. have NOT
Mr. Lawrence--You don't mean to say that iIau