The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-02-06
THE FRAUD IN LOUISIANA.
ryo or THE PERPETRiTORs ON THE
UIyNISS STAND.
me Testimony Of Cn.enave and Wells OF the
Returning Board Ignorance OF the Vernon
Parish Fraud Gov. Wells tontrndictirg
u.ddox'- Tcsttri nny-C ross T. y nminn ton.

w.surNGToN, Feb. 5-The testimony of
Madison Wells was the distinguishing feature
If the proceedings OF the Committee on Priv
ies,s and Powers Of the House to-day. Mr.
casrnavc. one OF the coored members of the
Louisiana Returning Board was first called to
The chair but like his fellow member, Mr.. Ken
nor who testified last week. his memory was at
foun in every essential particular. Their part
seemed 10 have been well learned. and ii was
very simple one thanks TO the printing and
nromptings Of Jorc Wilson. the counsel for the
board In the direct examination Cnscnavc at
empted to tell a very plausible story. hut it was
shown to be wholly inconsistent with the facts.
which he was admirably and iorcibly confronted
with on the cross-cxaminution He was forced
10 admit that there had been fraudulent atera-
lions ON the return from Vernon parish. but at
rmpted to cxoncrate himself from the charge
pf having been "A party to the fraud by denying
that he knew anything as to how or by whom it
was done.
when Gov Wells took the chair all eyes wcrc
directed toward him. ns 1t was wondered how
he would meet and attempt To explain away the
rascality which appeared ON the face OF the maj
returns made 10y him aud his fellow members OF
the Returning Board. He undertook. ON the
direct examination by Mr.. Lawrence. to tell
straightforward story. which. however. was
completely shattered by Mr.. Field on the cross
examination. His manner toward Mr.. Field
MIS- very rude and audaciOus. and II was feared
several times that he might attempt personal
violence upon him. The chairman OF the COM
mttoe had frequently to warn him chat his con-
duct WAS wholly out of place and would not bc
tolerated. The theory he attempted To advance
In reference to his letter 60 Senator West. and
which WAS to have been delivered 10y Maddox.
WAS rendered most uoticcahly untcuahle hy the
IL ...l... d
clause BY clause and demanded an explanation
upon each. Wells became obsireperous and
frequently hesitated to answer, through sheer
Inability to do sat l-factorily 10 his side of the
ease, and when the examination of the letter
was completed there did not seem TO he the
smallest loophole through which Wells could
escape uusrathrd. TIE cOl-tru. ton already
put upon tho letter. that 1t WAS simply hid for
the Republicans io come down. II they wished
Ia secure return Tor Hayes. was more np-
parent than ever. He also admitted the iraudu-
lent alterations appearing on the return OF
Vernon parish. hut. like Cnscnuye did not eN-
plain how or 10y whom they were committed. 1t
Il generally remarked that Wells has not bet
tered his side of the case by appearing before
the committee, which was permitted at his own
request. His cross; examination will be re-
BuIned and completed tomorrow morning.
cAsENAvEs TESTIMONY.
G. Casenave of the Returning Board. testified
that he had no knowledge Of any alteration OF
the returns from Vernon parish. and had seen
none on any piper laid before the honrd. h"
had no acquaintance with Maddox. and had no
knowledge oil ms having any conversation Mih
Gov Wells IN regard tothc election Gov Wells
~ c,bsr Ssinah. consiioration Il" irf The r..
Sult ~ Tho election. ~. did nnt Know about
Maddox haying any conversation on that sub
lect with Wells. He had no knowledge ot the
returns ~ Precinct No from Vernon parish
beng burned lie had no knowledge OF the re-
iult Of the election until after tie returns had
oeen canvas~ed.
In answer 10 questions put 10y Mr.. Field the
witness said; w......,,a,.
BOARD in 1873 Their was vacancy ON The board in
oemocrauc member II was never nllcl Dr kcn.
hs bsm r, rnry io ioi snow ~ho lad The letter
seiore the board nor whether I'M, Wa, done before pr
Ioard had REGARDING the late election wa, on So. Ii or
Il not eehe,e they b'-an ne canvas nnn Nov 10
Kennedy name Wa mentioned il the minutes dcqk.
H. field cannot hnd any mention NJ III letter do
sot know What Wgl,' sa,l wh, , ne prer.n''a
We v "xnn,oy uY VA. NV nj cicrtel va. besau.a the
s.pubican members Of thc board did - Demo
,rat 10 watch them ne '-uns c'nmiit'es w. ,rt rTs,,
mt At All the dem erai'n, 'd W ruh.- ~ llr Donr
except a. he ,eerei So, In ih- The d,nnt,d ea,c'
,i,rei INV, NO ,to,, ~ The t.d Sta., su-r
,sor being refused f,fm.-ion We present. In ~ =.
De he d Hiii1. III R'o,r s9ia %,saHniama
inc or poii We ac,d aioa W. e,iicncc before a., lam
sr'ors in The &c S e,esr Mt or e., s"
s''-, hi l''i"'' .i"t "'l.i' ~ "',' H - "a .
b bS'l bu, m ,s ,o.nn, t wr r,r 5at
NJ nave. Or te rGtn s,e,orsi Al realy cannot re
uemlNr
o-ta1 von any conversation dnring tho INN, th. TO-.
luSn. ,,"r cnnVas-d MN s,i.it r.rai,ilis m. ma
'nrfxf 4 Win uIl..it in fi. t,trlfs
Q-And You did snow ANYTHING about mo result Of
me l,ttint ninth NIT Up tle ttuNn.-l No.
-', go" 1'','i ,,'a, ,noo,.oss
IN - -hll liiui lh'N ''lnlfl'l inc fdfNi~-
'Or Preside ntia electors on Dec g, hut then cor
rrct,.i himself aud said tnHt ne did not rcmcin-
h. th. date He believed II WINS i'm Iauunrv II
sts al,ont nina n,.ln.,k In liz mnrninr XII io1r
- - - 80. ,'',,.,,l IT, ',,'',,i 81, r.,
u'mN r. VIZ Ir''~',lil anu nc llvusA' NIr IT,
Turn was signed ~ an.
Q-Dd yon open thu returns I'm secret session. -
So. No We Ad one tuf.r ia rat :. ..iut-t h, wi
ion.maV caiiiti iorsDt tne name II Wa. only ouc
saIer-th- contaminated statement. f'lc whole ont
In who'e handwriting was u"si AIN That OF ue
oWlt snrer,i.ori A-Tho srrcr,i.or oi eetioi,s
Mr. BalchAri-il, moan. ne oon.,iili..l .iauuDii
II. Mi'nr--,-lhat- II, ll,ni WA, mean ""'"
U-Whui ha- locrinc Of that paIc.f Al do not know
nhat YOU mcaN lN uat r,
~ ma, W., H'," Mlm - M LUZ III ,,l a., ,l
snoe ~ tnn s'etr. ~ s.e '''' '''''''' '''" ~
u r.u..,, ,.., tt.,.,,,.l o,r,or,i,.,
- a,r',,, ,r f,, V.t,,.,, ,.,r,-t mi
W ~ = t'''' I, w., = g. a., '' ,l.,i - W
rlh ,i"t ~ 'l" NY i'''' li'' ..' A., ~ -'.-'
plcd Wrlt'n on lii, -iilh' N'- ,h Ni' h'l r
handwriung or wlll b" remembered fiHi Is u'
nrr himself test II ti that ilr wrote tnni NNrl of
he return in '-uunJ The word complied
Indicated thai the r'lutn WIS lns-"d upon.
lob ~ Iaf tfIl rNaH fnI .fI b. N..N iona.