The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1877-02-24

| he did not ask for the same facilities
as were given to the other side, | fur
nished him with all he asked for. The
tabnlated statement THAT was shown
to the Republican visitors showed Il
large Democratic majority, but it did
not include all the returns. | cert
fed to l75 votes for the Republicans
from Vernon parish, having full con-
hdence in the clerks. At that time |
knew nothing a6out the t1Hnsposition
of the votes. The copy that Little
field made I put on file. There was
no statement made that the original
had been destroyed or lost, but the
paper purpoted to be correct copy
of the original. / saw the copy last
about Jan. J, when gave tie Honse
Committee a copy. 1t was certified
as a correct copy Of the statement on
tile III tile Office. Litt|eGcld was still
on the board when told him to make
copy Of the Vernon return, but he
left few days after. Littleficld told
me to say nothing about it but 1 told
the board the next morning.
To Senator San}sbnry-1'hc chan:
ges in the Vernon returns we've made
on Dec. Is. did not say to the Sen
ate Committee that the Vernon re
turn as it was copied from hlotter.
To Senator Wa'Aeigh-I didn't kno"
Of any changes until so informed by
Lttletield. The compiling Of returns
in the office WAS done by the clerks
calling them oft from one another
aud Littlc'ielh or any other clerk
could fa|sify returns by calling of
false ttgugcs.
Judge Davis, chief clerk of the Re
turning Board, was next examined by
Senator WadIeiSh. He testified:
I did not SEE Littlefield talking
with Gov. Wells about making eras-
ures. l first heard of the change III
the returns when read it i'll the Jews
papers. investigated tile papers
and saw that the Vernon return haG
been changed. ! conld not find thu
original. Littlefcld said first it wa.
gone, then lost, and afterward d.
stroyed. I reported the fact to Abel
The clerks were ordered to complete
the papers in the office: l furnished
all the data for the required cop!
that could find in the office. Little
field said they agreed with the origin
al. Litt!etie|d made the copy tha
was filed with the other returns
Generally Littlefeld called off thu
figures to be copied, and, if he 81
desired. he could talsify tile returns
There was no opportunity for re
viewing the work. The change o
votes in polls 2 aud 9 would affect
NO candidates: The papers purpotin
to be the commissioners stat 'ment
were not regarded rs authentic, a
they had been received by the Secre
tary of State from strangers. III TIL
data furnished do not rememhc
? whether anything WAS wanting il
, polls 2 aud 8. Littlttield said tn
Commissioners report and the con
. solidated statement, with the excep
, ton Of two votes, agreed.
' 70 Senator Saulsbury-1 did nc
$ compare them. The two votes tina
were wanting were not put in, b,i
were rejected. first made iliqnirie
: about the Vernon return when rea
8 about the false l76 Republican votes
= Littlefisld did not say the papers hat
been destroyed by instructions. NJ
e duties as cllicf clerk were t" super
9 wise the work of the clerks. Isnper
y yised the tabulation of the ,eturn
!. and assisted In footing up the column
J. OH the last day cf the canvass.
looked the work over, as far as pos
d sible to verify it. The canvass wa
d made up from the supervisors return
u after comparison aud verifcatio
j. with the reports Of tile commissioner
e and tile tally sheets. The canvas
!, and compilation in. Vernon paris
|. were made from the supervisors r.
J. turns alone, because there was notf
~ Ing else that was authentic to vent
70 by. The consolidated return of We
to non parish, remember, was receive
T. from the mail carrier, although II
i same was directed to the Secetart
State, The attjdavits IN the Verne
in parish case I know were never n
70 ceived with the returns. | 90 N
/ know how those affidavits came t''tlt
i they we're there in a pigeon hole b.
of fore the vote was promulgated.
r. far as l know, no one had anything
az do with the alteration Of the Verne
y return but Littlefeld.
&c 5. J. NJ. A. Je~ett, a United Stat
~ Commissioner III New Orleans, Vi
n the next witness. He testified
re- | took the at1idavits of four persd'
AZ in relation to Vernon parish on II
AZ l4th and 10Th of November. II
c. parties to them appeared and TOT
~ the customary oath before the, aft
es they were made, as Secretary of Il
n Executive Committee. There was ;
III understanding that the person taki'
E: the first testimony of parish shou
ID finish it,. and on Nov. ~ these affid
I Wits were forwarded to the board
r.; a messenger named joe. l saw I
n. messenger inside the door Of &
Ell board room. 49,, -.
ID TO Mr.. Saulsbury.-1. did not pc
:, sonally know either Of the partl
n, making tile afidavits. There was
,e arrangement with several gentfem'
". to assist n,ein taking testimony I
o, tile Republicans. l don't kMo
W whether those parties resided il VI
r. non. They appeared. to be illitera
~ persons, and three of them were G.
yee ored men. Their names were TT
ed Brown, Samuel, Carter, Samuel c.
no Inns, and Robert Strong. joe, t
At messenger, sent with. the afi'lavits
y the Returning Board was n!essen@