The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-02-19

Mr.. DUNCAN s. KENNER Ia an influential
citizen of Louisiana, and has long been known
there. not IA an active politician. but as a
wealthy planter and gentleman Of important
social connections. His character and standing
are such that his word liz beyond question. Mr.
kENNER testified ON Saturday before Con-
gressional Committee. about the negotiations
between himself and J. MADISON WELLS. the
head of the Louisiana Returning Board. These
negotiations. which were entered upon about
ten days after the election in November. wero
described by Mr.. KENNEH in his testimony in
the following language:
Gov WILLS said that he partisan, and could not
break with his party without great personal sacrifice
he poor WEISS alluson to his poverty led
to suppose that he alluded the loss OF his Office and
| asked him what office Gov PACKARD could oncr that
would compensate him for the hatred OF his people.
WELLS replied that he did not for Office that he
too old to hold Office and that the tenure OF occ was too
insecure anyhow but that any compensation he might
receive for his must enable him TO retire to his
plantation In Rapidcs parish said that KELLOGG and
PACKARD would ofcr him anything but WELLS replied
that this wasa biz thingtho biggest thing he han
died promises would not answer this time, he was de-
ermincd to make II tell Wells admitted that II was
great deal easier TO count In NIcHolLs than PACKARD
urged WILLS to amount which would compcn.
him, and said that the gratitude OF the people of
Louisiana must certainly compensate him for loss he
might experience at the hands OF his party WELLS
fused to name sum, saying that he must frst consult
with one, aud, upon being pressed TO state with
whom he proposed to consult mentioned Tos ANDERSON
Some six or seven days later met WELLS CALVERT,
and ANDERSON the steps OF the city Hotel WELLS
drew bundle OF letters from his pocket assorted them.
aud passed TO me, saying This is for YOU The let
ter had supcrscripon and no signature, and the sub
stance oft was have not heard from you What does
1t meanr | went down the hotel steps crossed the
anH ,eo,,tt T.arn akaIfn
piece Of paper and a WELLS telling him TO
meet me In a certain room In the City Hotel sent
this note 10 WELLS who at dinner at the city Hotel
do not know what did with the note that WELLS
handed me. The meeting took place. and WELLS said
he doubted whether he could do anything because
ANprRsoN doubted my ability to raise large enough
amount of money asked how much ANDERSON wanted
AMI WELLS replied half million said that this was
perfectly rdculou that did not want them to do any
thing wrong and that sdcmand was insisted upon they
might as well drop the natter WELLS then said, Wait
few DAYS About Nov. ~ another meeting took place,
and WELLS asked what expected him to do replied
that all that wanted was fair count OF all the
wfLts answered that he couid not do that
that he must throw out Parishes but that he could
leave enough votes In to elect NICHOLS lie said he would
do that If would place in his hands 10000 In green
backs Ircplicd that had not the money This ended
the interview and did not WILLS again until after
the pronunciation Of the vote. Some four i've days
after the pronunciation met WELLS and some other
tcnen at Red river steamboat landing and asked WELLS
whether he was going honc Wells replied that he was
going the following week In talking my self and WILLS
differed ~ opinion. and expressed asonishmcnt and
rret at WkLlss course. WELLS turned. and looking me
ful In the face. said. what could dor You had
money said hoped that wELIs had not trusted any
promises from KELLOGG or PACKARD. but had made him
self 10 which WELLS replied. You bet words to
that efvetn
This agrees perfectly with the statement made
10y our contemporary. the World. some time
since according TO which. in addition to tho
sum received for decaDng PACKARD elected.
WELLS and his associates were paid $500 900
favor Of HAYES.