The Portland daily press., 1877-02-02
LOUISIANA.
The Tale which Tweed's LaWyeI
Hatched.
Maddox Plays His Part i'm the
Conspiracy.

WASHINGTON, Feb 1.-The committee on
powers privileges and duties of the House re-
called Maddox. Field asked him whether he
was now prepared to answer questions pro
pounded yesterday, when he caused to be read
an explanation of his refusal. 1t says it was
because of his Discrimination to commit a
breach of faith. He had asked for delay in Or
der that Gov. Wells might make full state
ment, but as Wells had not done so witness was
now ready to answer. Witness said that the
night before Wells wrote the letter to him he
had conversation with Wells with regard to
the political situation and difficulties with the
Returning Board. Gov. Wells proposed that
witness should 60 to Washington and explain
the situation. He concluded he would write a
general letter to witness as confidential and he
also wrote another letter to friend of his in
Washington. When witness arrived at Wells
office the next morning one of the letters was
finished and he was writing the other Wit
ness brought away the letter to him, but it
had never been delivered. Gov. Wells said his
life was in danger as he had a very difficult
job on hand and that he did not see how he
could get through with it. Wells stated that
he would like to serve his party in making re-
turn in favor OF Hayes, but he would not take
the risk unless he was paid for it. Wells said
the majority, was very heavy and too much for
him to handle and that he did not know where
to commence to throw out. The other was
sealed The letter was addressed to Senator
West, Washington. to see influential men and
obtain protection for him, and also to see
whether he could not get the required money to
satisfy him. Wells said he ought to have one
million dollars.
Witness showed to the President and Secre-
tary Cameron the two letters addressed to him
by Wells. He told the Secretary that Wells
wanted money, but the Secretary declined to
have anything to do with the matter. The
money Wells required was to protect him. The
programme was that the vacancy on the Re-
turning Board should be filled, and that Wells
should resign on that account. Witness did
not know there was any special arrangement
between him and Wells about the Details but
witness was required to submit plan which
would be acceptable.
witness having been Intercepted relative to
the telegram sent to Gov West under the as
sumed name of E. w. Calvert said it was an.
derstood between him and Wells, that if the
representatives at Washington failed to bring
the money then witness was to use his own
judgment in negotiation to give the returns
as they were made in New Orleans and that
he should commence second negotiation. The
world Hold in the telegram to Gov. Wells
signihed that he was to hold returns in such a
situation as to make them available at will.
The first negotiation failed and Gov. Wells
stated to witness that he wanted for himself
and Gen. Anderson at least 100000 a piece
and smaller sum for the darkies or negroes of
the Returning Board.
When witness returned to New Orleans he
had conversation with Wells about the failure
of the negotiation. Witness received dis
patch from Col. Pickett saying the negotiation
had failed. When Wells suggested that wit
ness endeavor to make some arrangement with
the Democrats, witness made an effort in that
direction, but did not succeed.
On cross examination witness said in his in,
terview with Cameron he told the latter Wells
wanted million dollars The Secretary de-
cired to have anything to do with the PROPOSE
ton. Witness said he had no conversation
n o>f
the state
Jeremiah M. Wilson, counsel for the Return
ing Board, said he desired that Gov. Wells 6 nd
Gen. Anderson should be examined on the
matter, to which witness had testified
Committee then adjourned to attend to du-
ties in the House, and will meet again to-mor-
row morning.
MOrrizsey Says he didn't Express any Will
Hngness TO Purchase.
NEW York, Feb. IAN Albany special to
the Brooklyn Argus says John Morrssey con-
firms the testimony of Pickett that the latter
came to see him about buying Louisiana, but
Morrissey says he did not express any willing
ness to purchase.