Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-02-22
Gov. Wells Letter.
The PERSECUTION OF THE LOUISIANA RE-
TURNING BOARD.

HE PERSECUTION OF THE LOUISIANA RE-
TURNING BOARD.
New ORLEANS, Monday Feb Is, 1873.
The peculiar petition in which | have been
placed by the enemies Of the republican party
aud the inveierate trait r. to the Union in the
State Of Louisiana mus, be pleaded AS my excuse
for addressing you. As the vicst calamnies, nm
supported by particle # sufficient e idence, have
been scattered broadcast over the whole couptly.
deem il duty to myself my late as. ociates. an /
to the great party to which belong to send af er
these calumnies such aotiiote as few feet, in the
personal history Of the chief cons pirator. and heir
tools can supply.
When II i. known tat Eve successive Grad Ju-
ries have firmly refused to fad a true bill against
me at the high behest Of the Attorney General
and the prosecution against me and MY associate,
Is based upon information. some pubic inter. st
will attach to the personal character Of the in
former. The Genital figure in thi, conspiracy is
that most supe tool OF the traitors of Louisiana.
Judge VIM. r. Whitaker. lie conspired to de-
fraud tue government Of the United ates Of
100000 with which he was iatru sted as Assistant
Treasurer, succeeded in the conspiracy. aud stands
indicted for the flony. On the l7th day of April.
1871, nolle pro.equi was entered 10 the ca.e.
The celebrated declaration IF the Nichol, govern
ment was made about the same tme--he declar.
larstien that IT was the purpose Of that govern
ment TO allay anxiety and discouutenance all a.
tempts, from what ever source, to prosecute per-
sons for political otlcnses. Judge Whitaker has
conducted himself in the late trial OF Gen. Amber
SOB As though be had undert tken a contract wi
tha hat tic Il ti.atr
receive bis reward f1ll rehabilitation iuto their
society. lie stated 10 several PEI sons and to law
yers Of high standing before the IT. al Of Gen.
Anderson. that the jury was sacked for the pur
pose Of his conviction He stated further tnst no
motion having for ITS object the removal of the
cause from hi. jurisdiction would have his sarc.
ton; that ali motions for that object would be
overruled. Judge Whitaker was elevated from
the criminal dock to do the dirty work OF the par
~ that is now controlling him. Nine Of the ia
rors 10 the Anderson al swore that they were
prejadiced e. ,inst tho prisoner, yet they were
made TO serve. Two Of them mad declared.open.
ly that Anderson ought TO be hanged During
the greater part of the t ial Judge Whitaker was
10 beastly state Of iutpxi,a'ion.
Attorney General O den is an Elder in the
Acrn9 'fltah thhltus lie, 700, aware nat
the jury was packed, AMI deI and a. i,t,d r. the
neiaiioo- seheiae by which the packing Was ac-
compisded. lie sad be Intended to force he
trial because be had Bis imy lreua.ed for co, VIC
tiop; that lie KEPT concealed ia hl- room Lille
field, TO preyeu his testimony be- NJ taken n A.
dersons trial. This Attorney General i. whnl'v
unreliable. As sworn officer he ha- speculst-,,
upon the collection Of taxes. lie altsmp ed 10
force the Grand jury lasi summer to fad bun. f
indictment against The Returnng Board Hrhp.
pesred before the Grand Juiy, insuliei witne,.e.
and threatened hem with incarceration If thew
refused 20 swear exactly what he d sired. Fau
Jog TO procure such evidence fro n the witnesses
As he wanted he accompanied the Jude Il. 20 o
The Grand Jury, aud had ban the judge TO rep
rimand the witnesses aud thrsa en- them with IN
carcefatiJn II they did not give such testimony as
was required By him. The Judge ATTEMPTED To
force the Grand Jury 10 fod a true BILL to salts v
the wants and wishes OF the At orney General
against the Returning Board but hndiny all their
eStysofdinsry sfiors futile, they we've compel ed
10 "a back ION the alternative mcde Of nfor-
nstion.
Assistant Attorney General Esgan is worthy
an piable tool In the haeds of the Attorney