The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-06
RETURNING BOARD INFAMY.
TESTIMONY CONCERNING TIE ALTER4-
TONS AND FORGERIEs.
+. w. stoughton and Eugene Hale CIoseted -
the Secret session Of the Board In which
TiIden'. Majority wns Given to Hayes.

New ORLEANS, Feb. 5.-Mr. Harris, for
mer Secretary to Gov. Palmers visiting COM
mtee. gave me some additional particulars
concerning the Returning Board prosecution
which have been denied the press. and which.
in the present trial, the Attorney General had
no need of producing The truth was that tho
notorious minute clerk. Green. the most trusted
rascal in the employ Of Wells & Co.. was anxious
to retire from the whole business for pecuniary
compensation sufficient to set him free OF poll
tics. He sent word to Gov. Palmer that ho
would furnish full account of the Returning
Boards secret acts for 500 cash. This was re-
fused him. and steps we're taken to make him
unbosom himself before Morrson's Committee.
There. like all others. his case was most miser-
ably msmanaged. and Green was absolutely
frightened back into secrecy rather than lured
on to make his revelations.
Positive information. which would be consid-
cred responsible by the United States Supreme
Court. is 10 the effect that L. W. Stoughton and
Eugene Hale were the noted members OF the
Hayes visiting committee who were closeted
In the secret session uf the board Immediately
prior to the nrommlgation of the electoral vote
Tor Dec. 3, 1876. They wore smu2eled into tho
room Of the Returning Board clerks. and were
present when the obiterations, alterations. and
iorgeries were effected which. before Dec. 6.
bad changed Iilten's majority OF 1000 to n
Hayes majority OF 1000. This fact and others
of like import. already mentioned in these de-
spaches. will be brought out in the three great
trinls which will succeed Anderson's Littls-
fieli the notorious has been sent for and will
b. here for the trial Of Wells. Only n small part
Of b. yillainy has been so far exposed.
The State produced no more witnesses in re-
buital to-day and rested its case. whereupon tho
argument commenced. Assistant Attorney
General Egan led for the prosecution in mas
terly speech oftwo hours duration, wherein the
frauds Of the krt9rning Board were depicted
from tS the Tf II 6 xqny y
the lowest oiil'e of the New Orleans Custom
House. An overwhelming summary Of tho
evidence was produced, and every glaring
fraud and forgery pointed out which had
thwarted the viii Of our people. District Attor-
showing the crime which had been committed.
the terrible dangers with which i had throat
ened the American people. and thanked God
that the time had come when in our State JUS
tice could arralSn such criminals before the
bar OF her courts. The morning session was
pleading by John Ray. who had been present as
adv sory counsel AZ the secret sessions OF the
board. and who tac!tly acknowledged the forg-
cry IN the Vernon returns. He argued that the
consO lldated stat ament was not "A public docu-
mont; therefore Anderson was not guilty OF
- Al the night session Judge Culum and Mr..
CnsteUanos vii continue for the defence Attor-
n,y-Gencral Ogden VIII conclude for the Suite.
anl then the case Will be- given 70 the Jury.
| 10 p M-At the evening session Of the Su-
peror Criminal Court, Judge L. North Cul' ON
! OF the deluncr. began his argument. HIS main
! point, Were that the board occupied a judicial
| position. They discovered thai n certain num-
| Der Of votos came under the provisions of n
| legal elimination. and they eliminated them:
| thut the consolidated statements of the Vernon
| Nol. WAS not public document. and the actions
| Of the board in this document we're not 10 be
| cons dered as 4 violation of law. &c. The argu-
ments OF the defence seem solely addressed to
| the race DISTINCTIONS II the Jury. apparently
| with the hope Of getting a mls-triul. The even
ing ssss ion ended with Judge Cullom's argu-
ment Tomorrow Mr.. Gust tellanos will con-
! tnue for the defence. and Attorney General
| WAS literally lammed toni sht in tho main build
| in. and every adjunct chamber was crowded
| Extraordinary oratOrical displays are expected
| tomorrow, wncn the jury, after being charged
| VIII consider the ease. Litt.eield arrived to-
! be produced as a witness against Wells Wells
has given no bonds as yet. and still remains in
| prison