New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-15

Columbus was IN tne city auIinG bno Oan-
vass of had ali the visiting statesmen on both
sdes The Returning Board had met had not pushed
ia Iabors did not consult with the Republicans gen.
orally before leaving but had talked with the men from
Ohio-Messrs. Stevenson, Sherman and Matthew's
took no letters except from them When spoke yester-
day OF tho situation being desperate referred to the
white peoples had been cheated IN 1872 and In 1874
and believed we should be cheated again in 1876
If they dared do 1t, and the people were
getting desperate; they thought II not worm
while to hold an election. think tho eiectoh
was fair Efforts had been made TO e0neilate tue me-
groes We thought that they meant to DO honest ana
Governor Nichols had said In his letter Of acceptance
that they must be well treated. believed that the
Democrats had carried the State by large majority
full canvass had taken, but william T. Chandler
said that the the North required tnat some
votes should be thrown out We believed That the aeuOh
OF the Returning Board would depend the influence
exerted IL by the visiting statesmen IL was ON TINS
account visited Governor Hayes"
ain the interview with Mr.. Hayes" continued Mr..
Roberts General Comfy present; told him OF the
situation in Louisiana very freely it was Impossible
that he should not have understood that was ON the
Conservative side the conversation proceeded entirely
on that hasis When the President said that he would
do what was right and just, it, to my mind, meant u
great deal meant that officers elected should be
permitted rule, and that the white people should
have Justice done them Iceary endeavored 70 express
the opinion that great opposition would DO made 10 the
that OF the Hayes government. i was endeaYonng TO
find ont what course the President would pursue In
regard 10 the State Government 1t was matter OF
little Importance who in the White House, but the
people could not ard would not submit to the Packard
government took action in regard TO the electoral
count until after Florida and Louisiana were counted
for Hayes then tried induce quiet settlement NJ
the matter In order the state. Iromained in
Washington until after the matter settled"
Mr.. POtter-YOu spoke Of an interview with Senator
COnkng IN which he began addressing you by asking
" what's this between you and Hayes y Ale SAID
that he had in paper that had been to see
Governor Hayes aud that Mr.. Hayes had stated what
his policy toward the South would be II he was elected
President I said that had had an interview with Mr.
Hayes. He asked : d" What about ~ answered very
briefly that here little TO tell; that had seen
the Governor of OHIO, and that he had impressed me as
being very fair ana just man. and mad said that IT he
were President he would bs the President OF all tho
people OF the United States. and not of any parry.
Q.-DO You mean that when Mr. COnkling said he was
opposed 20 it all that opposed to that A-That
was at an interview l had afterward. Our Republican
friends were talking OF concession met Mr.. Conklng
about that time.
Q-Was chat after the Electoral Commission was being
talked abOut9 Alt was after 1t was being talked
about bat before 1t was formed. He said; e am OPP
posed TO all ths of thing We have either elected
President or we have not. II we have elected him. be
should be able to get without any compromises II he
is not elected, he should not GET IN at ALL"
Odd you have any conversation with any OF tho
gentlemen WIND composed the Electoral Commission
A-No; not after formed. might perhaps have
talked before with Of them; did, believe, with
Mr.. Tucker, and possibly some others.
The witness continued was In Hew-Orleans when
the Packard government went 10 pieces; the troops
were withdrawn in April, 1877 but the Packard govern
ment had already gone out 1t was generally under
stood by us that the object Of the Commission which
doyv IN int 20
Packard government easy; to settle some technical
question about the Legislatures SO far as our peope
are concerned found fault with the action Of
this Commission or with tho OF the President;
We thought he had acted with fairness and justice.
JOHN e. LETS POLITICAL CAREER.
Colonel Roberts was dismissed for tmc and John f.
Leet called HIS examination was conducted by Mr.
Potter.
He sad I am writer for The Her orleans Times,
and have resided in Louisiana since 1870 came there
in search Of employment, but owing to my previous
connection with the Union army was unable to find
work This made mad and 1t occurred to me to turn
my attention TO politics.
Mr. Potter-Did you into politics because OF thati
A-NO It had a tendency put in that frame OF
mind. / first went 20 schOOlteaching In Vermilhon
Parish afterward to NewOrleans to see If could
organize a puolie school system, and went back and
taught public school bought out Democratic news
paper which edited while taught school. l Incurred
the hostility Of Of tie local politicians and one al
tempted to budOze me. had a serious difficulty with
one man. he s dead VIII say no more about
that matter. went TO NewOroans in the Fall Of 1871
and was gwen position in the Custom House by Casey
Warmoth was then Governor. 1 hardly know what my
position was ; was detailed by the Collector TO wnte
editorials The National Republican, the Grant organ
II Is now dead, having served It's purpose Alter the
election Of 1872 engaged IN compiling evidence In
favor OF the Republican party, making as much as pos
sible out Of the material hadprepar1ng stuff for the
Returning Board to swear 10. was Intimate with KEEL
logg; he promised TO give one OF the best offices
under his control but he forced by the Returning
Board to give away all the best places.
Q-what did you DO for a pOsitioni Al got Mr.
Darrell friend OF mne 10 pick out the best place that
was not traded of. finally secured the position of
Harbor Master My duties were not arduous there
we're five of us, aud the other four did all the work.
spent of my time in consultation with Kellogg ad-
yising him about affairs In general and giving him what
assistance could. Ny position brought me $4,000
year. but It entirely sinecure. held that ONCE
Tor three years, and continued my intimate relations
with Governor Kellogg; but after lost my position
lost confidence in Kellogg considered that lost 1t
through lack Of proper influence on his part After
this purse was made up for me which amounted TO
about $3.50 month. This given me by Kellogg and
the Police Board, 10 prevent me from making fuss
over my removal from Office. The next office received
was OF Tax Collector never neld 1t but traded 1t
of to a condition that he should secure me
fiat nominated packard IN 1876. Kellogg sent me,
thinking that he might TO spring Williamson
on the convention. He charges with having spoiled
mis- game He pretended % support Packard, but ala
not intend TO have him nominated. supported War
moth, and stuck TO nn. made the acquaintance OF
Mr. Nash IN 1874; clicked OF from being member
OF Congress order TO make room for him. supported
him and the OF the Republican ucket.
OVERTHROW or THE PACKARD GOVERNMENT.
! Colonel Roberts recalled and was examined by
General Butler in regard TO the MaeVeaRh Commission.
The witness said that the question having deter
mined that the Packard Government should 10 OUT how
1 .fngN
sOn thought that II the Secretary OF State m
strured the commission, and IL was approved by the
/ Hoh he Re Louisiana would under