The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-07-31
The New Orleans Branch.

NEW ORLEANS, July 24.-Before the Potter
subcommittee to-day Judge Vim. r. Whit
aker and John Dooglas testified regarding
the signature on the second set OF electoral
certificates that in two cases the name of
Joseph was written PRIOR to that of Sheldon,
and in one case the name OF Sheldon was
written prior to that of Joseph. They also
testified as to the signature of Thos. 5. Kelly
on the letter received by the committee
from Lake Providence.
Judge Homaher testified: Left New Or
leans for Donaldsonville December q, leav-
ing Judge Morris Marks in New Orleans.
This testimony was introduced to show that
Marks was in this city on the day
that the second set of electoral GER
tificates were signed.
Thomas III. Nolan testified: In 1876
assisted in the preparation of the atfi-
davits in the custom house, and was in
Eberville during the election. Adm
brought the tickeIs up there. The names of
five electors had been left of. He said 1t
made no difference, as they were for the
state at large. Talked to Kellogg, Packard
and Dibble about it three or four days after
the election. They said we would lose the
state by it. One or two parishes on Red
river were in the same fix. Judge Hugh j.
Campbell said the returning board would
have to throw out democratic votes enough
to equalize that action. In preparing the
affidavits made them as strong as possible.
Always endeavored to make a fair statement
Of the testimony of witnesses,
but would, instead OF making the witness
say he had heard" we made him say ''he
knew" of the allegations made. Found very
few who had personal knowledge of the oc-
'curences related. We all, somehow, fell
into the same "rut'' in drawing up the Aft
dayits. Was introduced to Messrs. Hale,
Stoughton and Garfield. They were in the
room where the affidavIts were being made.
They seemed to be interested in the work
going on. They kept copies of the affidavits.
Saw Mr.. Garfield nearly every morning.
Saw Mr.. Sherman in Mr.. Cockrells Office.
Mr.. Stoughton was up IN the surveyors
office, where he was supervising the
taking Of affidavits for the Red river
parishes. Three or four witnesses
were sworn together. l never took any
pains to read over the affidavits to the wit
nesses They were generally told the aft
davits would never be published. 1t was the
understanding in republican circles that the
state had gone democratic and they must by
affidavits and protests make case for the
returning board to throw out poles enough
TO reverse the result
Wesley Jackson, colored, to Mr.. Stenger-
Lived in Bayou Sara during the last cleo
JOlhCN bhC OdEN LIN OAuO tbV AAiC All
stance of Gilbert Carter. He was pres.
ident. Didn't know until after the
second meeting what the objects
of meeting were. Then Gilbert
Carter told me they wanted to kill certain
white folks After that l didn't attend any
more meetings. The club lasted about two
weeks When Gilbert Carter was killed
most of us left the parish.
To Governor Cox-Gilbert Carter came to
my house and asked me TO join the club.
Nobody but Gilbert Carter told me what the
club was. The witness gave the names of
number OF members of the club, ard con-
tinued: Carter said the white folks had
club and bulldozed US, and let us get up
club and bulIdoze them. l saw white men
riding in the road but they never pestered
ne
Judge Kennard testified, giving an account
of the organization OF the democrats in Fee
iciana for the last campaign. Organized
eolored clubs and addressed meetings. The
organization OF the regulators ante-dated the
campaign or the political organization. The
object was to prevent stealing. The best cit
liens took part in the organization of the
regulators, composed mostly of young men.
The organization led to excuses, and for this
reason was disbanded. The acts of the regu-
lators were, of course, outside of law.