New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-23


said: was Chairman of the Registration Committee
in the campaigns of 1874 and 1876. and have given
great attention the affairs Of my party In 1876 the
political affairs of Louisiana were under the control OF
the Republican party
Mr. Potter-Was there a census taken in 1871 A
Yes. and made careful examination OF the re-
turns An investigation made with regard 10 that
census and the Legislature refused TO base its appor
tionment upon it, 1t sweed the coored vote largely
The witness submitted table of statistics made by
himself which showed the correct figures OF the census
DIN 1876 there revision OF the last reglstra-
tons Ayes.
Q-There necessity Of each citizen being reg
isered afreshl A.-No. sir
Q-Everything was under the control Of the Regis
ters1 Ayes, sir and in almost every instance they
were Republicans.
Q-when did the registration open in 1871 A.-Au-
gust 2s and il closed October %. In 1875 the census
showed population Of $1,000 In 1876 the registrs-
ton OF colored was 10000 There were between
1000 and 5000 whites stricken of the register, OF
which 1900 had just much right to vote as you or
Q--Had the Supervisor of Registration the power to
fix the polling paces9 Ayes, sir; and in some cases
the polling places fixed at inaccessible places, and
often they were only known of the Republi
party.
ON 1876, the law provided thatff there any
intimidation, protest should accompany the returns
A.-Yes-sr; should be attached.
Q-How many parishes were there in the statei A
Fifty-seven.
oCan you say whether in the election of 1876, there
any protest accompanying any OF the returns A
think there one instance
Q-YOu spoke of having obtained copies Of the re-
turns throughout the statef Ave had a thorough
organization in the State We caused duplicates of the
returns TO he to every polling place. And by this
ana other possessed Of an accurate re-
turn Of the State. The main feature Of our campaign
effort to secure the coorcd vote, by the decara-
of all the speakers that c2nvassed the state and
every other that would inspire the confidence OF
the Republican masses There perfect unity in this
matter, throughout the State, took unusual pains
account Of our experiences IN 1872 aud 1874.
Q-Was there any necessity 10 have charge taken OF
the parishes Of East and West FeIicanal Al had
knowledge of ali the parishes received information
that tie Supervisor had abandoned those parishes;
were taken TO the return OF that super
another In his place. had an interview
with Kellogg aud he promised TO have the supervisor re-
turn to that another appointed afterward
the supervisor Mr. Anderson, who said that he had
had trouble with his clerk Mr. Butler. and he also
in impecuuiOus condition he said that he would 20
back If furnished lie SAID that he thought
the policy of the party that the registration in
East FclicaDs be completed. afterward met Mr.. An
and be said all right aud boasted that his
returns were the first in.
Q.-The Returning Board consisted OF four Republi-
cans and one vacancy and application made TO ill
the vacancyf A-Repeatedy, but It was refused.
Q-whar was the course Of the Board with regard 20
ex-parte afidayts9 A-They made 1t rule not TO re
ceve ex-pare adavits but they did receive them In
the interest OF the Republican party. Then they ruled
that they would receive exparte afidayits. They
however, aftcrward refused TO do so.
AN INTERVIEW WITH ANDERSON.
Odd YOU see Anderson the 10Th OF November
Att was Saturday or Sunday. I seated in Mo-
reaus restaurant with Mr.. Guthrie when Mr. Anderson
came in. I spoke with him few minutes and TO the
IN
the condition Of things then IN Louisiana.
Odd you hear HbOu that time that he and his peO-
pie were having trouble about his protest. Ayes,
It a common rumOr. Mr. Anderson told me that 10
signed something when under the influence OF liquor
will state the substance Of my interview with Anderson
Mr. Anderson stated to m that he could place party
possession Of documentary and other evidence that
would clearly prove conspiracy on the pert OF the
Republican party TO throw out what were then called
the FIVE bulldOzed parishes. He finally said that he
would place the evidence in our possession II we would
pay him $1,000 when 1t should be placed in posses
SON. and 81 900 when the election completed We
accepted his proposition and woud have carried out
but for lack Of money. had personal acquaintance
with John Weber; had had only slight previous ac
uuaintance with Anderson. In the interview men
toned be said distinctly that the negroes had Joined
the Democrats very largely aud this the reason
why tie Republicans desired election to be held in
his parish.
Dir. stenger took up the examination at this point
The witness said % had interviews in Washington
about the time OF the WOrmley conference with ether
prominent Republicans than those at the conference
talked with Messrs. wadleigh. Howe, Frye aud West
Secretary Cameron. and others"
Q.-Were any terms agreed upon with any OF these
other than those agreed upon at the conference Alt
was communicated 20 Governor Nichols at H0w-Or
leans that there determination TO exact the cleo
ton OF two Republican State Senators In exchange for
Welding up the state Government 10 Governor Nichols
at IN nj fba
Information could. and submit 1t TO the Governor. |
had no pOwer make bargain in relation 20 the Sena
torship On my arrival Ht Washington, ]. ID. Cameron
then Secretary OF War. pointed out TO me by
Louisiana Representative a gentleman whom IL would
DO wen tor me to communicate With had only
interview with him. In which the method
discussed by which the Nichols government might be
permitted sustain itself In order TO fix the exact
date OF this interview should have refer to letter
now in New-Oreans it was however, between the 9th
and 9th Of February, 1877 aud took place at private
house. Mr. Cameron, believe, was fully impressed
with the conviction that the Nichols government ought
70 prevail louisiana before the question Of ex
acting considerations raised by him or his assO-
cates-I say this in justice 10 him. Representative
Gibson college mate Of Cameron, had been active IN
presenting the state things him. aud through him
to President Grant think 1t is mainly to his repre-
sentatons that there was nOn4nterference by the Ma
tional Government in Louisiana affairs In that inter-
view the practical difficulties in the Louisiana matter
were talked upon such the decreasing OF the
Republican party in the United States Senate and the
complications case the vote Of the State given
to MIR. Hayes.
told Mr.. Cameron. continued the witness. that had
theory on which the State could be gwen to Nichols
even If 1t given TO Hayes that the Returning
Board had power to count tho vote for Governor aud
that each House OF the Legisla
ture the sole judge OF the qualifications Of its
members and the two houses the only body hay-
ing the power TO count the votes Tor state Oulcers
was understood In the Interview with Mr. Cameron that
TO be prepared memorial sustaining this