American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1878-08-03

Additional evidence was taken up to the
23rd, from various colored men who had
made affidavits before the Returning Board,
showing that the affidavits were not read to
them before being signed and they had no
knowledge of their contents, many of the
statements contained therein being now
nesses testified before the Howe Committee
| as to intimidation. and now recanted their
an attorney, testified that he drew
up the most of the affidavits in question, and
to him orally by the parties who signed them
4 number of prominent Democrats of West
induce colored men to vote the Democratic
ticket, and said that the election was peace
able and quiet A letter was read from
membered as the door keeper of Gov. KeI-
logg's private office, dated Lake Provf-
mittee. in which he states that the
names of Joffroin and Levisse on the second
set of Electoral certificates were forged, and
offering. If summoned before the committee,
to point out the party who committed the
forgery. Evidence was taken showing that
an effort had been made to secure Kelly's at
tendance before the committee, but that he
had since left the country in company with
OF the United States Senate.
the last heard of them being at
to accede to the request of Mr.. Sherman that
certain witnesses named be subppnaed to
testify test in regard to intimidation. and so mott
declining at present to call the witnesses. in
asmuch as the Committee had SO long delay
ed to pass upon the application that another
line OF procedure had been adopted.
Evidence taken by the sub Committee on
the 24th and 25th, was follows Thos. Ii.
Nolan testified that in 1876 he assisted in the
preparation of affidavits in the Custom
house; in preparing affidavits made them as
strong possible; always endeavored to
make fair statement of the testimony of
witnesses, but Instead of making wit
ness say he had " heard" we made him say
he knew" of the allegation made; found
very few who had personal knowledge of oc-
currences related; three or four witnesses
were sworn together; never took any pains
were generally told the affidavits would new
Republican circles that the State had gone
Democratic. and they must by affidayits and
Board to throw out polls enough to
reverse the result. Messrs. Hale, Slough
We're shf n the Toom
where the affidavits were being made.....
Major f. 4. Burke testified at length regard
ing his mission to Washington in the interests
of the Nichols State Government. He was
instructed by Gov. Nichols to represent to
the President the true state of affairs in Lou
isiana, and to confer and act with the Demo-
cratic managers He produced a large mass
of kilograms, letters, etc, which relate to af
fairs there pending, among them notes pass
ing between him and Stanley Matthews in
Government Thes worm,e sc Cons
ference was held on Feb. 26, at the sugges-
ton of witness. There were present at this
ter, Sherman. George Carter, Levy, Ellis and
witness; and as there was no person actively
representing South Carolina, they invited
Mr.. WattersOn of Kentucky to be present
in the interests of that State. The con-
dition of affairs in Louisiana thor
oughly discussed and the Louisiana
representatives read statement of
hand most positive assurances were given by
Matthews, Sherman, Garfield and Foster,
that, although they were not authorized to
speak for Gov. Hayes, the latter would
carry out the policy indicated by Gen. Grant,
of Federal non-interfcrence. The witness
here recited the interview that TRANSFERRED
between Mr.. Hewitt and himself Immediately
Democratic party had determined that the
count should go on to peaceful solution. Wit
ness arraigned Hewitt for his abandonment
of Louisiana, it being well known that the
Louisiana members desired the House to
hold out until satisfactory assurances were
given of Federal non interference. NOtwith-
standing the action of the caucus, the fill
busters continued to hold out and increase
in numbers, until they numbered 1l6, which
was sufficient to deter the count from further
proceeding. 1t was at this time that Mr..
Sherman sent for witness and these confer
ences were held which resulted in the
completion of the count. Hon. +. John
Ellis testified regarding the Wornley Confer
ence, and stated emphatically that there was
no bargain; that the ceasing to filibuster was
not insisted upon by Republicans who were
at the conference. The object of the Repub-
Hcans seemed to be to remove all anxiety in
regard to the course Hayes would pursue to-
wards South Carolina and Louisiana. 49,. The
sub Committee adjourned, subject to the call
of Chairman, and members left New Orleans
the same night.