The daily gazette., 1878-07-18
The Electoral Fraud Inyesti-
CATION I'm New Orleans,

b New ORLEANS, July 17.-Before the
Potter subcommittee to-day several wit
nesses We're introduced to prove the bad
character of Hiram Smedley, who testi-
he'd few days ago that he had seen
Joseph w. Jones sign Weber's name
to the Anderson Weber agreement; that
no one else was present and Jones is now
dead.
Ex-District Attorney Beckwith testified
that he had refused Smedley as Juror on
an important case, because he did not
think he should betrusted in such posi-
ton.
3 Several witnesses testified they would
not believe Smedley on oath, and to his
general bad character.
w. H. Seymour, notary public, contra
dicted the statement made by Smedley
in his testimony, few days ago, that he
(Smedley) had told witness the turat to
the AndeisOn-Webera agreement was false
said he never had any conversation with
Smedley.
John ). Dula, colored, OF West Felici-
ana, testified that he was parish Judge in
1876; was invited to resign, but did net !;
made affidavit before the returning board
charging intimidation, violence and mur-
der; made the statements on information
received from others. Cross examination
| by Gov. Cox brought out the statement
from Dula that he had been daily in the
company of E. l.. Weber for the past
week; that Weber had offered witness
500 and the promise of position in a
public school as teacher if witness would
follow his (Weber's) example, recant his
affidavit before the returning board and
deny intimidation in the parish. Weber
said he was all right now that he had
made arrangements with those who OPP
posed him, and though the would now
be safe anywhere, had acted wisely, and
advised witness to do the same thing and
place himself right before the people OF
the parish and State. Witness promised
Weber he would follow his example, but
his conscience would not allow him to dc
so. Witness believed Armistead and
4 Duncan who testified Yesterday, had beer
paid by Weber; understood money was
put up by a gentleman from New York
three or four weeks ago. Dula had been
promised place in the custom house.
Witness received $40 from Weber yester-
day and SD to-day: was to receive the
balance after testifying: said this was the
only bribery case he had ever had any
thing to do with; thinks it doubtful il
colored men can trust themselves when
there is money at stake.
S. ii. St. Martin, of st. James parish,
who was appointed deputy sergeant-at-
arms of this subcommittee on the recon-
mendation of L. l.. Weber, testified that
he was present in Weber's room when
the interview mentioned by Dula took
place. Weber and | room together: we
are very intimate. When Dula first
came Weber was not in. Dula and |
talked of Webers testimony, ana Dula
said he believed there was money in it:
said Swasey would 90 along with them.
but he wanted $1,000. Dula said if he
could get 81, 800 he could manage Swascy,
Dula giving witness to understand that
he was going with Weber on the same
line of testimony. Never heard Weber
offer Dula any money, but Weber borrow
ed $40 of witness yesterday and S35 to-
day, which was paid to Dula by Weber
Dula remarking he did not receive it as a
bribe, but as loan.
E. l.. Weber recalled.-Heard the tes
timony of Dula to-day. His statement
that | intended to bribe him is false
Admitted loaning Dula the money a.
stated by st. Martin. Testimony wa,
introduced to show that Seymour, the
notary, and l.. b. jerks were acquant
ances.