The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-08-29

ny tHe DeuocIdts W pIefeub lAtlmludtioH.
of votes all came on the Re- |
publican side.
@. What was the course of the board in |
regard to ex parte atidavits? A. They |
first decided not to receive any such, but |
changed their opinion and re-
ceived e1 parte afhdavits from the Repub- |
lican side of the house and then again when |
the Democratic affidavits were sent in, they
changed their ruling again, and refused to
receive them. 1t was the 23d of November
before we had any opportunity to receive
protests. When we handed in large bodies
OF ex parte affidavits the board refused TO
receive them, and said witnesses should
be present, and on producing large num-
ber of witnesses, the board only examined
a few of them. This put the Demo Gratis
TO great trouble, owing to the distance OF
some of the parishes. The total vote of the
State of Louisiana in 1876, was 161, JAG, or
nearly ninety per cent. of the registered
voting population. He saw Anderson on
Sunday morning, in restaurant. Wit
ness was il company with Mr.. Guthro,
and at the other side of the restaurant
Mr.. Sherman and Mr.. Stoughton were
sitting. Witness spoke to Anderson
for a moment, but did not see Ander-
son speaking to Sherman or Stoughton.
Anderson told witness that ne had
signed something in the nature of
protest, but that he was under the influence
of liquor when he signed it, and could prove
that Anderson told him that in considera-
ton for what he had done for the Republi-
can party, they had promised him the naval
office. In an interview with Anderson
about the 10th of November, he stated to
witness that he was in possession of docu-
mentary and other evidence that would
prove a conspiracy by the Republican
parishes of East Feliciana, Wachita, Moore
house, Richland, and East Baton Rouge.
He further said he could secure US the
parish of East Feliciana, but that he was
poor, and if he did so would probably be
thrown into prison on trumped up charges.
He agreed, if We paid him four thousand
dollars then, and one thousand dollars after
the count was declared, to recall his protest.
His proposition was considered and ac-
cepted, as we didn't think there was any
wrong in procuring evidence to show Re-
publican frauds and rascality. The propo-
sition would have been carried out but
for the fact that we had no money.
In answer to a question by Mr.. Stronger,
the witness said he had interviews with
many other Republicans regarding Louis
lana matters, besides those mentioned
them were Wadleigh, Howe, Frye, West
Cameron, and several others. Wi ness
continuing: 1t was also communicated
to Governor Nichols that there was de-
termina ion to exact two Republican United
States Senator's from the Nichols Leg
islature in consideration for the yielding up
of the State. This was what chiefly brought
him to Washington. 1t was learned that
leading Republicans elise to the admins
tration in power came to the conclusion
that bayonet rule could not be maintained
in Louisiana, and that they were willing to
abandon Packard if they could strengthen
| their power in the United States Senate.
| These facts were communicated to witness
on his arrival in Washington.
w. E. Horwe was next examined, but de-
| clined to answer questions to his confer
ences with Governor Young and Hayes, be-
cause he had acted in the capacity of legal
adviser. A dispatch, by agreement, was
finally sent to Governor Young, asking him
to release the witness from his professional
| objections of secrecy.
j. R. Alcee Gran threaux, of New Orleans
who had charge of the Registration Bureau
in 1874, was called on August "a, and
| testified that his Bureau ascertained
that the number of fraudulent regis
trations in New Orleans amounted to
thirteen thousand, and affidavits had beer
made against nine thousand four hundred
| Witness said that many of the Republican
Supervisors of Elections and Registers wer,
non-residents, fugitives from justice, ane
in several eases were under Indictment
| Witness said he had 8 conversation will
Judge Dibble, who made the remark that h
and Burke were foolish to work for tn
Democracy, for if they had majority o
twenty thousand they would be counted
out by the Returning Board.
Witness referred to a circular, by whicl
he said the Republicans made their registra
ton lists, and said when Major Burke an
himself protested to the Returning Boar
against this fraud, they were laughed at. Ell
then gave the names of large number @
those who manipulated the late election, a.
of whom now hold Federal offices, includin
j. Madison Wells and Thomas c. Anderson
Witness admitted that he belonged to tn
organ zation known as the White League
He had turned out with them and born
, arms. The object OF the league was to pro
} tect themselves against the Vaccinations {
the men who wanted to encroach on thei
rights as citizens, and take their proper
, from them. The organization was still i
existence. It numbered from seven hur
dred to one thousand men.
Richard B. Edgew"rth, Captain of Polio
of New Orleans, and Supervisor of Election
, handed in the following among other letters
HEADQUARTERS REPUBLICAN PARTY oP LOUISIANA,
, NEW ORLEANS, September q, 1876.
To R. B. Edgeworth Esq, Supervisor of Registr
tion, Parish PlaQuemine, La:
DEAR SIR-It is well known to this cor
mittee, from examina' ion of the census
. 1875, that the Republican vote in yol
parish is 5000, and the Republican majorit
= 2,200. You are expected to register an
: vote the full strength of the Republics
: party in your parish. Your recognition
the next State Administration will deper
upon your doing full duty in the pre- nise
l. and you will not be held to have done yol
!, full duty unless the Republican reg
|. tration in your parish reaches three tho
e sand, and the Republican vote is at lea
e three thousand. ALI local candidates al
r committees are directed to aid you to the
utmost in obtaining this result, and eve
l. facility is and will be afforded you, but y,
e must obtain the results called for here
e without fail. Once obtained. your reco
u nition will be ample and generous.
IL Very respectfully your obedient serv't,
IS D. J. NJ. A. JEwETT, Secretary
r James B. Kelley, of New Orleans, testifi
t, to seeing Eliza Pinkston taken from
q home on Gravier-street, to the Republic
n Investigation Committee, and she walk
down the steps unaided.
K Adjourned, subject to the call of t
e Chairman.