The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-08-01
The Louisiana ub-Committee.

Additional evidence was taken up to the
sd, from various colored men who had made
affidavits before the Returning Board, show
ing that the affidavits were not read to them
before being signed, and they had no knowl-
edge OF their contents, many of the state
ments contained therein being now pro-
nounced untrue. Some of the same wit
nesses testified before the Howe Com
mittee as to intimidation, and now recanted
their previous evidence. j. n. Hogens,
an attorney, testified that he drew up
the most of the affidavits in question, and
that they fairly set forth the statements made
to him orally by the parties who signed them.
number of prominent Democrats of West
Feliciana Parish testified as to their efforts to
induce cOlored men to vote the Democratic
ticket, and said that the election was peace
able and quiet. A letter was read from
Thomas S. Kelly, colored, who will be re-
membered as the door keeper of Gov. KEEL
logg's private office, dated Lake Provi-
dence, La, addressed to the Potter sub
| Committee, in which he states that the
names ofJoffroin and Levissee on the second
set of Electoral certificates were forged,
and offering, if summoned before the COM
mittee, to point out the party who commit
ted the forgery. Evidence was taken show
ing that an effort had been made to secure
kellys attendance before the committee,
but that he had since left the country in
company with one Kennedy, an assistant
doOrkeeper of the United States SEN
ate, the last heard of them being at
Cincinnati. The sub Committee determined
to accede to the request of Mr.. Sherman that
testify in regard to intimidation, and so mott
fed Shermans counsel. The latter replied,
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 oath and 18th, was as follows: Thos. II.
Nolan testified that in 1876 he assisted in the
preparation of affldavits in the Custom
house; in preparing affidavits made them as
strong ALWAYS an6anWnrpn
make fair statement of the testimony of
witnesses, but instead of making witness say
he mad 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
to read over the affidavits to witnesses; they
were generally told the aflidavits would new
er be published; it was the understanding in
Republican circles that the State had gone
Democratic, and they must by afffdavits and
protests make a case for the Returning Board
to throw out polls enough to reverse the re-
suit Messrs. Hale, Stoughton, Garfield and
other visiting Republicans were frequently
in the room where the afiidavits were being
made. Major L. A Burke testified at length
regarding his mission to Washington in the
interests of the Nichols State Government.
He was instructed by Gov. Nichols to repre-
sent to the President the true state of affairs
in Louisiana, and to confer and act with the
Democratic managers. He produced large
mass of kilograms, letters, etc, which relate
to affairs there pending, among them notes
passing between him and Stanley Matthews
in regard to the recognition of the Nichols
Government. The so called WOrmley Con
ference was held on Feb. %, at the sugges-
ton of witness. There were present at this
conference Messrs. Matthews, Garfield, Eos
ter, Sherman, George Carter, Levy, Ellis,
Watterson and witness. The condition of af-
fairs in Louisiana was thoroughly discussed,
the Louisiana representatives read a state
ment of the position of the Nichols Govern.
ment and most positive assurances were Civ
en- by Matthews, Sherman, Garfield and FOs-
ter, 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 interference. Witness then
gave an account of an interview that took
place between Mr.. Hewitt and himself imme-
diatcly after the Democratic caucus had de-
termined that the count should go on to
peaceful solution. Witness arraigned Hewitt
for his abandonment of Louisiana, it being
well known that the Louisiana members de-
desired the House TO hold out until satisfac
tory assurances were given of Federal non
interference. Notwithstanding the action of
the caucus, the flibusters continued to hold
out and increase in numbers, until they
numbered 1l6, which was sufficient to deter
the count from further proceeding. It was
at this time that Mr. Sherman sent for wit
ness and these conferences were held
which resulted in the completion of
testified regarding the Wormley Conference
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.
to the call of Chairman, and members left
New Orleans the same night.