The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-08-01
The Fraud Committee.

Before the New Orleans Committee,
July %, Julius Green, Howard Thornton,
John LIE Garde, colored men, formerly of
West Feliciana Parish, testified that they
had made afidavits before the Returning
Board. When the afidavits were read to
them to-day, they denied the most impor-
tant statements as to intimidation, each
averring that the afidavits were not read to
him after being prepared. In cross exam
ination by Gov. Cox, Green admitted the
correctness of several important statements
contained in his affidavit. e.-.,
Col. j. NJ. Thompson, Chief Clerk of the
Custom House, produced the roll of en-
P1oyees in the customs service since Col
leetor Kings appointment, but could not
swear that it was absolutely correct The
object of calling for the list Mr.. Blackburn
stated, was to get the name of particular
individual, but he didn't think they were
any nearer it than before, unless thelist was
absolutely correct.
j. N. Hagens, attorney of New Orleans,
prepared the afidavits in the Custom-house
in '76 of Donald Sweasy in duly prescribed
manner of making up affidavits, by ques-
tloning witnesses, and taking down their
statements. Witness honestly and fairly
reduced to writing the statements made by
witnesses. They were not Influenced, to
his knowledge, to make statements that
were not true. 1 furnished list of wit
nesses that were summoned for the Howe
committee, including three whose afidavits
| had prepared. Did not have any COM
munication with witnesses between the time
of their making affidavits and their appear
ance before the Howe committee. In pre-
pairing the afidavits 1 endeavoded to bring
out the strongest points for the Republicans.
L. F. Baugnion, Supervisor of Registra-
ton in West Baton Rouge, since the cleo
tion employed in the Custom House, testi-
fed regarding conversations with Weber.
showing that Weber was afraid to return to
West Feliciana parish after the election,
also that he had been Senator.
Alain, colored, had received 1900 for
having the names of several Electors omit
ted from the Republican tickets, which
were furnished to voters of the parish.
Oscar Holt, of West Baton Rouge, mem
Der of the Packard Legislature, testified
that Alain furnished the ticket with the
names of several Electors omitted; also
that Baugnion told witness Alain had re-
ceived $4,000 for omitting the names.
The following explains itself:
"NEw ORLEANS. July %, 1878.
/ "SIR: have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your answer to my communi-
cation of June last, requesting permission
on behalf of the Hon. John Sherman to
| have subp9naed before your subcommittee
certain witnesses for the purpose of testify
ing on the subject of acts of violence and
other acts producing intimidation of voters
in this State, at the election on the 9TH of
November, 1876. In your answer, you in
| form me that Mr.. Sherman's request has
| been considered by the subcommittee, and
| that you are directed to inform me that
| your subcommittee are ready to furnish
| subpenas for all the witnesses named
| by Mr.. Sherman, and any others that he or
his counsel may desire to have collected to
] testify with reference to the matter of intim.
idation. I deem it proper to state that in
consequence of the delay of the committee
at Washington to pass on this request oi
Mr.. Sherman, and also the delay of the sub
committee to pass on this application, and
a large number of witnesses having beer
examined, that it became necessary for Mr.
Sherman's counsel to adopt a line of inves
| tigation emitting that of intimidation, O.
! which Mr.. Sherman's principal counsel a
| Washington has been advised, so that a
present I do not wish to depart from tina
line until 1 shall have time to communicat,
with his leading counsel at Washington
which I have already done.
az am. sir, respectfully your obedien
servant,
"JoHN RAY, Attorney.
"To Hon. w. S. Stenger, Chairman Sub
Committe."
Representatives Potter, Butler, Hiscock
and Springer, met June %, at Atlanti
City. There were present ex-senator Trum
bull, Representatives Kelly and Danford
and of counsel, Messrs. Shellabarger an,
Sypher, together with large number o
guests of the hotel of both sexes, and rep
resentatives of the press. Representativ
instance of the Republicans, by Mr.. His
cock, who conducted the direct examina
ton. Representative Danforth testified b
was member of the Morrison committe
that visited New Orleans, and there me
James E. Anderson, whom he had frs
known as the Washington correspondent
of newspaper in his district. II
had a full conversation with Andersen
, about East Feliciana. 1t was voluntary O.
f the part of Anderson, who spoke general
of the condition of the parish, and of ii
being the worst bulldozed parish of tn
/ State, and said that while travelling frol
some point to the parish seat, on dar
night, he was fired at, his clothes being she
through, and that he escaped by reason c
went to New Orleans. He said that som
army officer doubted the truth of the stor
about the attack. He also spoke of havin
made protest, on which the vote of Eas
!. Feliciana was thrown out. He spoke
e having put in circulation that during Ii
a period of registration he came to Ne
: Orleans and informed the Republican Cor
!
. his parish was going Democrat
the colored vote being largely on that sid
and that he had been advised by Kellos
:. and the Republican Committee that
u should either not return to the parish at a
d or come away and make such protest
i would throw the parish out. He said
IS had put the story in circulation in the ho]
). that the Democratic Committee would NAL
!. :. him an offer of money, and when, by the {
> fer of money he had them good and fast,
K would expose the authors and blow the
n skyhigh. The witness did not hear Andt
If son question the truth of the protest.
; At New Orleans, June %, Ex-Gov. R.
= Wickhfe, Col. S. ]: Powell, and Captain
w. Leake, of West Feliciana Parish, testifi
D. regarding their efforts to induce color
y men to vote the Democratic ticket at t
last election. Each assisted in organizi
colored Democratic clubs and addressi
'e meetings of colored people. The mt
potent argument used was in relation to t
1t public schools, which had been badly ms
n. aged by Republicans, the funds being
!. many cases misapplied. The last electi
'' was peaceable and quiet D. A. fYeber tt
in Col. Powell, November Is, he had not fiji
I'd any protest and did not intend to do so.
Ie A letter was read from Thomas s. Kel
10 celored, who will be remembered as do
:. keeper of Governor Kellogg's private Off
ss dated Lake Providence, La, and address
n. states that the names of Joffrion a
a Levissee on the second set of Electo
m certificates were forged, and offering,
summoned before the committee, to po
gu out the party who com mmitted the forgery
ell Capt. James Kelly testified that he !
ms New Orleans June % for Lake Providel
rts at the instance of the Chairman of the D,
wv ocratic State Central Committee to sec
~ the attendance of Thomas s. Kelly bef
the Congressional committee. With
found Kelly, who promised to return "
him to New Orleans. While waiting for
III boat to come down three boats passed
a On one of these boats colored man
nix woman ar ived from New Orleans. It
ty, went with Kelly to his quarters,
! q during the night this man
llv Kelly took the next boat and went
ay the river. 1 subsequently learned I
us the colored man who took Kelly away
OF named Kennedy, and that he is Assist
it; Doorkeeper of the United States Senate
his F. o. Minch, aid to the Chief of Pol
esq testified regarding the effort to trace