The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-28
THE RETURNING BOARD CASE.

DESPERATE CONDITION OF THE IMPRISONED
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES DISCLOSURES THREAT
ENED-wELLs SEARCHING FOR HELP FROM
OUT.
By TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
New ORLEANS. La, Jan. %, 1878.
The excitement In the Returning Board has
somewhat abated. Your correspondent to-day had q
long interview with Anderson Kenner and Casaanavs
in the parish prison. They still rctccn Ander.
son stated, however, the reason they hid in the
Custom House was to gain time: that on the present
jury In the Superior Criminal Court is not single
coiored man; that the jury was drawn to convict
them. and their only object to gain time
THREATENED DISCLOSURES
He intmated pretty bitterly that the effect OF their
treatment by the administration might lead to some
thing unexpected though hc refused to say what. In
conversation With prison officials. however, tho trio
have expressed themselves to the effect IL they
deserted by those they placed In power they will
make disclosures exceedingly unpleasant Tho two
colored men very downhcarted. They say there
IS no hope for them with packed jury and every
hrrayed against them. Anderson, though dispirited
II times, grows aercc and bitter.
WELLS WHEREABOUTS AND PURPOSES.
Search has been made everywhere to-day for ellis,
but without effect II Is believed that he started on
Saturday for Washington, and TINT the Custom House
resistance was for the purpose Of giving him time 10
reach Washingon that when there he will 60 10 the
President and urge their desperate condition, and
show him that unless he does something they will be
lost. II he refuses, then disclosure will DO made Of
the whole fraud condition the prosecution Is
stopped.
ALLgGED DEMOCRATIC OFFERS
II Is said intimatons have been had from certain
leading democrats that II tho Returning Board would
show Hayes election 10 have been fraud prose-
cution will cease It is certain that the Returning
Board members In their straits and are rap
idly becoming desperate.
WHAT LEADING REPUBLICANS SAY.
Leading republicans here say they can see no way
In which Hayes could help the Board except by open
violation of law, which he dare not do, ana that,
therefore, the chances for his exposure near
1t hand.
sTATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL DEvENs-
CASE IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT CAM
NOT INTERFERE.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
WASHINGTON, JAM p, 1875.
Attorney General Devens says that by the last &C
counts received by him everything 10 New Orleans
vas quiet and NO probability existed Of any trouble.
The directions he gave that the process OF The
courts should recognized obeyed so far as re.
lated to the action OF the federal authorities
In other words, no did not think that
the United States Custom House any other govern.
ment building should be used as an asylum or place
Of refuge against tbs service OF u criminal process
issued by proper authority Of tho courts.
PURELY LOCAL AFFAIR.
II Is matter in which, az II Is presented, the
United Siatos government cannot interfere, as the
difficulty Is purely local matter. His action 10 the
premises, ms Indicated by his reply to the telegram
received by him about the situation, was taken
promptly. no says, without any consultation with
the President, and II Is doubtful II the President
knew anything about It, Attorney General Devens -
decided about the propTety OF the author
iy OF the State courts In matters OF proper jurisdic
ton and the process OF law In cases coming under
them
NOT A PLACE OF REFUGE
No government building can be used to afford
cover to resist service Of such process In criminal
cases, though by law, in some instances there are
navy yards within whose limits tho understanding has
been that local arrests cannot be made The
Attorney General does look for any further trouble
nom the arrests just made In New Orleans.