The Portland daily press., 1878-06-17
MONDAY MORNING. JUNE IL.
A Dead Witness

d. A. Weber, whose name the scoundrel An
derson hasi connected with the forged agree
ment, was the supervisor of West Feliciana
parish, Louisiana. A system of most brutal
terrorism had bsea established by the Demo-
cratic bulldozers in the parish in order to
break down the Republican majority. After
the election Weber came to New Orleans with
the returns, which he delivered to the return
ing board without airy protest or affidavit in re
gard to the legality of the bulldozed election,
frankly admitting that he was afraid his life
was in danger If he should state under oath
the intimidation the democrats had practiced.
At the previous election in 1874 the result was
as follows, according to the Democratic count:
Republican 1850; Democratic, sol. But at
this election in 1870 the returns were; Repub-
lican, 77S; Democratic, !, 25S. The registration
of votes Of 1870 was whites, 499, colored 2,2l3.
The result of the vote as compared with the
preceding election and with the obvious politics
of the parish demonstrates conclusvely that
the bulldozers h i'd got in their work; that they
had stuffed 10 750 moreDemocratic tickets than
there were Democratic voters aud had driven
away fifteen hundred colored Republicans and
prevented them from voting, Weber saw and
knew all this, but to save his life, remained
silent at firet. Upon the assurance of person.
al protection he made and filed the protest re-
CURED by law, and on the strength of that afi-
davit the returning board threw out the pre-
cincts where the most frauds and bulld0Zing
had been done. He owned little property in
the parish, and had his family there He re-
NAMED IN New Orleans few weeks, and then
yentured to return to his home.-a rash and
fatal step on his part, as the event proved, for
he was soon murdered in open day.
On the second day after his return to his
t.ar ro4.s r111
Mcmillan of Minnesota, whose acquaintance
he made in New Orleans:
My Dear Mr.. Senator,-I see by the Associated
Press dispatches that President Grant will not rec
9gn1e Governor Packard. 1t is even asserted that
policy. II this should prove true; it, after
vices to the nation, we are to be left in the hands Of
Nichols and his murderers, you, Mr. Senator, who
have had the opportunity to Judge our cause will
understand how soon the murderers will begin their
W waa 1e DS of an 20 TPe
downfall comes that of the innocent negro, whose
vote saved the nation; appeal to yo1 Mr. Senator
battle for those who are poweress Our lives our
property, and the security of our families depend
VINO understand our position. Since my return
from New Orleans and my attendance upon yeur
committees, have been at home cooped up In the
house, unable to appear upon the streets without
mourning danger. If we're alone, without wife or
children, or property, could easily adapt myself to
the present condition Of affairs But cannot desert
my all, if staying should cost my life. Hop
ing you will pardon the liberty am taxing in ad-
dressing you, remain very respectfully yours,
d. A. WEBER.
The next day he ventured out, and as he was
walking past the court house he was fred upon
from the windows of that Building and Instant
ly killed.
The charge against John Sherman Is that he
is alleged to have promised Weber some pro-
lection and support if he performed his duty 10
making affidavit of fraud in the West Fell
ciana election. An exchange says: Suppose
he did promise Weber protection, what then?
BE had right to suppose that Weber would be
protected in the performance of duty de.
volved on him by law, and it would have beer
perfectly natural to say to him that he should
be both protected and provided for. Any Re
publican with a soul IN him as big as a mustard
seed would have said the same thing, and put
did what he is charged with doing he did right
and every Republican will honor him for it,
Chicago Tribune.