The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-07-09
THE LOUISIANA SUB-COMIETTEE.
Testimonv If ID. II. Wedge.

NEW ORLEANS, July S.-The Potter SUBJ
committee met at IL o'clock.
d. J. Wedge of East Feliciana testified: Was
chairman of the Democratic parish campaign
committee; detailed occurrence in connection
with Anderson's departure from the parish
and the efforts to secure his return to complete
the registration. Under the law registration
closes nine days before the election. There
were over 400 Democratic voters unregistered;
knew Capt. Degray, prominent Republican,
who was consulted by the negroes as to their
couse; Degray in conversation told witness be-
fore election that it was the purpose OF the Re-
publicans to have no ticket in the field, that
the parish could be thrown out; Degray refused
to vote, saying that it was no use that it was
all farce; witness stated that Anderson after
com pleting the returns refused to sign them,
but promised he would sign them after he got
to Baton Rouge on his way to this city if some
of us would go with him. went with him in
carriage to Baton Rouge when he signed the
returns under oatn before a justice of the
peace. Anderson said it was not necessary to
make any protest as the election was peaceful
and quiet. After signing the return paid
Anderson between $500 and $780,
Cross-Examined by Reed.
Witness paid Anderson the amount of his
which was insolvent. My object was to get
Anderson to complete his work. He was hard
to manage and for that reason went to Baton
Rouge with him. He refused to sign the re-
turns in Clinton. We promised to cash his
warrant tor lear he would compiete his
work without such payment; paid him out of
the campaign funds; did not think there was
anything wrong in making such payment;
would not pay Anderson for the purpose of in.
ducipg him to do wrong Heard Anderson say
New Orleans to Bayou Sara. My impression
is Anderson had forfeited his legal right to pay
ment by his scampish action in leaving the par.
ish before completing the registration.
j.
Kellogg under sections % and % of the election
law to have some one appointed in Anderson s
place when he refused to perform his duty as
supervisor.
Stenger read the section Of law giving the
governor authority to remove for cause.
Witness said that 10 1874 the negroes voted
almost solidly for the Republicans. In 1876
they voted the Democratic ticket
Testimony of Thomas NJ Williams
Thomas M. Williams (colored), testified that
the negroes in East Feliciana up to 1878 be-
longed to the Republican paaty. Knew Capt.
Degray, considered him the leading Republi-
can of the parish. He told me to inform our
friends there was no use voting, that the vote
would be thrown out; he had known me as a
Republican.
To Reed-tt was well known had joined
the Democrats. Told Capt. Degray SO after we
had talked about the election.
Testimony of John De Lee.
John De Lee of East Feliciana testified: In
1876 voted the Democratic ticket, 10 1874 voted
a mixed ticket. Prior to the election in 1875
Degray spoke to me about acting as constable
on the day of the election. Before the election
saw Degray and Campbell. They told me
there would be no Republican ticket in the
parish, that this was the programme agreed on
down below, meaning New Orleans. Know
Degray Was in the habit of consulting promi-
nent Republicans in New Orleans. He was
really the head of the Republican party in Ethe
parish.
To Reed-Was present when Packard and
Lewis made speeches in the parish, when the
Republican speaker was made to take back
what he had said
Here discussion between the members of
the committee arose as to whether or not the
question of intimidation should be gone into,
which was decided in the negative.
Testimony of John 9. Lancer.
John S. Lancer of East Feliciana testified:
Am planter and clerk of the district conrt;
knew the leaders Of the Republican party from
not put the ticket in the field had a converse
ton with Anderson who wanted his friend
Nash put on the ticket for Congress; Ande rson
said if this was done the election would be all
right, otherwise it would not. The warrant
cashed for Anderson afterwards fell into my
hands and was paid into the parish treasury at
its face value for taxes. Witness. in response
TO question, submit tied copy of the indict-
ment found by the grand jury May 20, 1872.
against Thos. 81. jerks for embezzling $4,000
as tax collector. The records show that the in
dictment was mol pressed May %, of the same
year. There was another indictment which
was similarly disposed of. There is civil pro-
ceeding against jerks for the amount of the
deficit. 1 find no Indictment against l.. B.
jerks.
To Reed-The records of the court do not
show that any warrant was issued for jerks,
and he may not have known of his indict-
ment
John De Lee Recalled.
John DE Lee was recalled by Mr.. Springer
aud testified: In 1874 the Republican majority
was about 800 but in our parish several Demo-
Gratis were elected to parish offices. There was
split is the parish but tina Republican state
ticket received about 800snfajorty.
Testim ony of Jesse Harrison.
Jesse Harrison, coIored, of East Felicians,
testified: Prince Jones, who lives at jackson,
told me Capt Butler (Rep.) before election
came to his house and advised him not to 90
out on election day unless he wanted to vote
the Democratic ticket.
At 2 O'Clock the cammittee adjourned till IL
q. m. to 'mOrrow.