The Portland daily press., 1878-07-18
THE INVESTIGATION.
E. L. Weber Caught Bribing
Negroes.
Traces of TildeM'S Enlissaries i'm
Louisiana.

New ORLEANS, July lin the Potter in
vestigation today several witnesses were intro
duced to prove the bad character of Hiram
Smedley, who testified few days ago that he
had seen Joseph w. Jones sign Weber's name
to the Anderson Weber agreement, that no
one else was present and Jones is now dead.
Witnesses testified they would not believe
Smedley GU OATH
w. Fl. Seymour, notary public, contradicted
the statement made by Smedley that he (Smed-
ley) told witness the jurat to the Anderson
Weber agreement was false He said he never
had any conversation with Smedley.
John S. Dula (colored) of West Feliciana
parish testified he was parish Judge in 1876
was invited to resign, but did not Witness
made an affidavit before the returning board
charging intimidation, violence and murder;
made the statements on Information received
from others. The cross.examination of Dula
by Mr.. Cox brought out the statement that he
has been daily in the COMPANY of e. L. Weber
the past week, that Weber offered witness $500
and the promise of position in public school
as teacher if witness would follow his Weber 81
example, recant the affidavit before the return
ing board and deny intimidation in the parish.
Weber said he was all right now, that he had
made arrangements with those who opposed
him and thought he would now be safe any
where. He had acted wisely and advised
witness to do the same thing and place himself
right before the people of the parish and the
state. Witness promised Weber he would fol-
low his example. but his conscience would not
permit him TO do SO. Witness believed that
Armistead and DuHcaD, who testified yester-
day, had been paid by Weber. He understood
the money was put up by a gentleman from
New York three or four weeks ago. Dula was
promised place in the custom house. Witness
received $40 from Weber yesterday and S35
today, and was to receive the balance after
testifying. He said this was the only bribery
case he had ever had anything to do with
Thinks it is doubtful if colored men can trust
themselves when there is money at stake.
s. III. st. Martin of st. James parish, who
was appointed deputy sergeant-at-arms of this
subcommittee on the recommendation of E. L.
Weber. testified: Was present in Weber's
room when the interviews mentioned by Dula
took place. Weber and L were in the room
together. We are very intimate. When Dula
first came Weber was not in. Dula and
talked of Weber's testimony and Dula said he
believed there was money in it. Said Swazey
would 60 along with them, but Ii wanted
$1,000. Dula said if he could get $1,000 he
could manage Swazey, Dula giving witness to
understand he was going with Weber on the
same line of testimony. Never heard Weber
offer Dula any money, but Weber borrowed
$l0 OF witness yesterday and $35 today, which
was paid to Dnla by Weber, Dula remarking
that he did not receive it as bride, but as a
loan.
E. L. Weber was recalled:-Heard the testi-
mony of Dula today. His statement that L
attempted to bride is false. He admitted loan.
ing Dula the money, as stated by st. Martin
Testimony was introduced to show that Sey-
mour, the notary public, and L. B. jerks were
aCQQaintancas