The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-19
THE LOUISIANA COUNT.
Duncan s. Kenner on the Returning
Boards Work.
ANDERSON AND WELLS
Their Chances OF Pardon Con-
sidered Doubtful.

sidered Doubtful.
In view Of the present grave complications In
Louisiana Affairs growing out OF the arrest OF Ander
son, Wells and the other members Of the Returning
Board Of that State the presence In this city OF Mr.
Duncan 8. Kenner. who played SO prominent part
In the supplementary proceedings IN Congress during
the investigation before Mr.. David Dudley Fields
committee, not without a particular interest,"
Mr. Kenner Il will be remembered, is the gentleman
whom Governor Wells charged openly with having
offered him bribe OF $500 900 the vote OF the
Board for Samuel J. Tilden. The facts in substance
were as testified before the committee. that the rsa-
lions OF Kenner and Wells were confidential; that
on November II or 49, 1876, the former mot
the latter on the street In New Orleans
and said he wished to soc him (Wels) at his
tksnner's, ONCE The meeting TOOK place Kenner
said Il . we'll recognized fact that Nichols had car
ried the State, but apprehension was felt by the
people Of Louisiana that he would not be permitted 10
take his seat. Wells, after some desuory CONVERSE
ton, replied that he was partisan and could not
break with his party without great personal sacrifice,
As he poor Kenner then asked Wells
what once Packard could offer MIN which would COM
peusate MIN for the loss Of his peoples good will
Wells said:-"I do not for Office; my compensa-
ton might receive must be such to enable 10
retire to my plantation in Rapdes parish" Alter
some sparring In regard to terms Wells said he would
have 10 consult one, and when pressed regard
10 the name oil the person mentioned "Tom" Ander-
Son
This much preliminary history seems necessary, as
The whole story has been by the Of the
members OF the Returning Board, and the attitude
which come members of the government have
sumed in reference to the action OF the Louisiana
thoritcs.
Mr. xHSSxRs VIEWS
Just as the gentleman was stepping into coach to
depart from the New York Hotel yesterday HERALD
reporter hsd an opportunity to exchange few words
In regard the important OF national politics
with which Mr.. Kenner's name has been connected.
He briefly reviewed the subject important, and
added that although the old matter of the $1,000
bride had been brought up again be could not what
pertineucy there was just with this and the at
tude Of the people OF Louisiana toward the members
Of the Returning Board.
wel" said the reporter, ''the question OF the bride
pier has again come up IN your State, and the claim
other to buy. What have you to say 10 that. Mr.
'.oniy this" said the old gentleman, laughing;
'Wells, alter several meetings 1t my Office asked me
what wanted hm 70 do. said, all that Is wanted Is
fair account Of all the votes cast Wells continued
that he must throw out some parishes, but that no
eould leave enough votes IN to elect Nichols He said
he would do that would place in hands 500, 900
In greenbacks. told him the truth when said
had not the money. That's all there about IT,"
ibid you consult wish others with view to raising
We'll, all that Is a matter OF record. consulted
Brent, samuel Is SIMPSON, q. Kennsss Jonn A. Nor
rs, Dr. Beard, Martin Jordan, Henry Miller aud
others; but the money was not raised and not cent
THE CITIZENS AND TIE ACCUSED
In the course OF later and more protracted CONVEX
patton Mr. Kenner gave some very important inior-
%s%Seri OF me Rs.Srn,ns Bosra ~n,ea 4 this time
the oGendinGh Cazenave and Ksnner we're mere
dnn~ A,A
met together In defiance OF law. or rather under
ihe color OF military law, and proceeded TO exercise
auties ~ prohibited ~ tho State consultation and IN
disregard OF the rights OF the sovereign people,
Their assem- bling was Vt their own WILL regulated by
no stated hours Of meeting or adjournment, governed
BY NO parliamentary principles, secret and revou-
tonary. On the fmsest pretexts the votes OF whole
IL known many necessary 10 perfect
certain acts OF prearranged nfamy. The seals OF the
State were violated ami pouches containing the rec
OF SURFACES OF parishes received
by the Returning Board and admitted BY them. when
overwhelming proof was adduGed that they had been
held over In the city Tor days, and had been
hawked about In places OF Ill tame When
hr. Hayes wa: iDaugurs.ed and was 50 just 10
'ihere still feeling In Louisiana that great
wrong had been done the people; that their majesty
had been outraged, and such crime should be made
impossible IN tho future. The men now indicted
proceeded against exactly IN accordance with law
The evidences OF their crime had accumulated
against them that q conviction almost certain.
Then came the howl from the implicated, and u
cry for help directed to Washington. | glad that
President Hayes thought d. to lin his hand 10
Say the punishment which is melted out to the vio-
lators Of the law"
'sSccretary Sherman has protested, however, - in
terrupted the reporter.
'Yes." was the slow reply, sand he will soon dis
cover his mistake. When the people Of the South
asked tor justice they made no bargains The govern
ment in the withdrawal oil the troops simply did
should have been done long before When the Presi-
dent recognized the lawfully elected Governors OF
South Carolina and the powers those
States simply received proper ssion TO manage
their own affairs Now, when Louisiana IN the exer-
else OF ner powers In civil Jurisdiction d. TO bring
10 trial and TO mete out puuish Tor crime,
done within her borders, but affecting the whole
American people, It III becomes Cabinet Minister to
lit up his voice IN condemnation, and suggests
very unpleasant thoughts.
WILL THY BE PARDoyEDY
"What Is tue chance OF Governor Nichols extending
pardon 10 the parties?"
III think whatever. OF course can only speak
from my own CONVICTIONS aud without any Official
knowledge"
''rhere talx OF a bargain by which Anderson,
Wells " Co. are 10 be released"
II know nothing OF this" replied Mr. kenner; ~
think am sale Ia saying that SO far Governor
Nichols 10 concerned there has boen such agree.
mcnt made with him personally and believe he took
office without any entangling bargains, but Is hard
TO say what agreements may have been made by po-
litcal ironds OF the Governor without his
'Hcw do the different ciasses OF people In New Or
leans view the prosecutions OF the members OF the
Returning Bourd?"
III can truly cay there is no division Of sentiment
10 regard TO the matter. Take Tor instance the shop
Keepers They are usually the conservative Glass
They trace directly the late disturbance OF their bust
ness to the intarlies OF the Returning Board, and,
consequently, they have no sympathy with them.
Then the wealthy clsssos-peope who have the
Guys credit sink, property ovorburdoned with taxa
lion, houses tenan,iess and their wealth shrinking
IRON bac ana corrupt government-nad an interest IN
bring NJ the guilty men TO justice. As tor politi.
Clans. the bad ones especially as soon us they saw
the Law VAS 10 be executed they turrcd States evi.
dence exposed tar more even tban was
suspected by the most suspicious
"Such SIR Is the state Of public feeling in Louisiana