Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-13
HOW THEY SQUIRM
The Leading Republican Organ Calls it
Persecution of Louisiana Republicans"
and Says it Must Stop--All in the Peniten-
tiary by the Middle of March.

washington special N. Y. 11meS EeD. 8.
There is a general indignation here among
Republicans over the conviction of Gen.
Anderson, in New Orleans on account of the
alteration Of the Vernon returns. It is a
matter of establishment that he should be
convicted when it is a well-known fact that
these returns we're exhibited to the visiting
statesmen of both parties, we're recorded in
the records of the board, and published in
the daily journals before any alteration of
them was made, and the evidence wholly
failed to connect Gen. Anderson in any way
with their alteration. That matter was very
fully investigated here last winter, and there
was no pretense that he had anything to do
with the change. In administration circles,
and among those who have been doing most
to allay sectional animosities these trials
are regarded as outrages, perpetrated
under the guise of the law, and there is
a strong feeling that these prosecutions of
Republicans in Louisiana must stop. Re
publican members of the citizens commit
tee who visited New Orleans last year to wit
ness the electoral count are unanimous in
the opinion that Gen. Anderson is innocent
of the charges upon which he has been con-
there was nothing in the transactions of the
the semblance of a crime. At the cabinet
meeting to-day the conviction of Gen. An
derson was informally discussed, and the
President expressed himself very decidedly
upon the subject, announcing his intention
to give the General and other members of
the returning board such moral and official
support as he may be able. A member of
the cabinet stated this evening that the Pres
ident has determined to publicly indicate
his disapprobation of this partisan
persecution of Republicans in Louisi-
ana, but declined to explain how this will
be done, as he did not desire to anticipate
the action of the President. Mr.. Hayes be-
lieyes that the Democratic officials of
Louisiana have violated the pledges made
when Mr.. Nichols was recognized as gov
ernor, that there should be no prosecutions
for political ofenses or political purposes.
Messrs. Shellabarger and Wilson, of this
city, are acting as counsel for Gen. Anderson
and Gov. Wells, and to-day telegraphed the
formers New Orleans counsel certain sug-
gestions with reference to future proceed
ings, and instructions to have the record
carefully made up, with view of appealing
the case to the United States supreme court
on writ of error. In refusing to grant a
writ of certiorari on Monday last, Justice
Bradley stated that Gen. Anderson had the
right to appeal on a writ of error, and it is
probable this motion will be entered by
Judge Shellabarger at the earliest practicable
time.
Another member of the cabinet, in speak
ing of Gen. Anderson's conviction. said that
the recommendation for mercy which the
jury coupled with their verdict satisfied him
that the verdict rendered should not have
been found. He says Gen. Anderson is q
man of large influence and extended &C
quaintance in Louisiana, and possesses more
than ordinary experience and intelligence
The Recommendation for mercy either argues
that the jury thought. Gen. Anderson weak
imbecile. who should not be held to full
responsibility for his acts, OF that they haC
found verdict not justified by the evidence
and seek to throw upon the court a RESPONSE
bility which was entirely their own.
Washington Special N. Y. World, Feb. 81
The conviction of General Anderson. Of
the Louisiana returning board, though not
wholly unexpected, has at the same time
been the subject Of general comment here
to-day. It is admitted that Wells, Casanave
and Kenner will fare no better. and that as q
consequence the entire board will be in the
penitentiary by the middle of March. Ad-
vices from New Orleans received here to-day
say that will be the end of the prosecutions
and that no indictments of the ''visitine
statesmen will be found. But it must be
confessed that no very great confidence is put
in such information by those who confess to
know the purpose of those who are securing
the punishment of the members of the
board. There is said to be a decided feeling
against Stanley Matthews and E. w. Slough
ton, our Minister to st. Petersburg, based on
the allegation that they had knowledge after
the fact that bogus afidayits were made in
New Orleans and inserted in the packages OF
returns from the parishes, to attempt to show
that there had been sufficient intimidation tc
warrant change in the vote as returned
from Democratic result to Republican
one. Mr.. Matthews, who seems to be. in
quite futter over the situation, pronounces
the statement, so far as he is concerned, tc
be a malicious falsehood, and he will join
with Messrs. Foster, and Garfield, and Sher-
man, and Harlan, in making statement OF
their knowledge of the count. Governor
Packard, who is here, studiously declines to
talk about the trials of Anderson and Wells
but there appears to be no doubt that he has
expressed the opinion that neither one will
suffer martyrdom that others i'll official life
may go free.