The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-08-29
TIE ELECTORAL INVESTIGATION.

, Major E. A. Burke, of Louisiana, Chair
man of the Democratic State Central Com
mittee in 1876, on the 10Th and 21st testified at
length before the Committee as to his part in
/ the negotiations at Washington by which the
Federal troops were withdrawn from the
Louisiana State house and the Nichols State
Government allowed to take possession. AZ
Ter stating the result OF the election in the
favor of both Tilden and Nichols, he said
/ that the Democrats became alarmed at the
evident determination of the Returning
Board, encouraged by kilograms from
| prominent Northern Republicans, to
count them out, and he was selected by Mich
oils as his agent to visit Washington and Sc
cure, IL possible, the non Intervention of
Government troops. He arrived at Wash.
ington on the 18th of January, and after be-
coming convinced, from the progress of the
Electoral count, that Tilden was bound to be
counted out, negotiations were opened
with the representatives OF Gov. Hayes,
prominent among whom were Messrs.
Matthews, Sherman, Foster and DENIM
son. Through the Intervention of Senator
Lamar, witness met these gentlemen, by ap.
pointment, on the 26th of February, and
showed them the guarantees which the
NICHOLS Government were willing to make
in the event of being recognized. This inter-
view resulted in consultation with Presi-
dent Grant, in which assurances were given
that In the event of the Presidential count
being completed the troops should be with
drawn. Question by Gen. Butler: I" Did you
and your party friends agree to stop the
A. :" We certainly did, sir We were
assured by President Grant that after
the count was completed the troops would
be withdrawn. / said to Matthews that
while we were assured that President Grants
assurances of President Hayes's policy
were well intended, yet we wanted these as
SnraDces from such men as Garfield, Morton,
and Others, whom they regarded more than
Hayes. He said he could not answer for them,
and / said, Then we will place your party
IN such position that they must speak"
/ ~ 10 safr,
the hhbusters and prevent Louisiana and
South Carolina being counted for HAYES.
The guarantees and assurances TO be given
by Hayes were agreed upon by the Nichols
Government on February 20 or 81 and after
wards Endorsed by Sherman and Matthews
on the part of Hayes. The witness denied
son had authorized guarantees or assur-
ances- The order for the non intervention
OF troops was issued by President Grant on
the 2d OF March, after the count was COM
pleted.
Major Burke gave some additional evil
dence before the Committee on the I'D. He
had interviews with other leading Republi-
cans, besides those heretofore mentioned.
regarding Louisiana affairs. Among them
were Nadleigh, Howe, Frye, West and Cam
eron IL was communicated to witness that
the Republicans expected two Unit
ed states Senators from Louisiana in consid-
Grafton of yielding up the State to Nichols |
There was considerable discussion of the
fuoetAOA a. W INV the ElccbOrdl vote OF the
state could be consistently given
to Hayes and at the same time Nichols be
counted in Witness undertook to evolve a /
legal theory which would cover the case, the |
Position taken being that the Returning |
Board had no power to canvass the vote on /
Governor. There was considerable difficulty /
m arranging the details of the matter, and /
COLUMBUS Delano went to Ohio to consult ]
Hayes about IL. Witness expressed his be- Z
lief that President Grant, after HIS |
refusal on Jan. to furnish Kellogg with l
more troops, was favorable 10 sustaining the 7
Nichols Government; that Hayes had made I
up his mind to do SO irrespective of the ne
gOfiatiOns then in progress, but that Sner- I
man, GARFIELD, and other Republican leaders 1
were influenced by the considerations offered I
By the friends OF Nichols, VIZ. the abandon
lnent of the nlibuster1ng movement IN the |
House against the completion of the
Electoral count, and the return of two
United States Senators from louisiana The
witness said that he saw Anderson in New
Orleans restaurant one Sunday, and Messrs.
sherman and Stoughton were also there, but
be oic not see a1ly conversation netweea I
them. Anderson told witness that be signed 4
in the nature of a protest, but that
ne was under the influence OF liquor when he
signed; and he could prove that Anderson
told him that in consideration for what he
promised him the Naval Office. In en inter-
view with Anderson about the 9th OF NoFem-
Der, continued witness, he stated 20 me
be was ia Possession of documei tary ana
lther evidence, that would prove conspira-
y b. the Republican party % throw out the
iot<e Richland, and East Baton Ropge: he
Isrfher said he rcoDId secure Us the
Parish of East Feliciana, but that be
vas poor, and If he did so would
be thrown into prison on
rumped up charges. He agreed to do this II