The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-08
THE BLAINE INVESTIGATION.

TESTIMONY BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE IN
NEW oRLEANs-THE ALLEGED oUTRAGEs IN
TENsAs PARIsH-BEPUBILcAN LEADERS Or
DERED TO LEAvE-How THE NEGROES WERE
INUNDATED, AS STATED By DEFEATED CAN.
DIDATEs.
New ORLEANS, Jan. 7. 1879.
. The subcommittee of the Blaine Investigation
Committee met ut ten A. M. in Surveyor Nells' pri-
vate office at the Custom House. All the members
were present Senator Garland asked if there would
be any special programme published. and the Chair
man answered that programme had been
ranged but that when neighborhood reached
it would be gone through with Senator Garland
then suggested that the neighborhoods be desig-
mated. SO that witnesses might be notified The
Chairman maintained that the charges of fraud in
Natchitoches, Tensas and Caddo parishes would be
the first considered.
Senator Cameron said that charges came from every
part Of the State and might be impossible to define
any exact part
Senator Bailey thought that near as possible
some definite plan OF proceeding should be adopted
SO that the charges could be met by evidence on the
other side.
The chairman declared that he would allow all nee
essary time the production Of such evidence. but
no detailed plan would be published.
THE FIRST WITNESS
j. Ernest Breda was then and testified: lis
native of Natchitoches, and has always resided in
the parish; served during the in the Second
Louisiana regiment has been republican since
1871; has been stump speaker, but did not take
from home on the 22d Of September Witness gave
an account of the manner of organizing republican
ward clubs and the formation OF executive
mittees. He then said One ward club to
meet on the I'd Of September; that day there was
to be democratic convention; ct our meeting there
al liza
semblage; after adjournment we started home-I and
my brothers-on horseback; we had gone about one
hundred yards when, at the OF Cypress street,
O body of armed cavalrymen opposed our passage;
pistols were drawn and strong language was used;
down side street; my brothers and took down =
side street. went to the woods. and, encrclng tho
town., arrived during the night at home; there We
stayed until the next day.
ORDERED TO LEAVE.
On that morning At eight o'clock. my uncle. .
spoken to me since 1874 account of my politics;
he told me that my house to be attacked. and de-
sired me to surrender told him would fight and
never surrender; my uncle said he would bring a
guarantee from body Of armed men that
il if we e'' would leave the place within two
hours; my uncle went back and conferred with
the committee Of armed men; my brother left IN the
was going on; remained in the woods until the
25th Of October; that day my uncle again to
hunted with bloodhounds; on the 31st of October
left for Shreveport, and have remained there until
duced copy of the Vindcator calling it the organ
of the ldozers otherwise democrats selfstye) Of
the parish and read certain warnings therefrom also
to which IL the witness became party he could re-
turn home. The document read. 1t is in the
shape of preamble narrating from the bull-dozing
point of view all things the said Bredas had done to
excite the ire of the good citizens of Natchtoches and
ending with promise, to be signed by the Bredas.
that they would hereafter behave themselves. &c.
Witness stated that the Formally OF signing this docu
ment was respectfully declined on the ground that
Tho he Ale in
ticular.
To Senator Teller-There il no lawlessness among
the negroes miserable individuals they hardly dare
strike back; they are murdered there like sheep;
political speeches, calling upon negroes to cut loose
from the democratic party, styled inccndiary
speeches, and never made speech that was not
strictly speech on simply political subjects Jet h me-
crops under their own names there are 100 white
and 1000 coored voters in the parish and there arc
white men who vote the republican ticket than
blacks who vote the democratic ticket; the demo-
cratic majority in the recent election, given in the
official journal, was 1900.
TO Senator Garland the witness gave details of the
organization Of the armed bands: The witness was
Nichols government came into power.
Senator Cameron-Are any prosecutions against
fraudulent voters &C., being carried in any OF the
State courts?
Witness-No sir; for IL so the whole judiciary of
the State would have to be brought to trial.
To Senator Bailey-I state this on hearsay only; Z
know nothing from personal observation.
To senator Cameron-I and my brother were driven
BREDAs TESTIMONY.
Dr. A. p Breda was sworn and testifed.-The rc-
publican meeting on the 2lst of September was held
for the purpose of instructing coorcd people
CARDS the changes which had been made in the mum,
Der and boundaries of the different wards OF the
parish. thatahey might vote intelligently. Wit
corroborsted the testimony OF the previous wit
ness.
Dr. Brcda continuing his testimony, said that the
only speech he ever made was on the day after the
killing of negro in 'Natchitoches. in 1876. in which
speech he said that the law still existent and such
.rr1o warn fvAvr ua0hl
10 Senator Garland-I was Coroner for two terms
while my brother Parish Judge.
WHITE CAMILLA ORGANIZATION.
To Senator Teller-Nearly all the white people
knew in the parish were members of the knights OF
changed afterward to the White League the same
body is now known No. 29S; 1t il and has always
been political organizations think 1t was, because
1t was composed solely of democrats, and because
some of my acquaintance told me they would not
join the POS because of Its political nature besides.
IL il generally understood to bea political club.
ORDERED LEAVE TOWN.
". A. Barron sworn aud testified that he is
resident of Natchitoches. but is native of Missis-
sippi. He said:- fought through the war in the
Confederate army; was Sheriff or Natchitoches up
to 1876" The witness gave an account OF meeting
cccding Of baud Of armed men who INSTRUCTED the
street. The witness left town aud took to the woods.
told to leave town; Mr. Cunningham told
me that the Bredas had been ordered out Of town.
place this committee is called advisory commit
tee. and is composed OF democrats remained
several days; having some business. 1 left to see
my brother In the country l absent
ten days; when l returned Cunningham told
that as tho others had been sent
away had better 90 also the given that
they Cthe democrats) wished all Of the republican
leaders to get out Of the way; that the ruling Of
matters properly belonged to the democrats; before
l left town Mr.. Cunningham told me need go only
far my brothers, and added that could return
after the elections went to Shreveport"
MEMS ExPERIENCEs.
John q. Lewis lcolored) of Natchitoches. testified
that after the sdjournmeniof the meeting. ON Sep.
TENDER 81. his house broken into by body OF
armed with rifles and revolvers; while the party
searching his house for him he hid in some
thick weeds In the back yard; the party were much
excited and threatened Co kill him IL they could ind
him; witness managed to effect his escape from tho
place, and made his way TO New Orle,ns
Raford Bount lcolorcd). Of Natchitochcs. was next
examined. He stated that on september II, in the