The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-08-17
THE BOTTOMLESS PITT.
why Kellogg Made the Agreement
with Blanchard, Catlin & Go.
M,he True Inwardness Of the Campaign
of 1872 Manufacture of b.
gus Election Returns.

p
The citizens Of New Orleans will never for
net the stirring scenes following the election
OF 1872. Many of these events were recalled
III mind by tire publication OF u synopsis Of q
statement made by Walter 3. Long, formerly
chief clerk to B. P. Blanchard, State Regis
trar Of Voters.
The writer recalls wildly some Of the events
of that period, which may again be interest.
Ing, and, In view OF the fact that the Times
publication has brought forth indignant de-
mails from some Of the parties whose names
have been mentioned, no harm to innocent
parties can come from publication Of the
statement itself, which only purports to be
the recollection OF one OF the actors after sew
efal years have passed away. All persons fa-
miliar with current history OF that period are
aware Of the fact that Mr.. Long Ia mistaken
III using the names OF Mr.. Campbell and Gen.
McMillen, and he may be mistaken ID other
details. Campbell stumped the State for Nc
Emery ana McMillen WAS an open supporter
long before the Senators charged with selling
out went over to the Fusion Senate. Messrs.
Cotton and Fellows have denied that they
signed the document referred to, and MS the
reports Ok this matter have been
Heating around for years past, IT
fs perhaps just az well to publish the author
ity for II, and persons who may feel aggrieved
can take such steps as they gee proper to set
themselves right. The substance Of this
statement has been In the possession OF the
writer for over year. and the details, with
additional particulars, were related to him by
w. u. Catlin, one Of theprincipnl actors The
real basis Of the transaction. however, was as
follows:
The original election returns had been car
Tied from the Mechanics Institute to the st.
Charles Hotel, and there delivered to the
Mitchell Forman board Kellogg and his
board OF returning officers were without data
from which to compile the vote, n,twith-
standing which the Hawkins board, by for
gerry and from newspaper reports, concocted
get OF returns.
came Of, in the United States Senate, Kellogg
was infO~med by the Senate Committee the
sref,irr1s mist be produced there. Here was
n dilemma. ut one which the man Of In
finite resource il, deviltry soon surnounted.
Sending for those AZ pSs iaan ~ s,, n I ~
missing returns. a corps IT clerks, discreet
and reliable, were secured, rooms We're
taken over the building now KNOWN rs
the Sun Insurance Company's Office. f 1n,.E
full guards were posted and the WORK
commenced of fabricating complete, set !!
Of returns from every polling place, |
and every parish In Louisiana. Signatures
OF commissioners were forged, together with |
I'll returns were finished, proving that Kel-
1ogg. and bis pirate crew had carried the
election OF 1872.
At this stage Of proceedings Q council Of
would trust Kellogg for their pay; the pre- |
cious documents were hid away; time was
pressing; the Senate committee was calling |
Tor the returns. Blanchard, Catlin q 90. were
memorable. Promises would not pass with
them, and finally terms were agreed upon.
The cash payments were made by Kellogg
and the other stipulations were committed to
writing, and the trunks containing the bogus |
returns, together with. mass OF afiidaylts, |
were taken on to Washington.
The conduct OF Blanchard was not unex-
pected by the Fusion leaders OF 1872; in fact,
before the election OF 1872 and during the can
yass, word was brought to the Fusion COM
mite that Blanchard was negotiating with
the Custom House Radicals to sell out the
State. A man secreted in the deputy col
lectors office hid on top of an armoir, over
heard the interviews, learned all details as
to how and when the nefarious scheme was
to be consummated and the bank In which
the money was deposited. This information
was committed to writing and sworn to
before Andrew Hero, o notary public, and
then Governor, back to the city by special
train and exposed to him the plot. War
moths confidence In Blanchard was such
that he would not believe In his guilt, and,
declining to remove him, acceded to the re-
quest OF the Fusion committee and appointed
prominent gentlemen OF well known nerve,
who. with commission in pocket, supervised
every act Of Blanchard after the election and
In the count OF the votes.
No rvIt,n No fatn mt 49, NJ Ov,l |
will follow with o history Of diabolical at
tempt upon the lives Of several parties, one Of
whom Is an invalid for life. and at least one
more Is said to sleep the deep sleep in order
to hide a portion OF the vi1lainy OF that period.
The mills Of the gods are grinding.
TEN PIuTE. Lincoln Co.. Nevada.
May 3 1879.
Thomas Lynne, ESQ:
Dear Sri have tho honor to acknowledge
the receipt OF yours Of February 25. which ar
rived some time since, having been forwarded |
from Eureka at time when was away. As l
had to leave again for Phoebe on business. / de-
layed answering until my return yesterday.
In regard to the subject matter OF your COM
munieation. must trust entirely to memory 10
any errors OF date Oh. fact mixht be able TO
correct them BY referring to my, my diaries Kept at
time s e m oynr 70
place. to be forwarded # needed,
You ask Ia regard to q certain contract or
tween William Pitt Kellogg formerly Governor
Of Louisiana and now United States senator
from that State. and the late Brainerd p. !
Blanchard. formerly State Registrar OF Voters ,
OF that State. and others.
This agreement, dated as far as can remem
lows:
First.,B P. Blanchard was TO produce GER
tain evidence ne alleged to be In his possession
as TO the manipulation and management of the
registration of voters prior to tho general cleo
ton OF 1872 aud the conduct Of that election In
the interest Of what was known as the Fusion =
DartY, q combination 81 Democrats. .'Liberals'
and such Republicans as rather followed the | \
personal fortunes Of Gov. Warmoth than the \
principles OF their party. one of which number. \
regret to say. was. being then chief clerk to
State Registrar Of Voters.
Seeond-W. l.. Catlin tcalled Doctor" Catlin). :,
by the same agreement was to testify as to what
he knew about bribery. He was the third party, |
or go-between, who conducted the negotia-
lows Hall Senate and the seven Republican
Senators needed to complete the quorum at