Year: 1877

Testimony Of G, Csssanave.


Washington, Feb. 5.-The committee
on powers, privileges and duties of the
House in counting the electoral vote met
this morning The room was crowded.
owing. to the expectation that Gov. Wells
would take the stand first, as agreed upon
Saturday, Instead, G. Casanave, of the
Returning Board, was called and testified
that he had no knowledge of any altera-
ton Of the returns from Vernon parish,
and had seen none on any paper laid be-
fore the Board.


l had no acquaintance with Maddox,
and had no knowledge of his having any
conversation with Governor Wells in re-
gard to the election. Governor Wells
never suggested to witness to take any
money or other valuable consideration to
affect the result of the election.


Did not know about Maddox having
any conversation on that subject with
Wells; had no knowledge of the returns
of precinct No. 2, from Vernon parish be-
ing burned; had no knowledge of the re-
suit of the election until after the returns
had been canvassed.


Mr.. Field subjected the witness to q
long cross examination, during which
Casanave insted that the Returning
Board in rejecting any precinct or poll,
acted upon the evidence before them,
and that affidavits were before the board
in executive session.


Testimony Of Mr.. Wells.


WASHINGTON, February 5.


The Committee went into consultation
and when the doors were reopened Gov.
Wells took the stand, and was examined
by Judge Lawrence, who handed Wells
the brief note to Maddox of November
Goth, and asked him to state what led to
the writing of this note. Before answer
ing this letter, sho'lld like to ask the
Committee that the letter of about four
pages written by Maddox himself COM
mandatory of his conduct ,as an officer,
addressed to the President ofthe United
States, and signed by me be produced,
because this note stands in connection
with that.


Mr.. Lawrence handed the witness let
ters written by the latter to Maddox and
one to Senator West, and requested
him to make any explanation he might
desire to make concerning them.


At this point Mr.. Maddox entered the
room, and was asked to produce the let
ter referred to by Wells as being written
by Maddox himself, but denied having
such letter or having ever written such
a one.


Mr.. Wells then said he met with Mad
dox in this city about two or three years
ago; l did not meet him again until No
vember IS, when he came to my room in
New Orleans and told he was an agent of
the Government and sent down there to
look into the political situation he ask
ed me for my views; and said he had a
good deal Of conversation with persons
of both parties; that the people were
good deal exasperated against me and
against the Packard Government and
would not submit to its ruling, if it were
sustained l told him if that were so, he
ought to 60 at once TO Washington and
make corresponding report; on Mon
day morning before the meeting of the
Board, he came to my office and said he
was going to Washington told him
was glad Of it; he then laid down before
me long letter addressed to the Presi-
dent commendatory Of his conduct as an
officer which he requested me to sign
and l did so he then asked me to write
further letter giving description of the
condition of affairs; this declined to do
but told him l would give him a note
giving the entree in Washington, this did
not satisfy him and then I wrote the
other letter of credentials; he then with
drew from the room saying he was going
that afternoon at five o'clock.


Next morning Maddox entered my
room when l expressed my surprise at
seeing him; he said that he had not been
able to get off the afternoon previous, I
then wrote a letter to Senator West and
gave it to him saying, l had intended to
send it by mail.


Governor Wells denied any converse.
ton with Maddox about money and de-
MED the million dollar matter. He also
denied knowing of the Vernon parish
vote being changed and said he did not
call his colleagues niggers.


Cross-examined by Mr.. Field:


Q.-Was your letter to Senator West
directed by anybody? A.-Nobody, sir.


Mr.. Field-Look at it, if you please,
and direct your attention to the first par
agraph: II regret much not seeing you
when here. l wanted to say much to
you which would be at least imprudent