Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 July 1878 — THE INVESTIGATION. [ARTICLE]

THE INVESTIGATION.

Thr examination of Senator Kellogg was resumed on the 13th. Mr. Kellogg said he did not know that any telegram had been sent hr Mr. Hayee to the members of tbe Returning Beard during the progress of toe taunt, and did not remember that he had ever talked with E. L. Weber in regard to ha brother’s “standing firm" to his protest He bad written two letters to Mrs. Janks, m answer to her application for tbe sppoiatment other husband or brother to a place in the New Orleans Custom-House, but did not remember whether or not be referred, in them, to theso-oaUed 'Sherman letter.” Tbe testimoMr./mb that both he and fits wife had corresponded with vitaow for several yews Mr. ,

»693rssJ£,57Sf. , ii'2te5S3: did not oome to Washington at his request, and in his interest. H* did not oonaidn Jamas K. Anderson a trustworthy Republican. Mr. Jcnks he had always thought tobsan hononu bis .gsotlsman ana n good Republican: bnt ho knew nothing of the standing of Mr*. Jenks. Witness stated that he had board, from various sources, of the existence of intimidation in Hast and West Feliciana, but had no personal knowledge of the same. He contradicted the testimony of Kelley. Supervisor of Kn-pland Parish, before the Hnb-Oommittee, denying that he had ever prepared a protest for Kelley as sworn to by that gsnttemsn, Ha bad been Informed by Gov. Packard, weeks before the election, that the vote of the Republicans in East Feliciana would be lost by reason of intimidation. The witness, in response to questions, stated numerous instances in which Republican officers were driven «>nt of their parishes by Democrat* before the election of 187l>. and said be would furnish tbe Committee a list of person* killed, hung and whipped for political reason*, if they so desired. In answer to a question bv Mr. Butler, Mr. Kellogg stated that some of the Commixsionere to visit Louisiana, sent by the President, had been appointed to Federal offioe* and that some of the Supervisors had also received appointments. Mr. Butler asked if anyone of these persoiM had special qualifications for office other than their connection with Louisiana politic*. Mr. Hiaoock objected to the question on the ground that it* tendency was to make the Administration appear ridiculous. Mr. Bntler retorted that it was impassible to render the Administration more ridiculous than it had rendered itself. The Chairman finally allowed the question, and Mr. Kellogg stated that, with the exception of Mr. James E. Anderson, all were competent to perform the duties they were appointed to perform, and men of sufficient character to justify their appointment. After a brief cross-examination by Mr. Hiscock, the Committee went into exeentire session. and adjourned till the 23d of July, to meet at Atlantic City, N. J.

THE LOUISIANA SUB-COMMITTEF. Henry C. Fiske testified, on the 13th, concerning hi* connection with the affidavits of Dix, Hobbs and Williams, that they heard Wilder say Weber did not sign the AndersonWebef agreement, and that Anderson did not swear to it. Witness corroborated the testimony of Hobbs and Williams that W ilder made such statements, but contradicted Williams’ statement that he (Williams) did not read or authorize certain statements made in his second affidavit. Witness said tbe affidavit whs twice read to Williams. Henry Reed (colored) Commiusioner of Elections of tbe Fonith Ward of West Feliciana, testified regarding his affidavit before the Returning Board. Being shown the original, said lie had signed it; didn’t pay much attention to the oath, as he didn't kiss the Bible. Though witness didn't kiss the Bible to-day he was going to tell the truth. Witnes, in detail denied most of the statements in the affidavit, saying they were not authorized, that they had been put in by the writer of the paper, and be didn't consider himself responsible. Charles Geeks was sworn, and said E. L. Weber stopped n few weeks ago at witness’ house; said he was going to Washington and that he had the Sherman letter in his pocket. Isaac W. Patton was before the Committee, on the 15th. and testified that he saw Anderson about October, and that the latter proposed that if the Democrats would support Nash for Congress, be would give them two members of the General Assembly and from 1,500 to 1,800 majority in East Feliciana Pariah; witness ooula not entertain the proposition, but telegraphed for McCabe, in Feliciana, and lie came down and talked with Anderson about his treatment of the people; Anderson finally agreed to go if they would cash his scrip; witness agreed with Mr. McCabe to pay $l6O of the amount. The witness gave Mr. Jenks SSO; Mr. Jenks said be would not take it as a bribe, bnt he would as a loan. A corrected list of the cmploj es of the CustomHouse was received by the Committee from Chief-Clerk Tomlinson. Secretary-of-Btate Strong produced the consolidated statement of the Supervisors of the protested parishes, and pointed ont interlineations and irregularities as to protests, eto„ and delivered the original papers to the Committee.

On the 16th, A. J. Reynolds testified that be walked with Mrs. Jenks at Donaldsonville, in 1877, from Weber’s house to the hoteL Mrs. Jenks asked him if he didn't think D. A. Weber had the Sherman letter on his person when killed. Had a conversation with D. A. Weber after the election; he told witness he was not going t>o make a protest. John Clegg, of Lafayette Parish, Secretary of the Senate, testified that there was no protest or original returns of Supervisor Veasey made up hy witness at Veasey’s request; Veasey swore to them and brought them to New Orleans, where another set was made, throwing out three polls and giving the Republicans 400 more votes than the original statement. J. W. Armstead (colored), of West Feliciana Parish, testified that he made affidavit before the lieturning Board; said it was prepared in the Custom-House; witness never read it. and now denies many of the statements made therein. Andrew Duncan (colored), Republican, of West Feliciana, testified regarding the organization of Democratic colored clubs in the par ish; believed from this fact the Democrats would carry the parish; the negroes complained of bad government, etc.; made affidavit in the Custom-House after the election; the affidavit was not read to him, and he did not know wbat they pat in the paper. The affidavit being read by Mr. Stenger, witness denied most of the statements made therein, and said he did not authorize them; never made such statements. Thomas Steward (colored), of West Feliciana, went to St. James Parish before election, and did not vote; after the election was subptenaed to come to the city and make affidavit; they took him to the Custom-House, but asked him 'no question; kept him there three days; they called him to sign a paper, and then swore him, bnt he didn't know what they put down; they didn’t read it to him; couldn’t read himself. The affidavit as published being read to witness, he denied almost every important statement made in it, saying that he didn’t tell them anything like that; didn’t tell them anything. Witness knew of many colored men who like himselt joined the Democratic clubs.

Several witnesses were Introduced, on the 17th, to prove the bad character of Hiram Smedley, who testified a few days before that he had seen Joseph W. Jones sign Weber’s name to tbe Anderson-Weber agreement; that no one else was present, and that Jones is now dead. Ex-Chief of Police Leon testified that he knew Smedley, and wouldn't believe him under oath. Ex-DuC-AtCy Beckwith testified that he had refused to receive Smedley as a juror on an important case, because he didn't think he should be trusted in such a position. Several witnesses testified that they wouldn’t believe Smedley, and gar* him a general bad ..character, ... s H. Seymour, Notary Public, conkMiftei the statement made b; Smedley a few days ago that he (Smedley) had told the witness the jurat to the Anderson-Weber agreement wan false. Seymour said he never had any conversation with Smedley. John 8. Dula, (colored,) of West Feliciana Parish, testified that be was Pariah Judge in 1876; that he was invited to resign, but didn't resign; made affidavit before the Returning Board charging intimidation, violence and murder; made the statements on information received from others. Tbe cross-examination by Gov. Cox brought out a statement from Dnla that he bad been daily in the company of E. L. Weber for the previous week; that Weber had offered the witness *9OO and promise of a position in the publia school, as teacher, if tbe witness would follow bis (Weber’s) example, recant the affidavit before the Returning Board, and deny intimidation in the parish* s. Weber said he was all ri.ht now; that he had made arrangements with those who opposed him, and thought he would now be safe any where; had acted wisely, and advised witness to do the same, and place himself right before the people of the parish and State. Witness promised Weber he would follow hie examSle. but his conscience wouldn't permit him to oeo. Witness believed Armistead and Duncan, who testified on the 16th, had been paid by Weber; he understood that money was put up by c a gentleman from New York three or four weeks before. Dnla was promised a place in lbs Custom-House. Wituesa received *lO from Weber on the 16th. and $35 today (17th), and was to receive the balance after testifying. Hesaiathis was the only briberycase he had ever had anything todo with; thought it doubtful if colored men could trust themselves w hen there is money at stake. 8. H. St. Martin, of Hi. James Parish, who was Assistant Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms of the SubCommittee on the recommendation of K. L. Weber, testified that be was present in Weber's room when the interviews mentioned by Dnla took place: “ Weber and I room together: we are very intimate: when Dnla first came Weber was not in; Dula and I talked of Weber’s testimony, aud Dula said he believed there was money in it. He said Swaxey would go along with them, but he wanted S2,(XXL Dnla said if he could get $1,500 he ooald manage Swasey, Dula giving witness to understand that he was going with Weber on tbs same line of testimony. Never heard Weber offer Dnla any money, but Weber borrowed ten dollars of witness yesterday and thirty-five dollars to-day, which was paid to Dula by Weber, Dula remark ing that he didn't receive it as a bribe bnt as a loan.” i E. L. Weber was recalled: “Heard the testimony of Dula to-day. Bis statement that I attempted to bribe a false.” Admitted loaning Dula money, as stated brSt-Martin.' Testimony was introduced to show that Seymour, the notary, and E. L. Janks were aoQuaintaaeas.

T. J. M. Clarke (colored), formerly Recorder of Mortgages in East Feliciana, testified, on the 18th. that E. L. Weber, in two or three former interviews with him, wanted witness to recant the testimony given before the Home Committee; the testimony then given was tree; Weber offered him $176 and a position at seventy-five dollars a month if he would testily to suit him (Weber). Dnla also asked witness to go with Weber, «nd said Weber was to give him iDula' $5lO to testify. Witness was certain there was never any organization of negroes in his parish for the purpose of murdering the whites, and that the sxiJored people there never banded together for an nnlawful purpose; he detailed acts of violence by the whites. Geo. A. Sw asey (colored), formerly of West Feliciana. now an employe of the Custom-House in

Committee, and denied that there had teen any organization of MRrou for violence against the white*. WHness was, afraid to rn; bark to hi* tmrmx ‘hsSrimgtoire afomrt Mm was solely "ktiTten Jonestoolored), member of the I**isIstnre from Point Coupee tortrfied that in the foil of 1871 K. U Wsbsr. Hwnsey, Armstend and others oome to hi* bouse one night; said bull-dosen bed been after them, and Weber wanted witness to take him to Water Lee to take the boat for the city: he said they woaldn t let him go mm Bayoa Baza; witness took Weber to Water Lee that Right'.Andrew Duncan and others from Feliciana took refage in witnesa howe. K. L. Weber wo* recalled, and produced * number of letters colled fov by Got. Cox. bnt did not produce copies of hie own letters to W. m. Chandler, as he hod promised, saying that he had not been able «p find them; letters from Anderson and Chandler made inquiry of Weber for information concerning tbe alleged Bhcrman letter. Chandler, under date of March 15, says; “ Mrs. Jenks ana Anderson called on me recently, and told their stories. Mrs. Jenks said she had the letter about which I wrote safely deposited in New Orleans. Since her return to New Orleans she has written me a letter, bat says nothing of the supposed letter. Yon do not inform me why yon think the supposed letter to be genuine, nor where you think it is. If you get any light on the nhlect please inform me."

Judge Morris Marks, recently appointed Collector of Internal Revenue, at New Orleans, testified, on the 19th, relative to the Sherman-Andenon interview, confirming substantially the account of the affair previously published. Anderson came to Washington on pasaea furnished by Marks, at Anderaon's request; Marks refused to go with Anderson to see Sherman, but finally went in company with Anderson and Gov. Hahn, at Hahn a request: * Marks went after Shellabarger at Sherman’s request, while Hahn and Anderson were waiting in another room; Mark* disclaimed intimacy with Anderson. Witness' sending posses to Anderson hod no connection whatever with the Bherman-An-dersen interview: Marks was a Republican Elector, and stated that the first set of certificate* were signed the day the Elector* mot; all were present after the Col lege organised; several seta were signed two or three week* later. Witnesa being shown copies of the first and second set*, recognized his signatures in each case, and explained away the slight difference in the appearance of the signatures: thinks Sheldon, Joseph and Burch were present when he signed the second set; did not know Hill was to take them to Washington. Witness lived in Donaldsonville, Feb. 6,1878; his attention was called to telegrams from Washington in the New Orleans Time* of Feb. 4 about a woman being there representing herself a* Mrs. D. A. Weber; knew Mrs. Weber very well, and, being abont to leave for Washington, called on her; referring to the article, asked her if she knew who the party was; Mrs. Welier seemed much surprised, and, after studying the matter over, said: "It must be Mrs. Jenks," Mrs. Welier then told witness how Mrs. Jenks had come to her house and told of a document D. A. Weber must have had; that if she (Mrs. Jenks 1 could get it she could make good use of it: she could not satisfy Mrs. Jenks until she had gone over all the papers belonging to her husband: that she did then and there go over all of D. A. Weber’s papers, and could not find any such document, and Mrs. Jenks finally left; Mrs. Weber said she wanted this woman shown up as an impostor; that she had never authorized this woman to represent her, ns she had no anch documents; she authorized witness to draw up a letter denouncing the woman in Washington as an impostor; witness hod no pen andink then, but went away, and came back about twelve o'clock; met E. U Weber in the room; he had evidently been informed of wbat was to be done; as she was getting ink and paper Weber asked witness if he didn’t think it unwise for Mrs. D. A. Weber to mix herself up in a newspaper controversy; that if witness found the woman in Washington he could* send him (Weber) a dispatch and then something could be done.