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Show KAMHI.V.lO. CBtJoued Story of "Tliut Mil-lion Mil-lion Dqltara." To be Continued lu Our Sext. WaehmK-1. 31. Speaker Randall having decided to appoint two democratic demo-cratic teilwrs to count the electoral votes, President Ferry will appoint two republicans. Ferry desired that one of each party be appointed but Randall demurred. The first installment of $:)00,000of Mexican claims duo to tho United Stale under the convention of 1808, was paid to the secretary of state today to-day by the Mexican minister. At the request of Senator Sargent tho postal service between San Jose and New Almaden has been increased to a tri-woi;kly, commencing February Febru-ary 15th. The department has also ordered tho re-establishment of the1 mail service by the coast route between be-tween Los Angelas and San Bueua- ventura, but makes it a tri-weekly j instead of daily, as uimurly. TUo service by railroad is continued. The I postmaater at Kingston, Fresno county, having resigned, and no recommendation re-commendation for auy successor being be-ing at hand, tho office is in danger of being discontinued for want of an applicant. The salary is about $300 per annum. Senator Gordon being jil and unable un-able to speak at present on his Pacific Paci-fic railroad sinking lund bill, the final voto on the pending propositions in the senate will probably be postponed several days. The senate claims committee to-day rcporls adversely on the petition and bill for tho relief of Captain Samuel Adiimi, who has for a number ot years urged a claim for about Silo, 000 as compensation for exploring tho Columbia river region. The senate concurred in the rccommeuda tion of the committee and formally rejected the claim. The select committee on privileges of the house had before it to-day two witnesses who gave testimony of a highly important character, aflccting the integrity of the Louisiana returning return-ing board testimony. John T. Pickett, sworn and examined, exam-ined, Baid: I am an attorney-at-law; a resident of Washington, D. C. Question Have you in your possession pos-session a letter from Wells of the Louisiana returning board? Answer I have. l. Will you produce it? A. (Handing it to Mr. Field) It is what purports to be his handwriting. I : am not familiar with it. Field read the letter as follows: Ket Orleans, Nov. 20. 76. (Names cut out.) New Orleans, Louisiana: iky Dear Sir. You fully understand under-stand the situation; can you not I advise with me relative thereto. Yours, very truly, J. Madison W'eixs. 1 i Q. State the circumstance of your receiving thifr letter-and- what was done in relation to it. Witness On; the Thursday preceding the last Sun-1 day of November, 23d, gentlemen, with whom I havo been acquainted, fur over a quarter of a century came toj my office, having just arrived from Louisiana, where I had known him quite intimately a quarter of a century cen-tury ago, and gave mo a full history of the state of affairs there, arising out of the late presidential election. He said he had been spending a week or ten days in New Orleans. This gentleman delivered to me that letter. He stated that he had been some days in New Orleans. I knew that, for I had notified my democratic irieuda down thero of the fact of hia having gone thither, and that he was an exceedingly dangerous man to our people, meaning the democratic party, inasmuch as he had been a resident of New Orleans in former years, and held a high position there, in Bociety and otherwise, and tsey might not have known that he was now a member of tho republican party, and an emissary as 1 believed from government touching how the vote ol Louisiana should be counted, and Btating that from my personal friendships for him of long standing, I hoped that if there should bo a disturbance dis-turbance there, as had oocurred on previous occasions, no harm should befall him. By some means he obtained information of my having written such a letter, and when he came back to Washington he repaired to my office and suited to me fully the condition of affairs in Louisiana. He said that ho believed, and others believod Louisiana was democratic bv from 8,000 to 12,000 majority, but that money would decido how her electoral voto would bo thrown; that his sympathies were with his south and that he had in his possession, posses-sion, which ho exhibited to mo, sealed, a letter purporling to be from Mr. Wells to Senator West, My informant in-formant said: "I have read this letter. It is sealed, and I cannot open it, of course, nor would I havo you do it if you would, but it informs Senator West that the democrats had put up a million of money, and that wo (meaning republicans) would need a million down thero to Bettle this thing, to counteract that," Ho said he did not feel disponed to deliver that letter; that it was not obligatory on him, aud that if he followed the wishes of his heart and dictates of his judgment, he would endeavor to have this gentleman supplied with what they need, so as to determine the result, and he asked me whether I had any objection to cooperate cooper-ate with him. I said professionally I cannot, but in view ol the magnitude magni-tude of the interest at stake, i. have no hesitation to do all in my little power. The result was that after one or two long conversations extending over a portion of tho next day, and alter soma preliminary reduction of points to writing, I repaired to New York, and there had an interview with several gentlemen, eminent in the democratic party, to whom I fully related all those antecedent facts. I had but one letter, that which I havo already produced to the committee, -ind in order to conceal the name of tlK party to whom it was addressed, I cu-:f. outt but I havo it with me properly Jrientified. I arranged with him certain -,relimioaries. Q. Did jou the loiter to Senator Sena-tor West? A. I bxW the sealed letter, I did not see its stents, but this gentleman voluntarily elated to mo its contents, tho chief ixjriion of which was that tho democrats had to pay one million dollars, and that the republicans want one milliou dollars to counteract that. t. The gentleman with whom ycu had t::s conversation w, you sa , within thii building now ? A. He wus here this morning. I came up to the capitol with him. , By Lawrence Wno is the gentleman gentle-man ? A. His lull name is Jodephj Harris Maddux. ! l. Did he give you any other paper than this letter purporting to he from Wells '! A. Nothing in the J siiape of a Utter or credential. e nUiade some notes oa to tlie basis on ; which ho proposed I should endeavor ' to negoti tie ailairs. I.. What were you to negotiate? A. I was to negotiate, if possible, money enough to pay for Governor Wells and his fellow members of the returning board to do what 1 considered con-sidered right and proper, that is to say, to determine the state for Tildeu. Ue informed me that they would give it for Hayes unless they wtr p Aid to give it tor Tilden, under which circumstance cir-cumstance I felt justified in doing all in my power, lesi I might regret it ever hercalter, to attain the great nd. The gentleman with whom I endeavored to make the negotiation, I am happy to eay, informed me that had our positions twen reversed, if he had been in my plce aud I in his, he would have done precisely what 1 did. Q, The thing which he proposed to you was that you should makethe nec-mury negotiation to get Well" and tiie returning board to givo the state to Tilden; is that it? A. He informed me that the state of Louisiana Louisi-ana was certainly democratic by 8,000 to 10,000 votes, but that it would bo counted for Hayes by the returning board. He knew its complexion; com-plexion; ho had been acquainted with Wolla twenty-eight years, he said, and with Anderson nearly as long. To get them to do what was right I assented to see these parties at Ilia instant:', and to endeavor to aee it a negotiation could bo made. Q. In other words your object was to raise money? A. Mont undoubtedly, un-doubtedly, not for myself, but for this great object. Q. And the money was to be given to Maddox? A. No, not to be given to him. A stakeholder would have been sent down, Q. Who was to be stakeholder? A. That was to be determined by those who would supply the sinews of war. Q. Whom did you see in New Yoik? A. I endeavored first to see Mr. Hewitt. Ho was out of town that day, Sunday, but a note was sent in the evening that he had returned, and I did not see him. Previously 1 saw Mr. John Morrissey, with whom I had some slight acquaintance. I Btat.d theae facts to him. lie said that while he hud no particular compunctious com-punctious in paying a man to do what was right, ho did not feel that i he was in tnut necessity, rie saiu that ho would buy these lellows as readily as ho would buy pigs, or words to that effect, in which I coincided coin-cided with him, in the interest of forty millions of people; but he said we all knew Tilden ws elected, and that he had just received, or the publio had just received re-ceived information from Oregon which made it unnecessary to resort to any such measure. That was about the purports! my conversation with Morriisey. Q. Did you receive any money from him? A.- Not auy. Q Did you aee Mr. Hnwitl? A. In the evening I saw Hewitt and went over the whole story to him, to which he listened very attentively and kindly. I told him that while I hiul hppn nn nLl.lnfnnv.at-. Inw fnr t.Pn had been an attornoy-at law for ten or twelve years in Washington I had never used a dollar corruptly, and never expected to, but in this instance in-stance I felt the approval of my conscience, con-science, upheld by duty, in presenting present-ing the thing to him, and be Baid that were our positions reversed be would have done precisely the same. He said this was the third proposition of this kind that had been made to him on the part of tho returning board in Louisiana, but that mine appeared ap-peared the most plausible and. au thontic, and that under no circumstances circum-stances would thoy entertain any such proposition; that if we bought them now we would have to buy them ever hereafter; that if the country was getting into civil war we might as well let it come and be done with it; but that he bad no apprehensions appre-hensions of any such result, and that the country knew Tilden was elected. That was about the purport of our conversation. Q. Was anything aaid between you aud Maddox as to bow much of tho money he Bhould have ? A. There was nothing said as to how much he Bhould have. That was his ullair. He said that if I could succeed suc-ceed in making the negotiations he would see that I should be very handsomely compensated; that 1 should have a certain per centage. I said I would take the money, for I would regard it as spoiling the Egyptians, Egyp-tians, and would distribute it among the widows and orphans of the south. Witness stated that he had been a colonel in tho confederate service, chief of staff .-To General Breckeuridge in one campaign and volunteer aid in another. Joseph H. Maddox, cpocial revenue agent, was examined. He refusal to explain the meaning of telegrams which passed between himself and Pickett. The following telegram was read : C, M. Calvert, 70 Custom House, Xew Orleans: Hold. Will telegraph you Monday ovening. Joseph Hancock. Witness testified that this dispatch was sent to Calvert, an intimate friend of Wells, but it waB understood the tolegram was for Wells. Witness declined to explain tho meaning ol the word "hold" in the above mes- Field We have got so far on tlu story that I now ask if you are noi willing to tell us the whole truth! The witness I am not, and I do no! feel really able to go into it if I was willing. Q. Did or did not Mr. Wells negotiate ne-gotiate with you for the votes of the Louisiana returning board. A. I decline to answer. Q. Did he authorize you to negotiate? nego-tiate? A. I decline to answer. I Q. Do you know whether ho Authorized Au-thorized anybody to negotiate. A. I do not know of my personal knowledge. know-ledge. Q. How came you to make tho memorandum which I have read in evidence, beginning "For one million ot dollars?" A. 1 do not desire to explain it at present. If I explained that I would have no hesitation in answering all other questions. If I can properly do so I will answer the questions after I have considered the matter and consulted my attorney. I do not want to cause any unnecessary delay or bo captious, nor to go through any scene or to go before the house. If I am compelled to give evidence, I will give it. Burchard Did you see Wells write, a letter to yourself which has been produced here? A. Ye.; I dictated and he wrote it. The committee, after the examination examina-tion of other witnesses, adjourned till 10 o'clock to morrow, when Maddox will be recalled aud asked to state, without reservation, all the facts in the case. The Tribune's Washington; says: Pickett acknowledged to-day that he expected to receive a largo commis sion for collecting the million do.lars; not that he wanted the money, but wanted to distribute it among the widows and orphans of dead con federate-., as he had done with the $7 0,000 J he received from government for tne 1 rebel archives. Tuis announcement i was greeted with shouts of laughter. from the committee. Tne manner ol conducting the whole investigation is unfair. Field h otlWiiiv-, ilieg! and dtshoue.t in his meinods. He allows no close cross exammalicu by republicans, but rapidly goes from one sensation to another, letting the light shine on only one side of theso stories. ,. The Tribune's Washington tells ot tho terribly rigorous and unkind treatment of tho returning board by the houae sergeant at-arms, Thompson, Thomp-son, and the unheard of privations ttry euduro. The most exciting scene of the tsesnion occurred in the evening session ses-sion of the houae, when republicans were persistently snubbed by Randall, whooe rulings were palpably partisan and unnarliamcntary. The electoral commission this . afternoon adopted rules for their gov- j eminent, drawn up by Edmunds. , The sessions will bo public, but very few will be admitted. The first rule , provides for the appointment ol a' secretary and two asaiutauts, a mar- shal and two deputies, a stenographer J and messengers. The Becoud rule j allows counsel to talk two hours on disputed subjects, with fifteen minutes on interlocutory questions. Kuls third allows congressmen who object under the law to certificates, to select two of their number on each side lo arguo thoir objections, time being limited to two hours on each side. Rule four provides for hearing application appli-cation for process for witnesses and , papers. Rule 6ve provides that the , president of the commis-iiou Bhall regulate the admission of people to the open sesaiona. Rule six provides that the sessions be open, except when the commissioners are consulting. Republicans here are congratulating congratulat-ing each other on the choice of Bradley Brad-ley for the fifth justice, and democrats are despondent over it. Thfl Trihnnfi'a Washintrton con siders that Field's coram it tee is taking tak-ing testimony which is ridiculously false and infamous and a part of a great conspiracy. Field, to-day, says he will hear no moro witnesses, so that parties criminated cannot testify in their own behalf. Govornor Noyes of Ohio said to-day that he sat by Wells' side when tho latter wrote the letter adduced before tho committee. Ho understood the letter was written simply as a letter of introduction designed de-signed only to toll tho recipient that the bearer was conversant with Louisiana Lou-isiana affairs. Inter-Ocean's Washington. Maddox, Mad-dox, though refusing to answer any questions put to him, evidently attempted at-tempted to convey the impression that Pickett's Btory was correct. The republican theory is that Pickott and Maddox expected to make money out oi New York gamblers by pretending that they were commissioned to make a sale in Wells' behalf. The Times' Washington mentions Pickett's testimony as the most crushing and disgraceful yet adduced concerning the returning board. Charles O'Connor arrived here this evening. The committee on the Florida election elec-tion reported to-night. Xhey say it is difficult to conceive of a more wanton attempt to defeat the will of the people and impose on the state and country officers not of their choice, than is here presented. The fact has been judicially ascertained that tho persons named upon the returns as having received toe highest high-est number ol votes were elected and the committee eubmit that in order to ascertain who were chosen presidential electors the house has only to look upon the face- of the record and read the words and figures which determine that result. The committee are of tho opinion that facts have been judicially determined that Hayes' electors did not receive a majority of the votes cast at tho election, and in this is involved in-volved a denial of their right to caet their votes as presidential electors, and no determination other than that which has been made by the supremo court of Florida is required to show the act of these electors in casting their votes for president and vice-president, is illegal and void. All tho papers before the canvassing board, applying to them all the statutes of Florida, will give ninety majority for Tilden and Hendricks beyond dispute. |