Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1856-01-05
Good Reasons.

The seven jurymen in the case of Bell versus
Huy who gave their decision in favor Of the latter
have published card giving the following reasons
for this decision:
l. Relative to the State Ticket found in the
Justices boxes-it was the unanimous opinion of
the jury that they should not be counted or al
lowed as it was uncertain from the evidence before
them whether Or not the same had been placed
through error Or fraud.
2. On a motion having been made to refer the
question back to the people, Of the jurors who
voted for Mr.. Bell, refused to entertain the propo-
sition on the ground that the city was already i'll
debt, and it would cost an immense sum to refer
the question back.
3. In regard to the Ninth Precinct, all that was
legally known of the vote of the same to the jury
was, that the name of Mr. Hufty had been called
off of 1873 tickets. OF the remaining tickets, a
portion only had been counted off into piles of ten
by the heading of the ticket, mithout any reference
on examination Of the names contained IN the
body of tie same. The commissioners were about
proceeding to call off the names from the tickets
thus counted off into piles when the mob broke in
and DESTROYED and so scattered the ballots that it
was impossible for the Commissioners to proceed
further in the count.
| f. In regard to the vote of the Seventh Pre-
cnct, we desire specially to call the attention Of
the public to the fact that the names Of the differ
ent candidates had been called off from only So
scattered tickets. OF these Mr.. Bell had 50, Mr.
Hufty 10, and Mr.. Perkins 2 for Sheriff. with 6
blanks. The remaining tickets had been counted
off into two piles, by reference to the heading only
as in the Ninth Precinct, without any reference to
names on the same. The three Commissioners
testified positively that they did not know whose
names were on those tickets, and two Of the Com
missoners testified positively their intention to call
Oft the names separately, prior to making return
from that precinct, and that they would not have
made any return without SO doing, as it had not
| been ascertained what names were on the tickets.
| 5. 1t was fully established by competent and
reliable Witnesses that on they day OF election there
were in circulation tickets headed " Democratic
Ticket" with the name of Wicklitfe for Governor,
and that of Joseph Hufty on the same for Sheriff
Now, as it was not knoecn or ascertained whose
names were the tickets counted off into piles in
| the Ninth and Seventh Precincts, and inasmuch as
some Of the witnesses knew of and testified to the
existence of tickets as above described, and others
had not seen such tickets, we adhered to the
Judges charge, Illustrated by the following simie
That did one man hear gun fire and eleven had
not, the one hearing should be believed in prefer
ence to the eleven. By the legal returns it ap-
peared that Mr.. Hufty had a majority of the votes
cast. The evidence submitted to our consideration
we deemed insufficient to vary Or change those
| returns.
| 6. One of the undersigned desires to state that
he voted for Mr.. Bell, and that as far as he had
any preference he was in favor of Mr.. Bell, but
felt it his duty to find in favor Of Mr.. Hufty the
evidence submitted to the jury.
| Having thus made what we deem fair state
ment of the evidence which was submitted to us,
and upon which we were bound to act without par
TALLY favor, submit the same to the public.
And in conclusion, we desire to say that whatever
may be the opinion Of others, we have the salts
fuction of having the appreciation of our own con-
sciences in rendering verdict in favor of Mr..
Hufty, and doubt not that impartial men will ac-
cord the same to the undersigned.
| w. H. MCLEAN,
A. NJ GARCIA,
D. TRosCLAIR,
w. w. WATSON,
ALEX. BAUDIER,
A. SHUMwAY,
AUGUST DUaUERcoN.