The true Democrat., 1856-10-21

poll books, count and examine tickets
 Richland township was first taken up, and on counting and comparing, it was ascertaned, that Brown had received 61 instead of 86 votes, and Cottrell AS instead of 23 votes In Jasper township, Brown had received 50 instead of 73 votes and Cottrell 94 instead of "A votes. In Van Buren township, Brown had 94, and Cottrell 167 votes. In Lees Creek township Brown had AZ and Cottrel 39 votes. Lafay- cite township, Brown had 79 and Cottrel 19 votes In Mountain township, Brown had 76 and Cottrell A votes
 By this count it appeared that Cottrel had been elected by few votes-the result being the same in all the townships as certified by the judges and clerks, except Richand and Jasper, in which last townships mistake had been made by the judges and clerks, agreeaby to the face of the tickets, in Browns favor. In Richland 25 votes, and in Jasper B votes making in all AS votes to be taken from Brown and added to Cottrel which elected Cottrell by a few votes. This difference between the re- suit as certified by the judges and clerks of the
 
 made by the court was almost astounding to every person in the least acquainted with the judges and clerks. They are known to be men of intelligence, sober habits and unimpeachable honesty. On close examination by Walker twenty five tickets of the package from Rich- land were found to be scratched, or the printed name of Brown marked out, and that of Cot trell written with pencil. Twenty-three of the package from Jasper had met with the same fate. Making in all 48 tickets changed by marking out the printed name of Brown and writing with pencil the name of Cottrel. By this discovery, the mistake was at once accounted for It was apparent that an outrage had been perpetrated. The scratching and changing had all been done with pencil, and thought to be in the same hand writing.
 Walker then asked the court to compare the numbers of the altered tickets with similar numbers on the poll books, in order that the names of the electors casting the altered tick cts might be ascertained subpenas issued, and the voters brought immediately before the court to testify for whom they voted, and whether their tickets had been changed or not. This move was opposed by the council for Cottrell, and arguments made against examining the voters, for nearly two days. Late Thursday evening the court decided in favor of examin- ing the voters. Jmlge Collins, pizertnctuna, Har- vy $. HoaoeN associate justice, and '. 4. BoJ6, justice, Kno,o Nothings, discenting.
 His honor, the presiding judge, become in- dignant at this decision, rose from his seat and was understood to say, that the decision was an outrage upon law, common sense and decen- cy; he would therefore adjourn the court, and thereupon ordered the sheriff to ad ourn court. His honor, associate justice Howell, the Jack all Bobb, were all very soon taken with leav- ing-not long after the gumelastic lawyer, clerk and Humphreys followed suit.
 Fortunately for the cause of justice major- lty of the justices of the county were left in their seats Walker made speech to them in which he urged them not to be deterred, on account of the presiding judge leaving. Said that majority constituted court, and notwith- standing the presiding judge had ordered an adjournment, 1t with them to decide whether the matters in controversy, then before them should be investga ted or not; he hoped they would maintain the dignity of the court, and do justice to the parties concerned in the controversy. Be it said, to the honor and cre- dit of the majority, that they were not of the character of men to be deterred from perform Ing their duty, by the retiring of the presiding judge, and his followers, the two Know Moth. ing esquires.
 Neither were they to be deterred by the in- dgnant retiring from the cause of the three Know Nothing counsellors They were stead fast, and without delay proceeded to proper investigation of the matters iii controversy.
 Witnesses were brought before the court to testify to the handwriting of the person who performed the diabolical deed, of changing the tickets
 Jesse Turner, esq, examined, and readi- ly gave it as his opinion, that the tickets had been scratched.
 Mir. Turner is a man of strong party feeling, but gentleman of very high sense of honor; one who would be as far from countenancing fraud as any man.
 Several other witnesses were examined and all agreed with Mir. Turner, in the opinion that base fraud had been perpetrated The pale faces and agtatei appearance of some t,co or three a0'so '0ere examined, toaching the hand- -ao,7ting made an impression on me hat aoaN not be easi7y forgotten.
 
 On Friday quite number of voters, whose tickets had been scratched, were examined and all testified that they voted for Brown, and that their tickets had since been changed.
 Cottrell and all his lawyers, on the same day gave up the case, without completing the ex- animation of the whole AS electors. whose tick. cts were changed.
 Browns majority, as first reported, is 80 votes.
 Thus ended the investigat ion of controver- sy out of which the most startling develop ments have been made, showing the basest forgery, and an attempt to steal from AS free men their suffrage, and to rob man of an office given to him by the people, In point of atro city, nothing can equal this diabolical affair, even the ballot box stuffing in California does not surpass it.
 It is almost frightful to contemplate such baseness-such utter depravity-such total want of all that is noble and generous as char acterizes this villainous forgery, and attempt to steal. have given you correct account of this foul affair.
 The reported speech of the elastic man, may not, in all things, be correct; in substance it cannot be far wrong.
 The contested case of Talkington against Mclean is now progressing, developments of the same character have been made in this. as in the case of Brown and Cottrell As soon as this matter is decided, I will advise you of the