The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-11-23
CONTESTED ELECTION.
OF the Board of Aldermen

SIKH pAY-sArUIDAY, NOVEMBER 81, 1858.
The Board convened at eleven O'Clock, pursu-
ant to journment, fourteen members being
present.
George Read, manager OF the third pre-
cipct of Ward 4, testified that the board Of his
precinct was regularly organized, aud that they
administered the oath to applicants for regis
tration. He identified the box of his precinc:!,
and believed the return to be correct.
Dir. John n. Gregg, a manager of the second
precinct of Ward 5, was examined, and testified
that he received no official instructions, but
believed the election at his precinct was CON
newspapers He identified tie box of his pre-
cinct, and believed the return t. be correct,
though ne did not see the other managers sign
it.
Joseph G. Martin, manager Of the second
precinct of Ward 6, testified that he vas not
sworn as manager, but only signed prlnled
torm in presence Of the other managers. he
said that the ballots were scattered over the
floor at the counting. only afterwards gathered
up Then be found that there was some talk OF
q protest. He also testified that negro man
was present at his precinct, wearing a Da4ge,
and carrying club, who claimed to be dep
uty sheriff, appointed by Sheriff Alackey, aad
who nterfered with the election.
Edward Wilkinson, manager OF inc hrs5
precinct OF Ward G, testified that the board
Of his precinct was regularly organized. and
that they required the oath from all persons
registering except few old persons whom the
managers knew. He identified the box Of his
precinct and believed the returns TO be correct.
DR.. Grimke, recalled, testified that the ma
jority Of persons registered took no oath, and
IL, - Nd b. ,n nof
W. r. 81. Hampton, manager OF Waru NO:
7, testified that after the ballots were counted
he took possession OF them and used them for
his own purposes, taking no care OF them.
L. Bunch, q manager of Ward No: g. tesuhei
that at his precinct they had an assistant CLERK
and two assistant managers, End that they al
helped to count the votes, some outsiders
helping to keep tally, but not handling the
votes; he knew nothing of the ballots alter they
were counted. This witness also tcstlhed tnat
the assistant managers dld not administer
the oath, and that some persons were refused
the privilege of voting because other persons
had already voted in their names; he could not
identify the boxes of his precinct, but Delleved
that the return was correct.
J. F..M. Dereef, manager of Ward No. s,
testified, confirming, in great measure, the
evidence Of Bunch. He said that some ten or
twenty persons assisted IN counting the votes,
hut only the managers handled them. In re-
gard to persons being refused the privilege OF
voting on account Of others having previously
voted in their names, the wlness testified as
follows:
stSeyeraI persons were refused the privilege
of voting on account of others having already
voted in their names; one man, upon being re-
jected, went to Major Corbin, who sent wr1tten
instructions that this man should not 0e de-
Erived Of his vcte; but l thought that Major
Corbia had nothing to do with this election, as
l. OBJ al. fI,n WA
finally allowed to vote, though l protested
against it; others afterwards were allowed The
same privilege, though persons had voted in
their names previously; had no idea which OF
the parties in these cases were entitled to vote;
went entirely by the registration list; called
off the registl alton list, and my brother, II. L.
Dereef, tue poll list"
Mr.. Corbin asked him: Do you not reco.lect
that tho instructions said to have been recciv-
ed By you were merely tho expression OF an
opinion that, because the managers were cheat
ed, this man should not be refused tho prlvi-
lege of voting
The witness replied: That was in reference
to two boys who applied to register; we object
ed, and you gave, as your opinion, that they
should be allowed to register.
Tue further examination OF the witness
elected nothing of special interest.
Council then resolved itself into secret ses-
sion.
Alderman Gcddings suggested that the
boxes be taken in charge BY the Aldermen and
the ballots counted in any manner that Coun-
ell may decide upon. He thought an opinion
from the City Attorney Sas ycquisito upon the
matter in question.
Hon. W. D. Porter. City Attorney. said in re-
ply that he considered it the duty of Council at
this stage Of the proceedings to verify the evl-
dences that have been dcduced by az cxamna-
ton of the boxes; that if Council undertook TO
give a final decision now, their whole duty Will
not have boom done. As to the manner OF ex-
sminins the boxes Council may decide for IT..
self.
lowing resolution was adopt,.u:
Reso!oed, That Committee of three mem
bers be appoinr,a to open the boxes that have
been or ms pe identified, and report If thoy
all con..ain ballots; and il they do, that the
be.srd proceed to compare them with the re-
turns Of the managers In public.
Tho Mayor then appointed Alderman Ged-
ding, Dereef and Whilden upon the committee
TO examine the boxes.
The proceedings. in secret session we're Or
dered to be published.
Council then adjourned to eleven o'clock
A, NJ, Monday.