The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-11-19
thursday MORNING. NOVEMBER 10. 1863

the ballots was returned; the box was return
ed. but not bv myself, and I cannot say
whether il contained the ballots or not; 1t
was handed to the Mayor by Quash !;
we had two boxes which remained upon
the table in the hall of the City Court from the
time we commenced to count the ballots until
one was brought up to the Mayor; did not use
two boxes at the Municipal election; we need
but one to receive the ballots; when we COM
menced counting took out the ballots, calling
the names on each ballot of the parties for
whom it was cast; the ballots, as counted, were
ut first placed alongside the box on the table;
subsequently they obtained possession OF
second box; at first the ballots were counted
siugly, calling the names Of the parties voted
for Mayor and Aldermen; at the request
of the Mayor We afterwards counted the
votes for Mayor, and for that purpose got
another box so as to keep them separat'
ed from those counted in full; as the
namo of the candidate for Mayor was called the
ballot was placed in the other box; the ballots
upon the table, already counted, were folded
up by Quash and marked with the number of
votes for each candidate; the tick ITS were after
wards separated into three distinct piles; about
nine o'clock Wednesday night we completed
the counting; took the return, placed it in an
envelope, sealed it with mucilage, and handed
it to the Mayor personally; during the whole
time we were counting the tickets were taken
from the box and handed to Quash; think can
identify the box we had to receive the ballots;
by the time the counting was finished oil
lhe ballots had been taken out and trans
fcrrcd to another box; finding the mum,
Der of ballots in the box. exceeded
the number of votes cast; witness was
blindfolded and drew out eight tickets,
which wero destroyed; some two or three bal
lots rolled up together were also destroyed;
have not seen any Of the ballots since the
counting was finished; Quash, 1 believe, carried
the boxes up stairs to the Mayor; cannot give
anything on that subject Of my own knowledge;
do not soy that Quash had possession Of all the
ballots counted; he had possession OF the bal
lots folded up in piece OF paper; we kept
poll list and took down the name OF each voter;
the poll list was turned over to the Mayor by
Quash in my presence.
In reply by Mr. Corbin: [Return shown to
witness.l That is the rsturn OF Ward No. for
the election of Mayor and Alderman held on
the 10th instant; recognize my signature
IN | those OF my associates who signed
in my presence; will not swear that the
return is absolutely correct; according TO my
belief it is correct; we made two counts Of the
vote for Mayor; in the first and second count
ing therc was difference OF two in the count
ing; in the first Mr.. Lesesne's majority was IL.
in the second IS; as matter Of speculation, 1
believe the second count most correct; acted as
manager at this election under the appoint
mont as manager under the general election;
vas sworn under the general election law,
and deposited my oath with the clerk OF court ;
have acted in good faith under that oath, and
to the best of my ability.
This witness was further examined at some
length, and Mr.. William N. Taft was also cx-
amined, but nothing additional OF any special
importance was elected.
On motion of Alderman Wall, the Board then
| adjourned. W. H. SMITH.
Clerk OF Council.