Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-06-09
JOINT MEETING OF THE CONSERVATIVE OR.

JOINT MEETING OF THE CONSERVATIVE OR.
eANtzArIoNs
Ioe Joint meeting was then called to order
Saptaln Moore in the chair, and Mr.. A Shep.
herd Secretary.
The Chair stated the JOINT meeting was now
hear any further report which the committee
appointed yesterday to exam inc the returns of
the election may have to make.
MI A. Lloyd said as chairman of the COM
hlttse ne desired TO state that the committee
mad neid no meeting, but it was proposed now
10 hold a meeting of the committee in an ad-
Joining room; but he requested that some ac-
non now be taken upon the report of the com.
mitt<e submitted yesterday.
The Secretary, Mr.. Shepherd, read the re.
port referred to. Published In the STAR of
Nj A: Lloyd said the committee did not
succeed In getting even the duplicate returns
OF election from the commissioners TO the
which the law requires TO be made to those
boards. Ihe committee had nothing TO guide
mem, although II was II was asserted that the
returns nad been made 10 the boards by the
Capt. Moere replied that the gentleman had
stated the law correctly. The Commissioners
the Boards.
Mr.. Lloyd again stated that the committee
had never received those returns, and he de-
sired the convention 10 notice that fact
The Chair stated that no such returns had
been received by the Boards. II was an omis-
sion which, under a former decision of the
Circuit Court, would vItiatA the whole election.
capt. Nalley stated that no such returns had
been received by the lower Board.
Capt. Moore suggested that the Committee
make another demand ON the Register for the
returns, or inquire II he knows any thing OF
MIR. R. w. Fenwiek offered the following:
Whereas the charter Of the city of Washing
''shall make out duplicate certificates of the re
suit OF the election of Mayor, and shall return
one TO the Board of Aldermen and the other 10
the Board OF Common Council on the Monday
next ensuing the election" and whereas f. A
boswell the City Register, has, in violation OF
law, refused TO deliver the returns TO the Joint
committee, as per the report of SAID Joint Com.
ReSotred, That said committee, in yindicatiop
OF the majesty of the law, again wait upon the
Register and demand the returns Of the COM
missioners aforesaid. which are due to the two
Boards, In order that the Joint Convention NAV
decide which of the candidates has the highest
number OF votes, and who shall be declared
mayor OF the city.
Mr.. Fenwick thought the resolution i'm ac.
cordance with the language OF the charter. and
he believed the Councils had right TO declare
the Commissioners. The people charged that
there were frauds in the election, and the
whole matter should be investigated
MIR. Dalton stated that in his opinion these
Boards had met according TO law, and the
failure of the Register to comply with the law
and submit the returns TO the Boards had
vltlated the last election. He was opposed to
giving the Register another opportunity TO
ms ult the people of Washington or their law.
iul represe ntitIves. He did not want another
demand 10 be made on the Register, who had
convention 10 take the necessary steps 10 have
proper election held.
Mr.. McCathran said the demand had been
made upon the Register yesterday for the hal
lot-bsxes, and he had refused. 1t was useless
now TO renew the demand, which undoubtedly
would De again refused. but tney could ask
agaln ior tne returns as furnished by the COM
mlssieners, and thus do their duty acc cordjup
10 law. They could then appeal to the nigh
law OF the country 10 settle all disputes: and
be called upon all good citizens to be calm, and
all shouid De careful to simply act in accord.
ance with law. and what they belle we'd were
the rights of the people of this CITY under the
quarter. He therefore moved TO amend the
resolution by striking out the words ballot.
boxes
Mr.. FenwIck withdrew that part of the reso.
luton, as he had no desire TO do anything ex.
eept IN accordance with law. They had come
here determined TO lay down their lives il need
be-, IN defence Of the law and Justice.
Mr. A. Lloyd said he had no assurance or
guar antee that the committee would get the re.
turns. The committee wanted the original re-
turns, those made on the night Of the election
or early the next morning. Should they now
accept any returns which the Register mighr
choose 10 give II would not be right. How did
the committee know but what those returns
had been tampered with, and If such returns
should be accepted the committee would he
bound oy them The original returns, and
those only, were wanted. False returns if
accepted, could be used as evidence against the
oond .hde cltizens W who claim that wrong has been
committed Ballots and all papers returned by
the commissioners are wanted by the COMMITTEE
IN order thar justice could De done to the bona
noe citizens of the city. He wanted TO have
Washington would not be satisfied until this
was held. The ballot boxes and ballots were
IN The vaults of the Registers office and the
committee could not get them without resort
ing to force, and that he did not adyo Ter
the other side use force and fraud. bat he de-
sired the Conservative citizens TO proceed ac.
eoIding 10 law. 50 tar they had proceeded ac-
be continued. II the committee could not get
hold OF the ballot boxes they could summon
the Commissioner of Election, and if they
refused TO come, the affidavits Of prominent
citizens Of Washington who witnessed the
election could be taken, and il the Register
still refused 10 give up the ballot boxes, the
next legal course could be taken.
MIR. McCathran remarked that two of the
prominent newspapers OF Washington took the
Precaution to procure certified copies OF the
returns IN The wards, and il fell to his LOT TO
gather up the returns from the five precincts i'm
his ward for the InteLi9eHcer, and also attempted
10 get them for the Chronicle; and these returns
Were primo rae evidence that the returns made
10 the Register had been tampered with. He
hoped III God that there was no man so vile as
10 alter the returns. The question was whether
they should again make the demand of the
Register. So tar as insults were concerned
gentlemen never insult each other The
courts must settle this question, and he wished
IL 10 be settled peaceably. He would counsel
his friends 10 be calm; and he had no doubt but
that right wocId triumph.
Mr.. Morsell said, as one Of the members of
the committee, he would not again submit him.
self TO insult by the Register.
= ~Gr. Fenwick said that the insult should NOT
be regarded as one TO individuals, but TO the
majesty Of the charter.
Mr.. FenwIck thought the preliminary stems
Were set forth in his resolution.
Mr.. Moore again read the resolution, and il
was unanimously adopted.
The committee appointed yesterday to exam
Inc the returns, retur ned TO the room, and Mr.
A. Lloyd, the chairman, reported that the com.
mittee had again endeavored 10 get the boxes
but Were unsuccessful. They also asked for
further time, and for power to send for persons
and papers, and authority TO employ such coun.
sci as they deemed advisable, which request
was granted.
The Chair said he had on the table several
affidayIts relating 10 the election.
Mr.. MeCathran moved that they be referred
10 the committee without reading; which mo.
ton was adopted.
Mr.. Dalton moved that the Joint Con yention
take a recess until tomorrow evening at ave
O'Clock; which motion was adopted, and the
wings adjourned
THE CONsERvATIvE ORGANIZATION OF CON.
MON COUNCIL.
The Circuit Court having convened in the
room on he east eide, the eastern door TO the
chamber was closed by VIM. Day, one of the
coiored employees on the court side, but the
messenger 10 the Board, elected by the Con-