The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-03-27
THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION.

The Hon. J. P. Reed, Democrat, who was
elected to Congress from the Third District, in
November last, and whose seat is contested by
Justice Hoge,has been taking sworn testimony
| in Edgefeld, with regard to the circumstances
which prevented the holding Of an election in
that district. Every witness testified that
there were no threats Of violence, that there
would have been q fair ele ,tion and that the
Democratic candidate would undoubtedly have
been elected. The following sworn statement,
made by gentlemen whose words even Cover
nor Scott will find it difficult to doubt, is sufi-
cient to dsprove every charge brought by the
Radicals against Edgetield District:
That they are residents of Edgefeld Village,
and resided here at and before the late Con-
gressional election for the Third District; that
there was no combination, conspiracy or
agreement" by or between any persons what
ever, as far as their information and belief ex-
tion on said Sd day Of November, 1868, and that
there was general feeling OF anxiety among
the citizens to have fair election, and with
that view, the said r. G. M. Dunovant and the
said NJ. c. Butler state that q proposition was
made to the representatives Of the Republican
party, to arrange 80 that one party might vote
the first six hours Of the day and the other the
latter six hours.
These deponents further state, udder oath.
that short time previous to the said election,
the freedmen held large meeting in the in
terest OF the Republican party, in the public
dressed for hours by their speakers without
molestation or hindrance that upon tLe same
occasion there was q meeting of Central Execu-
tive Democratic Club. attended by quite a
number OF Democratic citizens from the courl-
try; that they heard of several other meetings
of the freedmen in different parts of the
county, with which there was not the slightest
interference. These deponents further state
nv r,Q t1n DO AZ
their power to procure an election, and the
said NJ. Q. Butler states that, as president of
the Centre! Executive Demo ocratic Club, he was
people ), and that they were anxious to have
every possible precinct open on the day OF
And these deponents further state it as their
belief that IL there had been an election. the
H"c. J. p. Reed, the Democratic candidate,
would have received q majority Of the votes OF
the county that the Commissioners OF EIec-
tlons were, as these deponents were informed
and believed, Republicans in principle, and
that their refusal to act was one of the causes
why an election was not held; that come weeks
prior to the said Sd day of November petitions
we're sent by citizens in some parts Of the
county to Governor Scott, requesting him to
recommend to the Legislature the opening OF
all the voting precincts for the convenience of
the people, and ii any action was ever taken
notice Of it.
These deponents further say that they have
heard the testimony of General Nj. w. Gary
and W. F. Durisoe, Sr., Esq, and corroborate
the same as substantially true.
And these deponents further state that the
Hon. j. P. Reed was invited by the Dem.
oo.cratic Club of Edgefeld Courthouse to visit
the county, and canvass for the election.
thereby evinciDg their intention to go fairly
into the election that the Hon. J. p. Reed
dld canvass the county prior to the election.
r. G. M. DUNovANT,
T. w. CARw1LE
G. A. CHEATHAM.
M. O. BUTLER