The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-11-04
BUSINESS:
Examination OF the Beaufort Conn
M. missioners.; - ~ -',S.''

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The case of the commissioners OF election
a. Beaufort County, who were arrested upon I'M
charge Of tampering with the baiiot:bo1e5 ant
oriblng voters, came up before United States Com
missioner Porteous yesterday, the Hon. D. 7
corbin appearing for the prosecution, and II. P
O'Connory Esq, for the defence
Colonel VIM: Elliott was the first witness exam
ined, the substance Of whose testimony IS as fol
lows: That heis resident OF Eeanfo.: and va!
present at the election there the 18th Of OCTOBER
Three or four days previous to the election III
had. as county chairman Of the Reform party
applied 10 Mr.. Williams, the chairman OF th'
board OF commissioners Of eleco0n LOT tnt
county, to make some arrangement Tor guarding
the ballot boxes. and for having commit
tee from each party with them from
the time OF voting to the counting OF the
votes. Williams replied that the boxes were te
be put in his house, and refused to permit them
to be watched Colonel Elliott was present at the
counting of the votes for several days as mem-
ber OF the committee representing the Reform
party, but was not q member Of the committee ol
citizens appointed by the town for the purpose OF
(! insur1ng fair play. He examined the ballots as
they were taken out OF the boxes, and kept llss
Of the votes which tailed with the list kept BY the
commissioners. There were several instances OF
double votes rolled up tightly together. one OF
these occurred at Paris Island, where both rotes
| were counted. He objected to this. and suggest
ed to the commissioners that, in such cases. the
law was that the double vote should be thrown
ont. Langley said such was not the
should count as one; but that he would
make q memorandum OF oil such cases, and for.
ward 1t TO the board Of state canvassers. In the
St. Helena White Church, box there were three
ballots for DeLarge rolled up together, which
were evidently. put in the box together. The
boxes were not watched, as lie considered IL use.
less, In the interests Of f.the Reform party, 10
watch the boxes, as there had been ample time
allowed for tampering with them; but he suggest
ed TO BoHen's friends that they had better keep
sharp look out. Some Of the ballots had one OF
Mr.. Bowen,s initials omitted; this was evidently
amls.:,ke In printing, as the impression Oh tne
C. was on the paper. but was not mixed. Inc
ballots for &C. CO.. Bowen and &C." Bowen were
kent separate. At Coffin Point there were ESQ
names on the porl lists, and only 20s ballots IN
the box The list was not signed by the mana
gers. At Hickory Hill the list contained l"s
names, and the box only 12e ballots. Was not
present at the opening Of the poll at Beaufort,
but Was there a few minutes afterwards, and at
the closing of the polls. Did not see tue boxes
sealed, but understood that 1t was done; otner
gentlemen from the committee attended TO IT..
Representatives Of both. parties, and OF each fac'
ton In the Republican party, were present az the
polls. The count was made at the sherin'5 once,
and all three OF the commissioners were
present at the opening OF the boxes. There
were five instances OF double ballots at
Gardner's Corner. There was no objection made
To his being present at the counting Of the votes
One OF the receptacies OF the votes was poWder
kee. The boxes were opened hurriedly; some
| times before they had finished one box second
one was opened. After the arrest OF the COM
mlssionere, as the legal adviser OF the shern ne
had endeayored to obtain their release upon oaii'
busthe ball was refused by Mr. Judd, the United
States marshal, and ne was told that he should
have to come t. Charleston as q witness. ~
Mr.. Wm. ]. yerdier was next examined, and
his testimony corrooorated that OF Colonel Elliott,
as did also that OF Messrs B. B. Sans and John
C. Barnwell Mr.. Verllier also stated that ne as
sist.d in sealing the boxes, and was chairman OF
the committee OF citizens appointed by the town.
That at Myrtle Bush and at Chtsolms Landing'
there were two Bowen tickets folded together.
One Of the boxes used for ballot box was an Or
di;iary store box without lock; .here was atso .
powder key and 8 valise or trunk usel as poAes
oAt Pocotaliyo the poll Hsthad six hundred ana
thirty-ive names numbered, but there were actu-
aliy ak hundred aud sixty seven names upon it,
while there were only three hundred and seventy:
seven ballots In the box. The list was signed by
the manager. There were no marks onthe box
to show that 1t had heen opened; It was locked
/ and sealed, aud the names o. the managers were
written upon the slip OF paper which was placed
oyer the hole in the top OF the box. AT People q
t:the box had one more ballot than the poll list
called for. AT Glllisonville the box was seventeen
in excess ofthe hst. At Beaufort there were two
lists one not being suiclent to contain all OF the
names. The list kept by him diners slgatyFiro
| that kept by the clerk OF the commissioners. Of
election. His list had eleven more ballots than
the poll list had names, and the clerks list had
thirteen. He did not hear the commissioners
offer any brsbe to voters. only irregularity
which occurred at the opening Of the poll was
that at first the voters were not sworn. There
were two private seals on the box. No objection
was made to the inspection OF lhe boxes, but nc
one ouered to do so. He sealed the BeaufortfooS
| in the Town Hall, and the others ut Wiams's
house. At Pocotaliso the list was so badly writ
ten as to be In some pIacts almost lleGible. Sew
eral oS the names had been scratched over. The
Beaufort box was opened at u H., and count ed
until dinner time, when the commissioners ad
Iournejl until 7P. u. The door was locked and
watched In The interval. On returning to the
count things appeared uudlstutbed.
/. Mr.. Lewis said that during the counting OF the
White Church, St. Helena, poll there were severa
double ballots. He knew OF no brloc having beer
offered by the commissioners.
l--Mr. Barrwell saw eight double votes at the ST
| Helena, White Church, poll, six for DeLarge ant
two for Bowen. The poll lists were not signed BY
| the managers. He was present at the count only
one day, Us Langley refused to remain II ne was
permtted to do 80. Mr.. Williams not obiectin2
to his being present, he refused to leave, and
! Langley left, and the commissioners adjourned
| He did not return after the counting had been re
| sumed. Langley's objection was made ontht
| ground that ons FROM each committee was sum
ctenr. ~ II,
Mr. verdier was recalled, and stated that the
seals were stamped with an advertising token In
| the shape OF coin, which was marked "Dew ol
the Alps.n He considered The sealing OF The