The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-11-21


pronounced Radical paper, has this to say
about the returns from that parish and the
manner in which they have been manipu-
lated. The italics are the Republicans:
In another column we reproduce an article
in regard to Napoleon Underwood, Super.
visor Of Elections, and Henry Cohen. Clerk of
our District Court, from the New Orleans
Times of the 18th of November. The Times
is a Conservative-R Republican paper, or, in
other words, the Times is owned by Radicals
and edited by Conservatives and in one
breath condemns the acts OF those honest Off
Gals, and in the next would throw the veil of
charity over their acts by publishing Mr.. I'm
derwood's statement in regard to his action
with gusto, generating him from any bad
intention. It is not onr desire to condemn
any person on ex parte evidence; neither is
it our duty to shield the guilty from the in
terested and outraged public.
| It is well known in this parish, by both Re-
publicans and Democrats that Mr. Underwood
was entreated to compile the returns of the
late election in the parish; but, disregarding
the wishes of the people, he, in company
with the clerk of court, hurried of to New
Orleans, unknown to his clerks, taking the re-
turns, and, with what intention, has since
come to light. Rumor says that the immortal
trio were caught in the act of fixing up the
returns. on or about the sixth day after the
election, in room on Rampant street But,
through the intercession of the Governor, Mr..
Underwood did deliver to the Secretary of the
Returning Board the returns on the seventh
day after the election. Ii certain parties in
terested should speak out, they might inform
the people what influences were brought to
bear upon Mr.. Underwood to get him to hand
in those returns.
Mr. Underwood then disclaimed any inten-
ton to change the returns so as to affect the
result of the parochial oficers-he ",cas only
,caiting to hear from the district, to learn hoac
many rotes ,oould be necessary to elect H. C.
Dibble to Congress"
These statements from Mr.. Underwood may
be true, but his action throughout the whole
peaceable and fair election in this parish. No
threats or intimidation of any kind towards
the clerk of court or supervisor, or any one
else, has even as yet been thought of. Then,
in the name of conscience, what induced
Messrs. Underwood, Cohen & Co. to go to the
city to make out or compile the returns?
The character Of Mr.. Henry Cohen for play
ing sharp tricks is well known in this parish
as several indictments found against him dur
ing last district court will testify his actions
heretofore may well excite grave suspicious in
this instance What was the seal OF our dis
trict court doing in New Orleans? Why were
those ticketsin the room of Messrs. Underwood,
Cohen Il Go. when arrested9 1t is we'll
known fact that good deal of opposition has
been manifested by the Deputy Clerk, Ia
brother to the Clerk to the guarding of the
ballot-boxes at the Court House. Was there
any intention to change the tickets already in
the boxes, preparatory to a contest for parochi-
al positions? Was there anything connected
with those tickets, and the recent trip Of the
Deputy Clerk to the city?
Space forces US to bring this article to a
close, or we would 60 on and explain what
might have been done with those tickets; this
duplicate return which was in contemplation.
Could it have been exchanged for the origi-
nal, certain parties being willing?
Let the people of st. James, be they Re-
publicans or Democrats, frown down such &C
tons on the part Of officials; hurl from power
men guilty Of such charges or compel them to
prove their innocence; then, and not until
then, will we have an honest and Just parish
administration. Swindlers will avoid st.
James, and seek . more congenial cline.
Manufacturing rstarns to order viii cease.