The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-08-15

jt'InUi lltte respectively.
remain, very respectfully, Your obedient SER
want, ALERT VOORHEES,.
Chairman Confcrtn nee Committee
TATE OF LOUISIANA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
August b. 1874.
Hon. Albert VOORHEES,, Chairman Conference
Committee:
ST. have the honor to ackno Wedge the re-
celpt Of your communication OF the 18th inst.
claiming on the part of the Democratic commit
tees AN equal representation on the list of Off
GERS Of registration throughout the State for tho
purpose of insuring fair election in November
next.
As have already publicly declared earre stly
desire that the coming election should be far III
all respects, untainted by fraud and uncontrolled
by Intimidation violence; and am ready to
cooperate in all just and proper concessions to
secure that end. l am anxiOut to do this, not
only because l think it fair, you suggest but
also because such proceeding will be III triking
contrast with the course adopted towards the
Republican party in this State in the campaign
OF 1872, when the Republican party We're DENIED
representation in every registration Office in the
state, AID when the respectful request OF the
State Central Committee to be allowed one COM
missioner at each poll, on the day OF election,
was peremptorly refused.
From your communication and also from the
request made by your committee yesterday. I'M
lerstand you desire to be that IN all the parishes
of the State and IN each ward of the city the Su-
shall be alternately in one parish Democratic and
in the next parish Republican, in one ward Dem
ocratic in next ward Republicans; and that tie
Clerks of Registration shall be selected in equal
numbers from each party, all the officers conced-
ed to the opposition to be chosen from lists to be
furnished BY the State or Parish Democratic Com
mittee. This would be simply division of pat
ronage, and would net so much insure fair cleo
ton as build up and strengthen Democratic or
ganzation. With due respect suggest that such
demand would be regarded as neither reason
able nor just in any State OF the
Union. 1t is especially inoportune here, in view
Of the violent measures resorted to by the friends
and allies Of the Democratic party in many of
country parishes in organizing leagues to intim =
date and disfranchise the Republican voters, ana
to prevent their exercising the rights which the
constitution and laws of the State and of the
United States have conferred upon them. A
) SIMILAR system Of intimidation and violence III
years past necessitated the Enactment of the old
and election laws and il any seem |
inaly Objectionable features still exist in pre- |
sent greatly modified laws, Their retention is |
solely attributable to the necessity thus created
rigRt to''''iS vie ''''' Ii ut 'AS''' q "-'
Ii a fair election be all that you wish permit |
me to point out how i'll my Judgment 1t can be !
easily secured Under the laws Of the State, the |
Governor appoints supervisor of registration i'll |
each parish and al assistant supervisor in each !
ward of the city of New Orleans. Under the en- |
W of Congress any ten reputable citl /
z. secure the az 2 ,lntmont by the Judge ot
he United States Circuit Court III each parish OF
ward Of supervisor OF their own political faith,
70 watch the action Of the State officer. | am
ready to concede to the opposition one of the two
'egist"atlon clerks il very ward and parish IN
jhe State As registri ton does not CONNIE nee
Ill he LIST of September, | respectfully request
1our committee to lay before me lists OF say five
II SIX names from each ward parish
If persons suitable for appointment as
registration clerks. l understand that
he Liberals and the Independent Gu
If the city also desire to recommend names for
appointment. Of course it cannot be expected
hat shall appoint Guarrelsome or incompetent
PERSONS, who would obstruct registration; but Ii
he names laId before me are those OF peaceful |
aw-abiding citizens. will appoint one regis IA
ion clerk in each ward or parish from E lists
admitted by tho organizations opposed TO the
republican party. If suitable names not
'rousht forward Will then appoint some we'll
nown citizen OF the opposition, whose name
This latter course had alread pursued in those
more distant parishes of the State in which APP
continents had been made previous to your in
eryiew with me and the gentlemen appointed,
feel sure. cannot oe otherwise than acceptable.
10 appointments have yet been made IN the city,
nd will hereafter leave open one appointment
n each ward OF parish for such recommendations
s may be made to me from the opposition
IT, therefore, your desire be that the registra-
ion shall be subject to the scrutiny of Nour
Ihlle making this concession, have the right to
xpect that the opponents OF the Republican
arty throughout the State will concede to each
republican voter the right to register and to
ecord his vote for the candidate of his choice
lthout intimidation or fear of violence. | wish
distinctly understood that, while will so adj
linister the laws and make ouly such appoint
lents to afford every fa'i i'y to the peone OF
Il parties to record their votes, will not for a
loment consent TO surrender the great powers
nd solemn duties conferred upon me as the Chief
Executive of the State to do so would be to COM
nit deliberate act Of bad faith to the defeuseless
oters of the Republican par.y, Wei DIS to ,
,opardize every material interest of the State.
With regard to the commissioners Of election, v
lie law passed by the Legislature co ltains pro- :
sion which has not heretofore existed i'll Lousl-
Ia, that each ,lllng place shall be presided
yer by three commissioners, who shall be Sc
cted from different poll. zeal parties. In thus
'ncedlna to it's opponents representation at
,ch registration Office to scrutinlze every vote
,yIstered whilst the law allows them commits
oner at each polling place to watch over the
,tes cast, and further provides that the votes
lst sha be counted at the polls, it seems 10 ms
lat the Republican party. at least, has done It's t
most to secure a full, free and fair election in
ousiana in NOvem oer next. II fair election
not held, l am satisfied the fault will be a
either with the State Administration nor with g
,e Republican pariV.