New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-12-15
TUE RErURuMa BOARD ABD IT'S fERs
eEOUTORA.

- 11r1u - = - =
rHE RErURnma BOARD AND IT'S HERs
eECUT0RS.
The Picayune ard other DsnoOraae pa
pers throughout the State have been sorely
exercised because the Returning Board
has not completed its work before this'
and argue from this that tie board is
meditating some great wrong We think
the Democratic counsel in attendance on
the board, and who have witnessed the
entire examination. of the returns, ought
to set those papers right on this subject,
SO far at least as to the time. The boaro
usually met between eleven and tweive
o'clock, took q recess at about haif-past
three until six. and then adjourned al
about 10 2: M. In consequence OF tne
almost utter disregard of the forms OF law
in conducting the elections, and the con'
fused condition in which many OF the re-
turns were found, it became necessary TOT
the board to carefully examine the returns
from every polling place in the State'
there being about six hundred and nifty.
The long list of persons voted for had to
be carefully com pared. All this occupied
much time, besides some time has been
taken in the discussion of points raised,
mostly by the Democratic counsel, and
much more time would have been occu'
pied if the b card had adopted the sugges-
ton of Democratic counsel to argue orally
before the board the various questions
that arose, but the board seeing that such
q course would consume SO much tlme
ruled that the arguments and evidence
must be submitted in writing.
During the progress of the count every
delay asked fpr has been asked by the
Democratic counsel. On Friday last,
when the examination Of the setdrns
closed, Mr.. Bay. one Of the Republican
counsel, proposed to submit his evidence
and arguments by P. NJ. that day, and
close the case; but the Democratic coun'
sci asked until Monday for that purpose,
which the board granted, Now. With
what consistency can the Democratic
press charge the consumption of unneces'
sary time on tho board? =. II puts Us in
mind of the fable of the wolf and the
lamb. The Democratic papers are de-
termined to End fault, and lay il on the
board, although the fault lies at the door
of their own friends.
But sensation is attempted to be cree
ated because the board did not decide
every protest to the count Of polls or par.
ishes when the parishes were reached in
their alphabetical order. Nov, this would
have consumed still more time, and then
it is forbidden by law. The board il re'
auired to canvass and compile first che
parishes and polls where there has been
no objection, and sfterward to canvass
those which may have been objected to.
This is the course the board has pursued.
ana will now take up what is called the
protests, and if Democratic counse! do
not by their action delay the matter. the
canvass and compilation. We think. will
soon be completed.
The Democratic papers, being conscious
that fraud and intimidation to great ex'
tent were used by their party friends to
force their election, are endeavoring in
advance TO bring the board into disfavot
by raising such objections as the above,
so that when the canvass and compilation
is completed, if it does not tally with their
wishes and sanction the traudulen, acts Of
their party. they can have . prejudlced
public sentiment to appeal to.
The Returning Board is composed Of
men to the manor born, except one who
immigrated to the State more than thirty
years ago, and who has represented his
parish and senatorial district in the Legis
/ iature long before and ever since the war
and the presi dent of the board was thu
Governor of the State from 1865 10 1868
and was the nominee of and elected by
the Democrats IN 1865. and che othe1
gentlemen ore Of as unbiemished reputa
ton as any in the State. The attempt tt
| extort from them decision different from
| what their best Judgment may dictate viii
! be fruitless for we do not know anothe
body Of gentlemen Of the same number il
the State who are more likely 60 come &
! a correct conclusion or less likely to b.
bulled out Of Is BY partisan Of factiou
threats