New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-11-19
THE EFFECTS OF ABAD PRECEDENT.

The Democracy are filled with that suS.
picion which is born Of guilt. They are
peculiarly nervous about everything per.
tanning to the Returning Board and the
election returns. Perhaps we should
make due allowance for guilty consciences,
though we can no. be denied the right to
take any advantage which may be derived
from such insight into their character.
In 1872 the returns of the election were
placed under the charge Of a Democratic
Returning Board. All their meetings were
held IN secret. OF what amounts to the
same thing, no Republican candidate was
permitted to appear and make suggestions.
The returns were not counted until
December. Whether this long de.
lay may be taken as an evidence Of an
intent On the part Of til. board TO commit
frauds. we leave for those to say who
charge such intent upon the present mem.
bers. We are forced to the conclusion.
however. that the great autter and fuss
now raised about the whole business of
counting the votes arise from a clear
knowledge Of what it is possible for cor
rupt and INSCRIPTIONS men to do. Those
who SO loudly protest now were advisers
in 1872. They were thoroughly familiar
with al! the manipulations which deyel-
oped such extraordinary results then.
They fear, without adequate reason. that
the present board may resort to the same
tactics, but apprehend it will not be in the
interest o: the Democratic party. Were
our White League friends satisfied that
they would receive the full benefits
Of any oa:cia! irregularities. they
would. perhaps. be .econc;led 20
very wide departure from the strict
rule OF right. But knowing the
possibilities. and Judging Others by
themselves. they have everything to fear
and nothing to hope from trusting the
returns out OF their sight. In vain are
the doors Of the committee room thrown
wide open to the public. 1tavails nothing
that every paper is placed where counsel
for the Democratic candidates can inspect
it. They have made up their minds
that they are to be cheated, as their super.
v;sors cheated the Republicans. and they
will probably keep up their bawling. like
spo;lt boy. until their mouths are stuffed
SO full Of official cake tina: they are forced
20 cease.
Not long ago hue ana cry was raised
abou: the returns from St. James. An
affidavit was issued and two OF three per-
:ectly innocent parties were arrested. but
it all ended in smoke when !: was found
tina. the returns from tina: parish had
been for several days in the possession Of
the Returning Board. Yesterday morning
again. the Picnyune declared that the re.
turns from three or four other parishes,
including West Baton Rouge. were doat.
ing about loosely in manner worthy of
the palmiest days in the season Of 1872.
We suppose the whole report to be with
out substantial grounds to rest upon. We
know such is the case in regard to West
Baton Rouge. Senator elect Allain Oh.
tanned certificate from the board yester.
day that the returns Of that parish were in
safe keeping. Now the affidavit makers
are after the De Soto returns. in which.
We suppose. they will meet with their
customary success.
It is very annoying TO men Of honor and
good credit to be thus held up as objects
Of suspicion by people who have no
eharac;e: to lose. but we suppose It must
be borne as one Of the Inevitable incidents
OF a political position of great trust. Up
to this time not one single charge Las
been sustained gainst Republican, either
citizen OF officer. Several hundred have
been made. some anonymously and some
by aHdavits. In a few cases individuals
have been attacked, but the charges are
generally made against the whole Repub-
iican party. We are glad 70 be able to say
that the universal senti1nen. Of our polit-
ical friends demands perfectly fair count
and stric: compliance with the Law.
--
It appears that Mr.. Arroyo's acceptance
on the Returning Board is only condi.