The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-11-28
THE RETURNING BOARD.
RAY WANTS MORE TINE.

The members of the Returning Board, ap-
parently refreshed and invigorated from the
respite of Thursday Thanksgiving Day
came to the front Friday morning, prepared, to
al, annearances, to deal with the returns from
the parish of Carroll, it having been specially
provided that this parish should come up first
in order on this friday morning, for the
reason that so many frauds are known to have
been committed, that time will be required
to gather the voluminious evidence neces-
sary to arrive at proper adjustment of the
difficulties encountered.
The action of the board in the case of this
parish would be most important, in that there
would be decided the claims Of member of
Congress, besides that Of members to the two
branches of the Legislature.
The board was called to order at II 80; all
members present.
Mr.. Arroyo made motion that the returns
from the parishes, comprising the First and
Second Congressional Districts, and Sixth
Senatorial District, which have been canvass
ed, be officially promulgated The motion
was carried
1t was announced that Mr.. Ray, counsel in
the interest Of the Republican party, had
been called to attend case in court and the
req lest was made by him that the case Of
Carroll parish be deferred until the afternoon
1t was deferred until Saturday at II o'clock,
and the board proceeded with the returns
from Cameron parish, which were speedily
completed, and those of Calcaseu taken up.
The cauvassing of the returns from this
parish consumed the time of the Board until
its adjournment at 3 o'clock. The work pro-
crossed smoothly throughout, the returns
showing the vote to stand in Cameron: Mon
cure, 2O3 Dubuclet, Al; and in Calcasieu j:
Moncure, 1142: Dubuclet, 6.
Before the Board adjourned Edward Butler,
of the parish Of Plaquemines, erstwhile
Senator from the Fifth Senatorial District,
and in the late election an aspirant to seat
in the House of Representatives, appeared ana
filed a protest in behalf of himself and one
Pierre Antoine, who thirsted for the sheriff
atty OF the said parish, setting forth that the
ballot box Of Poll 8, Ward Z, OF the above
named parish had been taken to the house Of
one Oscar B. Sarpey, also Republican and
aspirant for the office Of Sheriff, and there
tempered with, SO that the returns were
manipulated to their, Butler and Antoine's IS,
'prejudice, to the extent Of $50 votes.
!. q The Board argued with Builder, and figured
il down concisely, that even if this little IT.
Regularity was adjusted, he would not then
stsnd the ghost of show, but he failed to be
4 convinced, insisting that his protest must be
entertained It was received merely by way
Of little qualification, which the Board
seemed inclined to extend to the irrepressible
would-be representative from the Lower
Coast.
EVENING SESSION.
The board was called to order about
\ hat 1,o, FRO,
the parish of Lafayette, about which the news
papers had said SO much, and concerning
which much public inquiry had been made,
had come to light, and were with the returns
from the various other parishes. They were
received on the 9th inst by mail, but as the
package bore the post marks of Vermilion.
vile, were taken tor the returns from Yer
million parish.
It was proposed to canvass these returns to-
day, and it will be done, if Carroll parish does
not occupy the attention OF the board tor the
day.
The returns from Claiborne parish were
called for but before they were opened MIR.
Zacharie filed the following
PROTEST:
{ The undersigned counsel, on behalf of the
Conservative Democratic party, beg leave to
I submit the following protest against the re-
ceiving or entertaining of any protest by this
board, Oh account OF any OF the grounds sci
forth under section and 26 of the election
law. unless said protest IS drawn up IN the
manner and form, and at the time prescribed
in those sections; because,
/. The duty and power OF the Returning
Board is confined to canvassing the returns
under the law, and no investigation thereo
can be had to alter the same. unless it bt
alleged that said returns are not bona fide ane
have been tempered with.
2 That the only exception to the genera
law of Returning Boards, is contained in sec
ton 3 and 90, of the Election Law. which pro
vide the form and manner, and said sections
are sacramental, and limit the powers OF thu
board.
9. That any other course is violation of law
will defeat the election, and substitute IL
place of the authenticated returns, a mass Q
Z exparte cross marked affidavits, as was dom
by the Lynch-Bovee Board of 1872, all 9
which is respectfully submitted,
of Counsel, F. G. ZAcHARIE.
e Mr. Zacharie said that he and Mr.. Whita
ker would submit briefs in support OF tn
foregoing, and desired to know when tn
board would receive them, hoping that al
early day be appointed Monday, if pos
sible-as the arguments which would bt
offered would be prepared by that time.
Mr. Wells replied that. ppder construction
of the law, parties could obtain such certiti
ficates and consider them, thus, in effect, init
mating that the protest would be overruled.
After concluding the canvass Of the return
from Claiborne parish, the Board adjourned
until II o'clock to-day, when Carroll parlsl
will be taken up.
THE CITY HALL.
Everything is ready in the various depart
,,o,t. 60. tbo rocor,tion If the incoming Ad