New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-11-22
The Returning Board.

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On motion of Mr.. Anderson President
Wells called the board to order, and the
minutes were read and approved.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick, clegk Of the Superior
Criminal Court, brought in the ballo.-box
of the third poll, tenth ward. The key not
having been found, q locksmi,h was sen.
for and the box opened. The returns Of
the third poll were found in the box. They
were taken possession Of by the board, and
a certificate 20 that effect signed by men,
bers, placed in the box. The box was
locked up and returned to Mr.. Fitzpatricks
protection, and taken back to the Superior
Criminal Squirt.
The bCss2 then proceeded 10 canvass the
returns of the third poll. This was found
a very difficult work from the fact that the
returns were so irregular and incomplete as
70 almcs. entirely ignore the requirements
of the law. The consolidated statement Of
the assistant supervisor was only partially
given; the report of the commissioner Of
election was incomplete; and the tally list
did no. agree with other returns. In fact
none OF the returns agreed.
The following are the remarks Of the as
sistant supervisor, at the conclusion OF his
report:
hereby certify this to be a true and cor.
rect return Of the returns made me by the
commissioner of election for the election
held November 2. 1874. The above are the
returns made from eight polls, poll three
having been sealed and delivered in the
ballot box. The poll list and tally sheets
from THAT poll were sent to the clerk of the
Superior Criminal Court. Therefore from
that pol! l have no returns.
With this condition Of the returns from
coll three the board, feeling that it would
be impossible to arrive at any fair eonclu-
sion as to the result there, was a, a loss how
TO proceed. when Mr.. Arroyo moved that
the board send for the returns made to the
Secretary Of State from the pol! in ques-
ton. This motion was agreed to, and the
required returns obtained on a written re-
quest made for them by the board. An
investigation Of these returns showed that
the tally list accompanying them agreed
with the tally lists before the board. and on
motion Of Mr.. Anderson it was received as
correct. The board then concluded the
canvass of the third pol! Of the tenth ward,
and this ended the investigation aud com
piiement OF the city returns.
The board next considered the propriety
Of taking up protests made against the re-
ceptiOn Of certain returns. 1t waa ready 20
proceed with this work immediately, and
some me embers expressed themselves anx-
ious 20 DO SO because the public were
anxious 70 know the result Of the city can
vass. After an exchange Of views up0 the
subject. i was found that counsel, Demo-
cratic and Republican, were not prepared
70 do This at once. They wanted the COM
Meneement Of this work delayed un;i! Mon
day. auI i. was accordingly agreed by the
board 70 do SO. 1t was also agreed that the
work should commence with hearing OF
the protests made asainss the reception Of
returns from the seventh ward.
TIE board then decided to conclude the
canvass o.; the returns from the first and
second congressional districts. and Dre-
ceedeG 30 that work at once. commencing
with the returns from Plaouemires
MIR. Arroyo moved. about . +. NJ, that
the returns from St. Bernard parish be sent
ter before the state Urea surer closed his
Office. This motion met with opposition on
the ground that i. would take the board
until nea- night 20 &c: through the returns
from Ia9uemines, and some member were
opposed 20 holding an evening session as
they desired to 60 to the theatre. Ms.
Arroyo said they should forege such pleas
ure and act@n0 to the important work be |
fore them. He insisted on his molten being |
put, and !: was carried.
Inc st. Bernard returns were then sent |
for and brough: into the office of the |
Eeturnins Board.
The question of representation on the |
board coming up incidentally, Mr.. Arroyo !
said ne did not regard himself as the repre-.
tentative OF any particular party; that he
had been elected as fair man: q an who
would do justice to all parties.
1hle expianatiOn-cOming. as it did, from
a man who has never faltered in his devO-
ton to Democratic principle. and who has
though long. pure and useful life always
devoted himself to the best interests of the
Democratic party-is certainly remarkable
in these times Of partisan prescription and
corruption. Such man could not fail to
fairly the interests Of all par ties:
and tor that reason tha: part Of the election
law which requires that members Of the
Returning Board shal! be taken from all
parties has been happily complied with in
the selection OF Mr.. Arroyo. He proclaimed
that IN continuing his !abors on the Re.
turning Board he considered he was acting
IN the interest of the people; and as the
people EN- brace all parties he can certainly
DO considered fair representative OF all
parties on the Returning Board. |
MIR. Whitaker made a suggestion. He
SAID that the returns OF De Soto parish we're
It No. IA Dryades street. He knew this to
% be SO; and feeling that they would be
much safer IN the hands Of the board than
where they are. he would ask the board to
address note TO Mr.. Behan. the assistant
OF De Soto parish, requesting
I'm to have the returns Of that parish sent
o the office Of the Returning Board. The
'eturns were sent for.
After concluding the canvass OF the Re-
urns o: pol! Elk Of the parish Of Plaque
mines the board. at four O'Clock, took =
ecess until : P. NJ.
The returns from Grant parish have been
received.
The board assembled a. 6 Z. NJ, ard Con.
inued the canvass o; the returns Of the first
congressional. district. commencing At poll
TO-: in the parish OF Pi.quemine,. and
ompietins the canvas. of the returns of that