New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-12-11
The Resurniag Beard.

1mO kIOSobUsu DO0f0s
Governor Wells called this body to order
yesterday at eleven O'Clock.
Mr. Cavanac called for the returns from
St. Helena for the purpose Of showing that
changes had been made in them since they
left the hands of the officers of election.
The returns were carefully examined by
the aid OF a maguifying glass. Democratic
counsel charged that the returns before the
board were forged returns, and asked per-
mission to send for persons and papers to
make good their charge.
Mr. Arroyo offered the fol:owin. reso-
luton:
Resolped, That the president be requested
to obtain from the clerk Of the district
court in and for the parish of St. Helena
the election returns filed by the supervisor
OF registration Of that parish, in order to
compare the same with the statement fled
in tkis board by said supervisor.
Colonel Lowell desired to have the reso-
luton amended 80 as to authorize sending
for the ballot boxes Of that parish.
President Wells thought the passage of
this resolution would be setting bad pre-
cedent, as it might be cited as reason for
doirg the same thing in other returns of
parishes subjected to contests. He ex-
pressed the opinion that if this precedent
was established, it might delay the compile
ton of the work of the Returning Board
until after the meeting Of the Legislature.
This delay must be avoided. as it was i'm
portant that the labors OF the board should
be completed ac as early day as possible.
Mr.. Anderson expressed himself opposed
to the resolution for similar reasons. He
was in favor Of Obtaining all the evidence
possible. bat was opposed to sending all
over shs Sta.e tor ballot boxes
and copies If returns left with clerks
OF distric: courts. He said the
board was without the means-the money
for executing such q course if it had the
time ard the disposition to do it. lie sug-
gested that Democratic counsel furnish
written evidence to sustain their charge
against the returns from St. Helena; and
that when they had done this Republican
counsel would be expeci ed to make their
defense in the same manner: and after
weighing the testimony thus offered. il the
board was unable to come to. conclusion,
it could refer the suij ct 20 the Legislature,
the highest authority in the State. for De.
csion.
Mr Whitaker and Mr. Z.eharia expressed
themselves convinced that the returns from
St. Helena had been iampered with since
thev lett the hands of aha u!fi .e.s Of election
in that parish.
Colon.! Lowell. thought ;!lis migh: be
construed into Al .sper.ioa against the
board.
3Isss,.. Whitaker AMI zschasH declared
that they hal no chsrses 30 mako against
the Returains Eoa:a.
Colonel Lowell said tie chsrgs waA made
that the yeturnS hal be. u altered since they
left the hands Of :he officers Of electiac. and
as they haze been in 40 other hands than
those connected with ,he Re:urning Board
+lnce tha. time. it certainty is isbla to be
inferred that It tho returns had not been
changed BY sono one connected with the
Returning Board. it looked as il they had
been allowed to b. taken possession OF BY
outsiders who had snacs .ae changes. lie
thought shas if there was any suspicion Of
this kind i: Vas she duty oi c.unse; to stata
it.
NJ. Cavarae stated that lie had been ir.
formed by Mr.. Sov.e ths: he had obtained
Possession ot the returns from s.. James
pari.h efser they casue :a possession Of the
Returning Board.
Ms. Arroyo here rssssrd Il. president to
pu: ii. resolution {, = ve'e.
President W.lis said there was no second
to IL.
Mr.. Andersen said ne c..uli 10: second a
motion tor the adoption Of tie resolution
because to adopt the course it proposed
would consume moro time and cause more
expense than the board was able to endure.
Besides. no thought the burden Of furnish.
ing testimony should first develve OF couu.
Sc! Of either side. and in the even. they did
not furnish sufficient testimony to enable
the board to come to conclusion. then. II
is thought proper. !: could send for perscus
and papers.
Tho resolution II Mr.. Arroyo failing to
meet with a second. Mr.. Whitaker thought
it would be we'll to adopt the COURSE sug.
gested by Mr.. Anderson. namely: That
counsel making the chsrgs furnish testi.
mony establishing the fact :ba: tho returns
from Sc. Helena had been ta:npered with
and changed 30 as 70 ietea: tie majority
vote in that psrish.
It being understood that the board wonil
receive written testimony in this case from
counse! "n both sides. the boar! proceeded
to canvass the returns from Webs Ter parish.
The returns were regular and 60 protests
made. The result OF the canvass shows
that Moncurs received $50 votes and Du.
buclet 74e: Moncure's majority. LOG.
The returns from the parish os W;nn
were then taken up.
Colonel Lowell objected to the canv vsssfng
OF these returns, upon the ground that the
person who acted as supervisor was not .
legal officer. and that consequently 10 law.
ful election had been held. He produced
the following certificates to show tia. " bat
he said was correct:
sfArx or Iov,sn.A.3
Cfiics OF the Secretary Of State, :
New Orleans, November g 1874.
hereby Certify that j. p. Reidheimmef
was duly appointed and commissioned
assistant supervisor of registration in and
for the parish of Wlnp, August 7. 1874, but
failed to qualify by fling hi. oata ct office
in this department
Given under my hand and .esi Of State,
this ninth day Of November. A. D. 1874.
and of the independence Ct tho Ea:.ej
Statcs :se uiae!y ninth.