New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-12-01
THE oUACHITA CASE STILL OPEN
HEARING OF DEMOCRATIC WITNESSES
THEY PROVE TOO MUCH

1t1E1 HOOt T. Nv
The board was called to order at hall
psst ten O'Clock, President Wells IN =, tn
chsir and eli the members present. In
minutes were read and approved.
Messre. Stoughton, Garfield, VsnA'e
Kelly and White were present at the ses
s;on of the board on behalf of the Repub
1ican delegation. On the part of the Dem
ocratic delegation, Messre. Trumbull
Palmer. Smith, Watson and Julian wer'
On the call for motions, Mr.. McGloir
stated that he understood that for sOmt
time past the returns from the parish o.
Livingston had been handed in on tht
twentieth instant. He asked that they bt
opened and counted by the board, they
being signed by all parties.
President Wells-The board must 20 OF
under its rules. We must take up the i'm
portant case of Ouachita, which must be
determined this morning.
Mr.. McGloin-ls not that proper!
President Wells-Whenever the returne
are presented We will take them up and
open them.
M. McGloin-H Here are the returns.
President Welis-We will take them up
hereafter.
General Anderson-Let rs open al the
packages received mp to the present time
President Welle-If these documents FROM
the parish of Livingston were received from
the proper channel, you should get
Mr.. McGloin-Will you order the clerk
to receipt for thesei
President Well,-It is his duty, without
further order. We must pass on.
Mr.. Gauthresux-One other q1estion.
Yesterday, when you were requested to
telegraph for certain duplicate returns, in
the hands of the clerk of the district court
for this parish, for the returns which have
mot been made here, under the discussion
derson stated that in NatchitOches parish
the boxes were in the hands of the Demo-
cratic United States supervisor.
General Anderson-1 did not make that
statement. He has reported that, and has
got me incorrectly reported.
Mr., Gsuthresux-1 would like to state
that the ballot boxes in Nstchitoches are
inside the clerks Office. He has placed
them in the iron safe and has sealed them
President Wells-I know that that safe is
honest, and the law requires that these doc
uments shall be fled in the clerks office.
If they were taken out of that office, the
law is not complied with. 1t is positive
upon that point.
Mr.. McGioin-But We desire it distinctly
understood that they are in the custody of
the deputy clerk.
General Anderson-The should be in the
clerks office.
Judge Spofford-In regard to the promise
that unless the returns were brought in
within twenty four hours We should have
IN order from the board directed to the
clerk of court to produce the original, l
would suggest that the twenty-fOur hours
A>ro aw,~srlH and xuo 0ak tho clark which
parishes are now in order, that the order
may state which are not in.
President Wells-What are the parishes
not yet reported
Governor Wickliffe-1be boxes from East
Baton Rouge are in the courtroom, in the
custody of the officers. They wish to de-
liver them to the custody OF the Returning
Board, and l would suggest that your
board open these boxes, which are referred
to as containing he ret urns, and seal them
mp.
President Wells-Thsy will be opened
VIII n the parishes are taken up.
Colonel Zachsrie-I desire to call the at
ten ton of the board to an article which ap-
which it is stated that the woman Eliza
whose story was told before the
board yesterday, was assaulted by num-
Der of parties last night, one of which par.
ties was one of the parties whom she &C.
cuses of having murdered her husband. I
suggest that this is grave charge, and
that the authority of this board has been
taken, if euch . thing lie correct. in utter
because everybody who is called
- Q witness before the board has the right
TO be protected by them. I know all the
parties were at Headquarters last night,
and there is not q word Of truth in this re-
port; but l suggest that the board ls bound
to inquire into this alleged contempt of its
not only that, but as proper
means Of defending Q portion of the COM
munity from such an infamous charge.
hope that the board will take steps in this
mstter.
President Wells-The board has no au-
tbority in the matter. 1t is o criminal Of
fense, and the courts must be resorted to.
The board must decline to have anything
to do with it whatever.
Colonel Zachsrie-Will the board allow
these people in their own defense to appear
before the board and testify in regard TO it?
President Wells-Take them before the
courts and get their testimony.
General Anderson-After witness de-
parts from here we Lave no further author
ity. Suppose she had testified in criminal
case and this attack had been made after
she had left the courtroom! The court is
not responsible.
Mr. McGlon-The law is clear.
President Wells-Gentlemen will close
this discussion. 1t don't apply to the ques.
ton before us.
Mr. MOrey-I have come other witnesses
from the parish OF Ouachita that l would
be glad to examine, two military officers
who have been on duty for some time in
that parish. Will the board hear thoml
President Wells-We can not hear any
more. We have agreed to hear the testi-
mOay of two witnesses in rebuttal of the
testimony we had before us yesterday, and
We can't spend our time now. We must
decline your motion.
Mr.. Morey-If that is the decision OF the
board, allow me to inquire if, in the exam
ination the rules are to be observed, that
interrOgatOries were propOunded aud copies
served on US, or is it proposed to introduce
witnesses of whose examination we have
had no nOtIcea
President Wells-There will be but very
little testimony given here. You will have
the right to cross-examine the witness.
MIR. Morey-Very well. l have no objec-
ton to that. Introduce anybody.
President Wells-We must close this tes-
timOny by Friday evening, at four o'clock,
and you must prepare to have your testi-
mony 10 by that time.
Judge Spofford-Will you fix the day
We don't care what day-in which tney
will he taken up, SO that Wa may prepare
in order that they shs IL be arranged?
President Wells-When we get through
with this one, then we propose to take up
and open tine returns from the other
parishes. With reference to the protest of
Colonel Zacharie and others in regard to
the city election, the board are not salts
fed in their own minds upon that subject.
and we would be glad to be informed in re-
gard to the naturalization laws and other
subjects connected with it, and would be
glad to hear counsel ON both sides-one
hour each-confining themselves to the
frauds that are alleged to have been COM