The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-11-14
Ghe 9ailg Argas,
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ROCK ISLAND, ..........TLLIEoIs.
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ROCK ISLAND,
From the n Y. World, 10Th
BOARD.
What Kind Of a Quartette it is that
May Control the Country's Fate

A prominent gentleman from Louisiana,
now stopping at the New York Hotel was
asked by World reporter yesterday for
definite information regarding the return
ing board, its members and powers.
There ere now. he said, 'only four mem
bers of the board, the fifth, [ believe, not
having been appointed since the vacancy
occurred. The chairman is Madison
Wells, surveyor of the port, and of the
other three members two are negroes OF
VIGOROUSLY bad character. Cazenove and
hennor. The fourth is white man.
Thomas Anderson, and ali are utterly un-
trustworthy and depraved. They have
absolute power to throw cut any parish or
any number of ballots in the state without
giving reason therefor; nor can their ac-
ton be questioned by any authority, legal,
executive or legislative. The supreme
court OF the state has declared their action
mai and not to be appealed from. How
ever, an article from the New Orleans PIC
dytne, published some months prior to
the election, and, singulary, contemplating
the very contingency which has now arisen,
gives the best possible idea of the fune-
tons and character of this board" Fol-
lowing is the article:
DO the people Of the United States
really know what a Louisiana returning
board Is, how it is composed, and what
Its purpose is? Do they know that it is
composed of five men. the majority of
whom are vested with pleaary powers to
reverse the result at any baliot-box
throughout the state, and further, that
that majority is always OF the same politi
cal Complexion? Do they know that it is
absolutely impossible for the largest con
cslVable majority to carry this state peace
ably without the consent of this board
pledged to the triumph Of its own party?
Do they know that there is no appeal from
the decisions OF this board, even the SUI
preme court having declared itself without
authority to revise its action? We believe
not; We believe if they did they would rise
in their might and sweep forever from the
places of power party under whose fos-
serlng care an iniquity SO enormous has
come into being
But the returning board is only the last
Of series of frauds, only the eliminating
point of farr reaching combination the
aim OF which Is to suppress the expression
OF the popular will. Back of the return
ing board stand the officers of registration,
the supervisor, his assistants and clerks.
These are Republicans, appointed by Re
publicans, looking for their reward from
Republicans. The books are in their
hands-hands, for the most part, equally
ready to cut throat or forge name, 1t
is Of no use to mince the matter. We
might as well face the situation squarely
and announce it to all the world as we
know 1t Is Our enemies are about to
make systematic effort to defraud US once
more out of the results of victory which
we are sure to win. They have no hone
OF success through other than foul means.
The past has taught us of what they are
capable. Their present course indicates
all too plainly their intention to repeat the
frauds upon which the present usurpation
is founded. The people of Louisiana have
more than once already submitted to TIA.
supreme wrong which virtually deprives
them Of redress by ballot. tie freeman's
last res ri, and the carpet bag ger and the
scalawag are perhaps warranted in the
interference that they will once more
deliver at the call Of the hghwaymen.
Nevertheless, we regard the experiment
as a bold one
The question i,Eaot one in which Louisi-
ana is alone interested. 1t may happen
that the result Of the presidential elect n
will turn upon the electora! vote of Louisi-
ana. In that event viii the country con-
sent to see inaugurated president whose
elevation has been secured by frauds aud
expressions unparalleled in the history of
civilization! Regarded from this point of
view the subject gathers an additional in
terest and portends trouble of national
proportion, That the returning board is
in its very nature opposed to the essential
idea of a popular election is not and can
not be denied. Neither is the proposed
one sided registration at all defensible.