The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-12-08
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.


PROCEEDINGS or THE RETURNING BOARD.
Noe. 2l.--The Board was in executive
session about three hours. and examined returns
from six additional parishes, laying those aside
In when there were contests or protests for ac-
ton. IL was ascertained that there are contests
in large majority of the parishes. Counsel
for the United States Supervisors OF Election
fled n protest against the exclusion OF super
visors during the canvass and compilation of the
vote.
Noe. 22.-The Board examined the re-
turns from seven additional parishes The vs.
cancy on the Board remained untitled Gov.
Wicklifle, Eector at Large on the Democratic
ticket was excluded from the room. and in
formed that he could only be present in case of a
contest. The Clerk reported that returns from
IA parishes had not yet been received.
N0U. 23.-Judge Spohord, OF counsel for
Democratic candidates, submitted motion that
orders be issued nstructing all Supervisors TO
file their returns Immediately. il being alleged
that many of the DELAYED returns had been foe
some DAYS in New orleans in the hands Of Re
publican officers. The motion was granted. The
canvass of three additional ishes-lberyille,
Union and whitakor-was completed.
Nor. 24.-Another application was made
for the appointment Of Democrat to MI the va
cancy on the Board. but il was again refused as
was also a request for the appointment OF Demo
cratic clerks. An application, signed by the
correspondents of Northern newspapers, asking
for permission To be present AT the ses-
sions of the Board. was also rejected
The returns from st. Martins Parish were can
vassed, and the returns from the contested
parish Of East Baton Rouge we're then taken up.
East Baton Rouge has fourteen polling places
the returns when opened were from only seven.
Counsel for Democrats claim that the total vote
of the parish, as ascertained from returns Of
Commissioners at polliug-paces, was 2.23, for
Tildcn and l,6a6 Tor Hayes but the supervisor
of Registration. by consolidating the returns
from only seven polling places, leaving out the
other seven, and emitting 70 send up the orig
inal returns from some, makes a return OF
only .lO2 votes for Tiden and AZ for Hayes.
Afidavits were filed stating that the super
visor in this parish and IN every other parish In
the state. Is Republican; that returns from
fourteen parishes are still missing, that several
Of the missing returns we're and had been
in the city Of New Orleans for days in the hands
OF persons who were net supervisors; that I'll
the returns from East Baton Rouge we're opened
II was not known to the Democrats what afiida-
Wits accompanied them or the returns from what
polling places were rejected. After much dis
cussion the returns Of East Baton Rouge were
laid aside.
Nor. 25.-Notice was given by GOV. Wells
that hereafter all reading of protests or motion
before the Board must be dispensed with, and
that all evidence must be in before the close Of
the coming week, or the Board would not be able
10 get through with it, deliberations. The most
noteworthy event Of the session was the opening
OF the sealed package of returns from DE soto
Parish, purporting to have been received in its
present condition on the 18th inst. 4 number Of
protests and afidavts were found enclosed, and
among them an affidavit charging intimidation,
which was sworn 10 In New Orleans before
Commissioner on the 25th. This discovery
caused quite a ripple OF excitement, and the
Democrats present charged that a palpable fraud
had been attempted. The matter was explain
ell by the Secretary, 10 the effect that there were
two packages of returns from DE Soto. and the
original package was finally produced and open
ed. and was found 20 cont ain statement OF votes
and Commissioners returns, bat no protests OF
aftavits.
NOU. 27.-President Wells stated, after
calling the Board to order, that hereafter the
Board would decline 60 hear read any motions
or protests whatever. The returns from q large
number Of contested parishes were examined in
executive session. These returns were laid over
for future action, there being protests and con
tests in each case. In the seventh Ward Of or
leans Parish the supervisor threw out the vote Of
one Of the polls where there was majority Of
l13 for Tilden Electors. on the ground that the
vote had not been counted and returned within 1
hours after the close Of the election.
Nor. 2S.-The contested parish OF Qua
chita was taken up, and a number Of witnesses
testified as 10 intimidation.