The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-08-27
CLERKS OF REGISTRATION.
Aatsises neply % the Demeeratic.asn.
hf 'f uepvaeivs Committee.

stats or LOUISIANA, ]
.ttaou as Executive Department. !
New Orleans. August -. 1879.
Hon. I. ". tatson. President state Central Com
mi>tee Democratic Conservative Party:
Sir-I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt OF your communication OF
the 23d inst, asking the appointments In
the registration Offices In each parish OF
this State, and each ward Of the city, OF
one clerk OF registration from the Dem
ocratic party, to be selected from list
to be furnished by you. presume this
proposition Is made In the interest Of a
fair and free election. Both political
selves on record as desiring such a re-
suit. The Republican party Is especial
ly interested In asking that all citizens
shall be protected in the exercise OF the
right to vote, as guaranteed by the
fifteenth amendment, and that certain,
condign and effectual punishment" may
attempt by force, fraud, terror. in
timidation or otherwise, to prevent the
exercise OF the right Of suffrage" /,
therefore, will consider the matter
as being presented in this light. /
frankly say to you, rs the representa-
tive of the Democratic party Of this
State. that In my opinion, the principal
sion Of the will OF the people 1T the
next election consists in the system OF
terrorism which members OF your party
not forming, admit, the most numer-
GUS or the most respectable class, have
established, unrebuked by you, In some
OF the parishes Of the State, whore
black men are nightly whipped and shot
ut or even killed, where they are pre-
vented from holding political meetings.
and are deprived OF all freedom OF po-
litical action. l trust the statement
contained in a circular recently issued
on behalf OF the Democratic party, over
your signature, that 1--WE (the Demo
cratic party, have the means OF carry
ing the election. and intend to use
them," was not meant to announce a set
policy OF intimidation, such as was pur-
sued In 1868, and was only laid aside In
the next presidential campaign for a
policy Of fraud. 1t Is certainly suscep-
tible OF that construction when read IN
connection with the other instructions
contained In the same circular, and in
connection with the existing condition
OF intimidation and violence which pre-
that section OF the State in which the
Democratic State nominating conyen-
tion was lately held.
3 With regard to the specific request
contained In your letter. beg 70 re-
mind you that the law requires registra-
ton to be opened on the 2Sth OF August.
In view Of this fact It became my duty
as Acting Governor to take such steps
as would enable the registration offices
In the distant parishes OF the state to
be opened by the day specified. Ff
eight or ten days previous to the reeep,,
ton OF your letter had been engaged
in making registration appointments,
which were daily published by the
press. and when your letter OF date
Aug. % reached me, the requisite APP
pointments had nearly all been made,
No list Of recommendation had been
forwarded to me by the Democratic
Committee, No such list accompanies
vour letter. No list had been supplied
10 me by the Republican Committee,
nor have l made any appointments at
their request. I acted upon such appil-
cations as were before me, proceeding,
as they did in most cases, from resi-,
dents In the respective parishes ana
wards. I found in many Instances re-
commendations on file for the appoint
ment of Democrats, both as supervisors
and clerks. In all such cases where the
applicants recommended appeared to
me To be competent and proper persons
q II Il q theory Of Republicans that the
onnosition to an administration which
has the conduct OF an election have the
RIGHT to demand o fair opportunity &c
scrutinize the whole election from tn tht
beginning Of registration down 10 tn'
final casting and counting OF the vo'es
This right was peremptorily denied u
us In 1879, but we are entlrely WILING 7
accord II TO our political opponents. !
n 10 made apparent that the Interest,"
ns a fair election can be promoted y
chanUee or removals in the registratidl
Entertainments already flied, thoe
changes will be made; and any recon,
mendations which you may seho W
receive their due weight. wdlo
Greatly prefer. however, that rectn-
mendations should proceed dlrs;ly
from citizens OF both political pet,es
resident In the wards or parlshs ., ioa
which officers are to be appointeG;u ! noy
have much better opportunities olno
ing the qualifications OF the IoVd I;ovad
selected tnap can possibly oe UGyeu
Inv the presiding officers OF Tusan|
IN conclusion, permit me aiu :3, te
assure YOU that no proper ei1oi~imli e~ m ut
wanting on the part OF the Ste uov
eminent and the Republicanarty
;ns,,re at the next election p,il, I@
and fair expression OF the - VI 'lel
whole people Of this State. J;or. ssr
Very respectfully y your y 1S.Ns, S
yanI, - Hovarnor and ting Gov
- ernor Of Louisiana.
aag Er0l u = -----H~ Ut ft.u |
Plunderi
iCourier-Journs
Punder is the word. ltplesenus ie
a., entire Republican schemor sne Pa,,
"a fication OF the South. ,nst o,sn ~
ff &C. x,a|,,;r ~ fho 2Otlth ~ fCAC lnol Sl0Cu