The New York herald., 1876-11-20
florida Democrats Challenged 10 Dispute the
Governors Power TO Canvass the Vote.
TROOPS FOR JACKSON COUNTY.
Caucus of South Carolina Republic
cans at the State House.
WILL HAMPTON BE GOVERNORS
Another Republican To Be Added to
the Louisiana Board.
FLORIDA.

FLORIDA.
rHE NEW QUESTION ON THE JURISDICTION OF
THE STATE BOARD OF CANvAssERs-oov-
POWER TO COUNT THE VOTES FOR ELECTORS.
[By TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.]
TALLAHAssxg, Nov 10, 1870
While the hush and calm OF the Sabbath has thrown
Something like tranquility tho face OF anairs
lay the undcrcurrents swayng to and ro with un-
usual strength and activity Stearns 10
Mr.. Pasco, chairman OF Tho Democratic Committee, a
letter which no stated that he would bc pleased to
receive, writing, anything that he would like to
ccr the question whether the Governor tho
Ntatc CanvassIng Board had the right to can
vass and determine tho electoral vote Of the
State. Tho democrats, Il will be remcm-
bercd, asked the Governor Saturday
that he would allow them to 1le opinion upon this
subject before he acted upon It. HIS letter OF this
morning is understood that he has virtually
made up mind to attempt take the OF the
HIMSELF and to give the democrats notice that
their protest must be promptly forthcoming Tho
democratic managers win submit elaborate opinion,
prepared with great and under tho best Of legal
Inspection, tomorrow the next day. They
thoroughly indignant that they forced to even
tertan proposition that they pronounce so nagrant
and outrageous, and they will take step, admitting
the possibility OF its justice, except under pro-
lest They will argue their carefully and fully.
while denying the possible jurisdiction OF the
tribunal before which they argue
BASIS OF THE GOVERNORS CLAIM
II appears TO be generally conceded that Governor
Stcarns intends to attempt to the returns him.
solf Exactly upon basis he will DO this remains
to be SEEN The State Board has declined open the
until the returns all In until the thirty
1vo days allowed by law shall have expired II the
not in by the 9th OF December the Board
will refuse canvass, and Governor Stearns being
forced by law OF the United States issue the
chosen certificates of their election shat
day, will claim that ne is forced 10 the vote
in order that ho may determine whom the certificate
should rghtfully be issued. The democratic managers
will all is possible this exigcncy by
having long before the 9th OF December
arriyea e#
DELAYxD RETURNS.
The law requires that the returns shall be forwarded
by tho mail and the mails being under the control OF
the republicans tho democrats cannot insure the
prompt arrival of tho returns. They have had how
ever, certified copies OF tho in every
county, and forwarded under seal by special couriers
to the democratic committee In the capital Most Of
those certified copies They will all in
In day or two. fthe original returns do not follow
them by mail shortly, tho democrats will take it for
will offer the copcs certified the Law Directs IN the
place OF the originals and ask that the State Board
proceed with the count 1t is my opinion that they
will refuse to do this
THE oovERNoR's OPPORTUNITY.
II they should show signs of yielding tho request
it IS my opinion that Governor will then step
In, deny them jurisdiction of tho matter and take
charge OF tho electoral vote himself II he does this
and tho democrats unable to stop him by legal
wofulIy diminished Governor stearns does not enjoy
the highest reputation for integrity ability Pur-
man, member Of his own party, denounces him for
personal and political dishonesty Attorney General
Cooke in the public prints denounced him being
incapable and dishonest publishing columns Of details
to sustain his charges It easy the Governor
il really such man as his enemies allcgc him to be,
ho ID not the proper man before whom issue upon
which SO tremendous stake tho Presidency OF the
United States hanging should bo brought adjud
cation. Himself candidate for reelection engaged In
. very death struggle and his own fate depending alb
solutey upon Hayes carrying the State or to give
Tilden who has behind Drew. would be to confess
70 Drews triumph,,Jt is hard to believe that he w
act With that impartial justice that the tremendous
crisis demands imperativeIy. Before returning
board Of three members, none OF whom arc deeply
interested The game Stcarns and some OF whom
n not aI might have been amcnable to con-
vincsng, undisputed testimony, and to the iron
logic that gave Conference connection the demo-
gratis would have had opportunity Of defending
The majority that the Official returns OF the county
boards have given to Tilden. Before Governor such
" Stearns is charged to be, whose fate hangs
hm own decision, and who Is the complete master Of
tho situation, It looks as If thcy could hope
nothing II Governor stcarns docs determine to take
tho canvass OF tho electoral returns into his
hands it 10 believed he Will throw enough counties
90 overturn the Tldcn majority and build up for
Hayes Ho will then issue the certificates to tho
Haycs electors. Unless the democrats can check him
upon the single question OF jurisdiction they just
AZ well commence looking for whatever ap-
peal may be possible from his nnal decision. lf he
gets tho of the votes in his hands
shc republican electors will have the Governors GER
tcate and will cast the State vote OF Florida beyond
any question, for Hayes and the nght that the dem-
ocrats prepared to make before the State Board
must 60 TO q tribunal or be abandoned
rNExPLIcABLg FIGURES
Some republican figures furnished at last in ro-
gard the election. have despatch from Jackson
willie concerning tho figures offered by The jacksonville
Union, republican paper. Aiudcrous mistake oc-
ours in the figures The table shows apparent
majority BOG for the republicans In adding up Its
columns, however, Il makes an ndisputable mistake
Of 0oo which, being corrected, gives the democrats,
according to the estimate, majority. can got no
figures at tho republican headquarters The Official
nsures Monroe county, received to-day give the
democrats gain on their estimate.
TROOPS IN
Up TO this time all the troops brought to Florids
have remained ut tho capital They into camp
ihc day after thor arrival and have been hunting,
G>hing and resting ever since. They very hosp-
,abiy received by the people and quite satisfied
Mo situation. Tonight u is reliably satco that
pany OF troops will leave IN the morning for jackson
county. am unable TO get anything from the military
headquarters upon this subject tonight but thero have
been charges made Of violence and intimidation at
escenvillc precinct. In Jackson couaiy. ON election