The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1876-12-14


board, and have also called attention to
its duties and the proof upon which it is
authorized to act. 1t is tribunal estab-
lished by the laws of Louisiana, entirely
independent of the laws of any other
State or of the United States. 1t is en-
powered, among other things, to canvass
and finally determine the number of votes
legally cast for electors of President and
Vice President of the United States, but
in the discharge of that duty it acts ex.
clusively under the authority of the laws
of the State.
The Constitution of the United States
having declared that each State shall ap-
point, in such manner as the Legislature
thereof may direct, a number of electors
equal to the whole number of Senators
and Representatives to which the State
may be entitled to in Congress, not any
more is the action of this Board indie
pendent of the State or national laws
other than..those of Louisiana, but its de-
termination as to the votes cast and the
candidates elected is final and substantial
ly conclusive, as appears from a decision
of the Supreme Court of that State, as
reported in the 25th volume of Louisiana
Annual Reports, where the court, at page
266, says, "no statute comforting upon the
courts the power to try cases of contested
elections or title to Office authorizes them
to revise the action of the Returning
Board"
The Legislature has seen fit to confide
this power in the Returning Board instead
of the courts, and the law must be obey
ed, good or bad.
PERSONNEL OF THE BOARD.
The investigation Of the committee
shows that the Board is entitled to re-
spect until it violates its obligations.
The report goes into the life and con-
nections of the Board. 1t gives q very
favorable account of Gov Wells, mention
ing his loyalty during the war, when his
patriotism cost him much; his brilliant
achievements and capacity, Gen. An
derson is widely known and universally
respected. Both are men of property
and above venalty. Casanave is an ex-
cellent business man, of irreproachable
character and habits Kenner is young,
intelligent, active and respected.
AUTHORIZED INTIMIDATION. -
The report proceeds to give an outline
Of the proofs of intimidation. The main
facts given are that circular was issued
by the Democratic Conservative Central
committee, marked "Confidential," and
signed by j. w. Patton, President, and
p. j. Sullivan, Secretary, intended for cir.
culation in each parish, r%c1mmending
the forming of ward clubs III Zach parish
urging that no gloomy forebodings be in
dulged in, and that "the result of the
election be spoken of as foregone conclu
sion, as we have the means of carrying
the election and intend to do so; but bt
careful to say and do nothing construablt
into u threat or intimidation"
The circular also recommended fre
quent meetings, sometimes horseback par
ardes to impress the negroes with sense
of limited strength, and that afidavits b.
prepared election day, showing that there
had been no intimidation at any poll.
There were, on election day, 92,99t
registered white voters and 1888 col
ored. Ii left free to vote, the Republi
can majority would have been about %,
900. The idea was to confne the intim
idation to few largely Republican par
ishes, and if thrown out, the Democrat
would be the gamers by the operation, be-
cause the Republican majority woult
thus be overcome in those parishes
Those selected were those known as tn,
"bull-dozed' parishes, whose geographical
situation was suited to this kind of infa
my, being adjacent to Arkansas and Mis-
sissippi
1t could thus be pretended that border
ruf6ans deprecated and murdered the ne
groes. Every specie Of cruelty was re
sorted to aud actually carried out I
Democratic majority was returned in
stead of the 1000 Republican majority
The conclusion is irresistible that intim
dation and violence alone could accomplish
such wonderful change in the vote.
The members of the board, acting III
der oath, were compelled, in accordanc
with the vast amount of testimony estat
fishing the above facts, to reject vote
cast thus fraudulently. The board wa
the sole and only judge of the ovidenc
adduced, and if, in reaching its conclu
sion, it acted in good faith, and wa
guarded by an honest desire to do justice
its determination shoull be respected
even though other tribunals might reac
different conclusion.
When a body attempts to secure full
fair, free ballot, to abolish and overcom
and thwart intimidation and violence,
should secure the support of all men.
To obtain power by such means q
were employed in these Louisiana pa
ishes would secure the condemnation o
every honest man and every judicial tribu
nal. Respectfully, ...aa a.
Signed by Sherman, Stoughton, Va
Allen, Eugene Hale, Garfield, CartlanC
Parker, Kelley, Sidney, Clark, and WI
son of Kansas. . 1