The New York herald., 1876-11-29
FLORIDA.

SHARP TRICK OF THE CHAIHMAN OF The
BoARD-How A SMALL MAJORITY FOR HAYES
WAS coUNTED-THE ERROR REcTIFIED AND
TILDEN AHEAD IN THE FACE OF THE RETURNS.
[BY TELEGRAPH 70 THE nERALD.]
TALLAHASSEE, Nov 49, 1885,
The morning has been one OF universal excitement
The Board met at ten O'Clock. The comfort
ably filled. General Brannon commanding at this
point in General Rugers absence, sat inside the railing
with the Board and was attentive observer, ire-
quently jot,ing down short notos piece Of paper
Mr.. W. 4. Chandler was tho only visitor who be-
hind tho railing. He seemed to be the manager for his
side, making continual objections and suggestions
READING THE COUNTIES
As Aachua the first county, read Mr.. Pasco. for
the democrats, gavc notice that he would contest tho
returns from that county at the proper time.
SENSATION
When the returns from Baker were read, giving tho
republicans ory-one majority. there quick and
sharp sensation. Many OF tho democrats spraug to
their feet IN open protest. All OF them were aston
ished and startled They consulted their notebooks
then hurricdly gathered around Colonel Read OF
Philadelphia, who had tho certified copies Of the
before HIM. They found that Baker officially
put down as giving democratic majority. Thoy then
gave notice that they would the returns from
Baker Tho republicans during all this exciting play,
perfectly quiet, and Mr. Chandler put that pc
culiar smile that has become evaporation TO tho
democratic circle, and eared trlae wildly through
his eyeglasses ut his pcrturbed opponents II was
generally felt that the reversal Of the ma
jority that the democrats had boen tearing
was effected through Bakor county. and tho rest OF
the count proceeded without much excitement. tho
reading Of the returns being usually with the curt
announcement proposed contest the ono side or
the other.
When Clay was reached II was found that the demo-
Gratis were twenty nve short the return. II sp-
pcarcd that the county canvassers had declined to
count one precinct giving twcnty-thrcc democratic
majority, the general return, the evidence that
the precinct inspectors dtd not como up
with the They sent the figures, however and
the will DO counted probably without contest.
When Duval reached the democratic manager
called attention the fact that It signed by only
two members Of the County Board.
Whom Manateo reached Mr. Chandler and Mr.
Martin both objected to its being read, subject to
future contest Tho former said he would be abo to
prove that the election authorized and regular
and tho return in proper shape. After some pretty
sharp discussion, In which tho democrats called
attention to tho fact that Mr. Chandler dsplaye
remar kabe nlarity with the face OF the returns
was ordered that the Manatcc returns be read
When Jefferson was reached Mr.. Pasco handed in a
bill Of exceptions which flied with the returns.
Tne reading OF the counties suspended after
Washington with the announcement that the returns
from Dade had not boon received. Notice OF contest
had been gwen by one side or the other In every
county except six
FIGURING.
As coon tho reading stopped every head In
tho room except Chandler's, which was ornamented
in iron. with tho agrravating smile, was bowed
line OF 1gures, working out the result
RESULT.
II announced IL few moments that Hayes was
anywhere from thrty-Gve to forty-eight ahead. The
result finally settled with forty,wo tho highest
Hayes clector and thirty six for the lowest II seemed
pretty we'll agreed that the twenty three votes
the omitted precinct in Clay county would bo admitted
without contest. This would reduce Hayes majority TO
thirteen. Then there twelve votes clamed by the
democrats miscount in Jefferson county, which
would Hayes lowest figure down to one These
claims primG Jacie claims and do not involve any
discussion.
INCREASED EXCITEMENT
When the Board adjourned for dinncr there In
tense excitement. The republicans q sort OF
uneasy cxuitaon, while tho democrats very indg
and rather noisy Tho telegraph ONCE was filled
10 jamm,ng and tho nows flashed to every county
Of prominence in tho Union that Hayes had carried
FLORIDA by thIrtysix the face OF the returns
A DEMOCRATIC VICTORY.
The evening session, however, gave the democrats
the most brilliant victory that either side has yet
scored and put the republican managers in very bad
light. As as the session opened Mr.. Pasco
and inquired or the Secretary Of State tho chairman
OF tho Board, II he had received another return
from Baker county besides tho he had read. Tho
Chairman objected to the question and would reply
Nr. Pasco then charged openly and positively that
such return had been sent to tho Board Ho do
scribed this certified copy OF which he had
his hnnd-as beng older in dato than the ono read
by tho Secretary as having been legally atteste and
having been signed by the clerk and Justice OF tho
Peace, as tho law requires lie then demanded 20
know why II had been suppressed, and insisted
on its being produced at The Chairman, though
much confused, still refused say whether ho had
cevcd any such return or not Mr. Chandler came to
his dcfcnco with his numerous objections and techn
cal points, and all favored smartly with buster MI
Pasco refused TO DO put or however, and called atten-
tion TO tho rules which said thst all returns should DO
presented TO the Board, and that the Board should
decide which we're the regular and proper returns
nrst. by look ~ their faco and alter