New-York tribune., 1876-12-21
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBUNE.I

HIS COMMITTEE WASTING THEIR TIME-NorHlNG TO
BE GAINED BY PROVING REPUBLICAN NTIMIpA-
fBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.-The reports of the
proceedings Of the two committees who are invessat-
ing the Louisiana election read with great interest by
everybody in Washington The testimony taken by the
House Committee has thus far had very little bearing
upon the questions issue with tho exception OF s de-
mand on the Returning Board for its papers and an eH
PLANTATION Of the ground which 1t based Its action
The tendency of the Democratic witnesses has been
rather to shake confidence in the validity OF the vote
actually returned for the Democrats than otherwise
For instance no polls thrown out in Orleans Parish,
and vet Mr. MOrrsons committee has examined several
colored Democratic witnesses prove that there was In
tndation there. The only result OF this testimony II
the point was established would be to show that had the
matter been brought properly before the Returning
Board the polls where this intimidation existed ought to
have been rejected in the count This would have de-
nriyed the Democrats OF part Of their majority The
Democratic committee seems to forget that under inc
peculiar election law OF Louisiana intimidation no mat
ter who guilty OF it, nvadates the election at inc poll
where IL occurs IL s the object OF Mr. Morisons com
mttee simply to show that there was intimida.
tion ON both sides, and that 1t was aimed
AGAINST Democrats well as RepuDlicans'
he may succeed in doing It, but is dhcu 10 see "hat
"a 10 be gained by IT, The Democrats have been very
strenuous that the Returning Board shOud taKe cog
uZace of complaints or lntiudauon, e4cePt bucn AZ
we're brought to its attention strictly in accordance with
tle provisions Of the 26h section Of the Election law
that Is by au affidavit Of supervisor OF commissioners
NJ election But no such of the intimidation OF
Democratic voter reported by any elecnOn OH
Ger az far as is remembered As the SUPERVISORS were all
Republicans such certificates could hardly have been
exnacted from them but at every poll In the State
the law required that there should De at
least one Democratic commissioner, ana Vt was DIS dniy
N have repored the intimidation OF bis party associates
~ any existed There now therefore, no way for the
Dem0crafs to gam anything by proving lhat tne
cans intimdated Democratic negroes ana IL Nouiu scc
NJ though the House committee was wasting lts tne'
The only investigation Of the Louisiana case that can
do any GOOD Is one that is directly aimed at NE poht OF
nntT9vsTsy between the two parties and that IL ne
onsston whether the Returning Board actcd honestly
~ fGulenty In its canvass OF the votes 10 ths point
fbe senate cOnmttee 20 be directing ltS Inquiries.
ba dongs of the board in the secret sessi0ns we he
trns from the contested precincts were DECIDED upon
nuSbt 10 he brought TO the light ana inc eVldence Oh
yhieh each case rests made public, as III south
and Florida No committee until u mas tls SNIue.ee
can pass an intelligent Judgment on the w0tk o. @ the
ctuPrning Roard Until that evidence Is produced the
board is entitled by all the princies OF law ahu J 30
10 n presnmption IN its favor. NoDOuy bae s nS =, a.
nTesIme that the board has committed iIauu lt a. a.
iroyeh and 10 claim the state nBFeserVeuly ioi A0 "
such presumption.