The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-11-23
THB CONTEST IN FLORIDA.
TILDEN HAS THE FIGURES
HAYES THE STATE BOARD,
The Tilden:Majority Difficult to Re-
Ject---Desperate Devices of Re-
publicans to Wheel the State
Into the Hayes Column.

Tallahassee, November 2o.-It is quite
certain that the very best talent of both
parties will be present at this final con.
test, and that it will be quite stubborn
1t will probably open in ten days from
this date. Each party charges the other
with fraud, the Republicans contendng
that there has been force and intimida.
ton used, the Democrats claiming that
there has been ballot box stufing false
returns made, &c. AS soon as ind the
especial points on which fights will be
made shall carefully collect all facts
pertinent thereto and forward them to
you. AT present. to report tithe of the
rumors put aAoat from either head quar-
ters would be to write book.
THAT TRAIN THAT "LIGHTNING'sTRUcK. &"
A good deal has been said about the
train that Was struck by lightning a day
or two attef'he election. Itappears that
the truth ofthe matter is this. Next day
after election it became generally known
in this city that Zach Chandler was des,
patching General Martin very vigorous
instructions. 1t Was said on the streets
that he had ordered Martin to carry the
State at any cost. This was hardly true,
but it is about susceptible of proof that
he did telegraph Martin to "Claim the
State at once by decisive majority and
to stick to it." In any event, however,
the Democrats were very much excited,
and really felt that they were about to
be cheated out Of the election. At this
iuncture Governor Stearns started Mr..
Booze who is one of his confidential
men out on special train ito collect
the returns" as he said. Now the law in
this State provides that the returns shall
be forwarded by "due course of mail. ."
The Democrats we're Of course indignant
and alarmed at the sending out Of this
man tocolleCt the returns, in violation
of the law The train had not gone far
before i was thrown off the track, not by
however, as has been stated.
This is the only act of violence that has
been reported. The election was the
quietest ever held in Florida, because the
Democrats knew that their only hope
was in having it perfectly quiet. 1t will
be quite hard to establish proofs of init
or violence.
NO DOUBT OF THE STATE HAVING GONE
DEMOCRATIC,
1t is pretty definitely settled that the
Democrats will carry the State on the
count of the county canvassing board
by over 1000 for the State ticket and over
100 for their Presidential ticket. This
majority the Republicans will try to over
,ome by attacking the returns before the
3oard of State Canvassers. The Demo
rats will, before the same tribunal, pre-
er charges against certain Republican
'recincts, tits here that the great fight
,ill be made. 1t is this fight that both
ides are now preparing for.
The Democrats are much the more sus-
lclous of attempted frauds in the count,
nd Justly so. In the first place they will
ave the natural majority. This must be
vercome by some desperate means or
ther. In the second place, the person.
ell OF the Democratic party in the State
much higher and better than that of
lie Republicans. Its members are more
enerally above suspicion. In the third
lace the Democrats have had no chance
cheat or miscount, as the whole of the
ection machinery is in the hands OF the I
epublcans. The Inspectors, the Coun. t
Returning Boards and the State Re- t
rning Board are appointed by the Gov. v
nor, and, except those confirmed by +
e Senate, removable at his will. The a
lly opportunity Of the Democrats to \
lange the real result, has been intimi- ~
Ltlon; their only chance to change the "
unit now is in capturing the returns and n
stroying them. Either ofthese methods
'uld bring instant detection, or at least c'
ovoke prompt investigation. ic
On the other hand the Republicans q
We everything in their own hands. u
ley had the power at first to "doctor" az
returns in many ways. They still tee te
We the power, through their State " u
ard, to throw out as many precincts Sr
they please. How far they have alb b,
ID their power or how far they will he Fp
use it, must be developed hereafter. c.
1NExPLIoABLE FIGURES. fly
some Republican figures arefurnished IN IN
ast in regard to the election. have ~ ~
ispatch from jacksonville concerning ~
figures offered by the Jacksonville r,
ion, a Republican paper. A Indicrous tn
tax occurs in the figures. The table tex
ws an apparent majority of 9o6 for tic
Republicans. In adding up its CO. fol
ms, however, itmakes an indisput- up
mistake of 900. which being cor. ma
ed gives the Democrats, according Re
lie estimate, a majority. l can get no the
res at the Republican headquarters. inv
official figures from Monroe county, the
lived to day. give the Democrats ten wit
on their estimate. sol
ear