New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-11-30
THE RETURNING BOARD
THE oUACHIrA CASE STILL OPEN
HEARING OF DEMOCRATIC WITNESSES
THEY PROVE TOO MUCH

Il
The board was called to order at half
past ten O'Clock, President Wells in the
chair and all the members present. The
minutes were read and approved.
Messrs. Stoughton, Garfield, Vsrian,
Kelly and White were present at the ses-
zion of the board on behalf of the Repub-
lican delegation. On the part Of the DEM
ocratic delegation, Messrs. Trumbull,
Palmer, Smith, Watson and Julian were
present
On the call for motions, Mr.. McGloin
stated that he understood that for some
time past the returns from the parish OF
Livingston had been handed in on the
twentieth instant. He asked that they be
opened and counted by the board, they
being signed by all parties.
President Wells-The board must go on
under it's rules. We must take up the i'm
portant case of Ouachita, which must be
determined this morning.
Mr.. McGloin-Is not that proper?
President Welis-Whenever the returns
are presented we will take them up and
open them.
Mr.. McGloin-Here are the returns.
President Welis-We will take them up
hereafter.
General Auderson-Let rs open all the
packages received Up to the present time.
President Welle-If these documents from
the parish of Livingston we're received from
the proper channel you should get
proper receipt tor It.
Mr.. McGloin-Will You order the clerk
to receipt Tor these!
President Well.-It is his duty, without
further order. We must pass on.
Mr.. Gauthreaux-One other question.
Yesterday, when you were requested to
telegraph for certain duplicate returns, in
IL le zf <1.o r. Of afei iNf RI
for this parish, for tho returns which have
not been made here, under the discussion
that arose upon that subject, General An
derson stated that in NatchitOches parish
the boxes were i0 the hands of the Demo
cratic United States supervisor.
General Anders0n-I did not make that
statement. He has reported that, and has
got me Incorrectly reported,
Mr.. Gsuthresux-l would like to state
that the ballot boxes 10 Nstchitoches are
inside the clerks office. He has placed
them in the iron safe and has sealed them.
President Wells-I know that that safe is
honest, and the law requires that these doc
uments shall 10 filed in the clerks office.
If they we're taken out of that office, the
law is not complied with. 1t is positive
upon that point.
Mr.. McGloin-But we desire it distinctly
understood that they are in the custody OF
the deputy clerk.
General Auderson-They should be in the
clerks office.
Judge Spofford-In regard to the promise
that unless the returns were brought in
within twenty four hours We should have
an order from the board directed to the
clerk of court to produce the Originsl, /
would suggest that the twenty-four hours
have expired, and We ask the clerk which
parishes are now in order, that the order
NAV state which are not in.
President Wells-What are the parishes
not yet reported
Governor Wickliffe-1he boxes from E ast
Baton Rouge are in the courtroom, in tbs
custody of the officers They wish to de-
liver them to the custody OF the Returning
Board, and l would suggest that your
board open these boxes, which are referred
to as containing he returns, and seal them
up.
President Wells-They will be opened
when the parishes are taken up.
Colonel ZAcharie-I desire to call the at
tention of the board to an article which ap.
pears in the New Orleans REPUBLICAN, IN
which it is stated that the woman Eliza
PinkstOD, whose story was told before the
board yesterday, was assaulted by q num-
ber of parties last night, one of which par
ties was one of the parties whom che &C
cuses of having murdered her husband. l
suggest that tbis is grave charge, and
that the authority of this board has been
taken, if such thing is correct, in utter
contempt, because every body who is called
- o witness before the board has the right
to be protected by them. l know all the
parties were at headquarters last night,
and there is not word OF truth IN this re-
port: but / suggest that the board is bound
to inquire into this alleged contempt OF its
authority; not only that, but as proper
means OF defending portion OF the COM
inf Nho
hope that the board will take steps in this
matter.
President Wells-The board has no au-
thority in the matter. 1t is criminal Of
fense, and the courts must be resOrted to-
The board must decline to have anything
to do with it whatever.
Colonel Zacharie-Will the board allow
these people in their own defense to appear
before the board and testify in regard to its
President Wells-Take them before the
courts and get their testimony.
General Anderson-After witness de-
parts from here we Lave no further author
ity. Suppose she had testified in q criminal
case and this attack had been made after
she had left the courtroom? The court is
not responsible.
President Wells-Gentlemen will close
this discussion. 1t don't apply to the ques-
tion before US.
Mr., Morey-I have some other witnesses
from the parish of Ouaohita that l would
he glad to examine, two military officers
who have been on duty for some time IN
that parish. Will the board hear thoml
President Wells-We can not hear any
mony of two witnesses in rebuttal OF the
testimony we had before us yesterday, and
We can't spend our time now. We must
decline your motion.
Mr. Morey-If that is the decision of the
board, allow me to inquire if, in the exam
instion the rules are to be observed, that
those only are to be examined to whom
served on us, or is it proposed to introduce
witnesses of whose examination we have
had no notice!
President Wells-There will be but very
little testimony given here. You will have
the right to crOss-examine the witness.
Mr. Morey-Very well. l have no objec-
ton to that. Introduce anybody.
President Wells-We must close this tes-
timony by Friday evening. at four O'Clock,
and YOU must prepare to have your testi-
mony in by that time.
Judge Spofford-Will You fix the day
va don't care what day-in which they
will be taken up, so that we may prepare
in order that they shall be arraDgedi
President Wells-When we get through
with this one, then we propose to take up
and open the returns from the other
parishes. With reference to the protest OF
Colonel Zacharie and others in regard TO
the city election, the board are not eatls-
fed in their own minds upon that subject,
and we would be glad to be informed in re-
gard to the naturalization laws and other
subjects connected with it, and would be
glad to hear counsel on both eides-one
hour each-confning themselves to the
frauds that are alleged to have been conf
mitted In procuring this election.