The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-11-29
THE RETURNING BOARD DETECTED.

The vigilance of the democratic commit
tee, charged with the responsible duty OF
watching the radical returning board of
Louisiana, is likely to produce very de-
cided change in the Convictions of all fair
minded republicans. Caught in the very
act of committing glazing fraud, there is
no possible escape from the conclusion that
in any case where it is necessary to tamper
with the returns 10 gain the radicals ma
jority the infamous work will be performed
The sealed packages containing the returns
of the various precincts and parishes were
doubtless broken open as soon as received,
and doctored to suit the exigencies of the
situation. This accomplished, the perjured
members of the returning board, with a
show of regard for fair dealing, were willing
to make certain concessions to the urgent
demands of democrats who visited New Or
leans in the interest of truth The impor-
lance of the movement on the part of the
democrats is now demonstrated beyond all
cavil, and we are convinced there is not an
honest map in the country who Will hest
tate to denounce Kellogg's returning board
Every suspicion of dishonesty is confirm
ed. The estimate formed Of the design of
of the returning board and of the
personnel of its members, by distinguished
republicans and democrats, in the light of
recent events, is shown to have been emf
nently just. The upshot of the whole mat
ter is simply this: there can be no confidence
whatever placed in the acts of the Louisiana
returning board. Those who have read the
telegraphic account of what transpired when
the returns from De Soto parish were opened
will see at one glance the programme fully
mapped out. The De Soto picture is only
one in the panorama of fraud that has been
moving before the eyes of the American
people, but it is conclusive in regard to the
character of those that have preceded
the darkness and those that are to fol-
low, if necessary, to count Hayes
into the presidential chair and per-
petuate Grantsm. The detection of the
De Soto parish fraud was accidental, occa-
stoned by an oversight of the radicals who
had concocted it-another illustration of
the proyerbial saying that murder will
out" The returns, enveloped and sealed
in De Soto parish on the 18th
inst, when opened in New Orleans on the
25th were found accompanied by protest of
one of the supervisors, sworn to in the city
of New Orleans on the 25th inst. This sealed
and registered package had been opened and
the protests inserted. The fraud was so pal
pable that the republican committee did not
seek to disguise its enormity. This trans
action stamps villainy upon the returning
board as ineffaceable as the mark the
Almighty set upon Cain.
There is nothing now for the Louisiana
returning board to do that will satisfy the
country but to count the votes as they Have
been cast, to let in the largest possible floods
of light upon the whole counting business,
and permit the people to witness the int
rior workings of Kellogg's internal machine.
All talk about bulidozed parishes and intimi-
dated negroes from this time hencefcrth will
pass as idle bosh and cIap-trap, entitled to
consideration whatever. De Soto parish will
pass into history as the place where the re-
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