Saint Mary's beacon., 1876-11-16

Tue SITUArIoS.-We had hoped to
hsye been able to have presented our
readers in the present issue Of the BrA-
COW with sufficient uncontested returns
from the late presidential struggle to
have decided beyond the possibility of
. pcrsdventure the question as to the
incoming occupant of the presidential
chair. This hope has not been realized,
nor do we now think this vexed ques-
ton will be settled before the end Of the
present week. We have little doubt,
however, that there will be no Hayes
and no war. The democrats have at
least three hundred thousand majority
on the popular vote and have already
an admitted electoral vote of 1874, with
the returns from Louisiana, South Caro-
lima and Florida, not to hear from. but
be canvassed by the Returning Boards
Of these States. In two Of the States
named-Tiorida aud Louisana-the Of
fetal count shows that the democrats
have been successful BY twelve hun
drcd in the first and seven thousand ma
]ority IN the latter, while in South Car
DINA. though it is conceded that Hamp-
ton has been elected, with a legislature
democratic by a small majority, it is
claimed with some degree of plausibili-
ty that the vote on the electoral ticket is
too close TO authorize any positive assur
ance at present as to the result. 1t will
thus be seen that the democrats have al
least the prima tacie case in their favor.
and the only way they can now be defeat
ed is by the Returning Boards of these
States throwing cut enough democratic
counties in Florida and democratic par
i>hes in Louisiana to nulliiy the popu-
lar will as expressed at the ballot.box.
Whatever may have been originally
,mtendcd, We arc net prepared to believe
either that this will be attempted OF tha;
j, will be submitted to, il it is attempted.
There is intense and widespread ex-
citcment throughout the whole country
as 10 the possible action of these Re-
turning Boards, particularly that Of
Louisiana, already twice convicted Of
fraud, and the determination is unmis-
taxable to have fair canvass OF the
votes cast and no cheating. To do the
republicans justice, we believe that its
better men are as earnestly favorable
TO this as the democrats themselves
BE this as il may, the canvassing is TO
take place in public and in the pres
enee OF representative democrats OF
ability, experience, integrity. courage
and national fame, aud we are assured.
should either fraud or force be introduced
upon the final determination, thew NAV
b. depended on to give forth no uncer-
tain sound. In the meanw hile, We
should await with patience the action
Of these returning boards nor antici
pate IN advance that they will ell shock
the public conscience by a fraudulent
attempt 10 count Mr.. Hayes into the
presidency against the deliberately ex-
pressed wishes of the American people.
--S-
.THE ORPHANS AND COMMISSIONERS
CouRrs.-Both these Courts were in
session on Tuesday last. In the former.
the Petition OF Lydia 4. and LYDIA c.
Hutch,ns against DIR. Thos. Barber, Ex-
ceu,or of Lydia c. Billingsley. for ap-
plicstion Of rents was argued by James
IL. Wilson for petitioners and b. G.
Harris FOR the executor, the question
being whether the rent of particular
lands devised to the petitioners should
GO into the hands Of the Executor as as.
sets or TO the de,isees. Held sa5 curia.
We have nothing TO note in the pro-
ceedings OF the Commissioners Court
On Tuesday last of public interest be-
yond the resignation of Mr.. John n.
t;slves as Clerk TO the Board and the
appointment Of Geo. 4. Simms, Esqr..
10 ill the vacated position.
GrS. FlyzHrGu Lrg.-This distip-
suishcd officer of Confederate Cavalry
famc, paid our town a visit on Tuesday
evening last and was complimen.ed
with serenade by our Amateur Band.
The General VAS en- Toafe from Curr;o
i"an pes Steamer John w. Thompsof
To his home on the upper Potomac.
oRnER At rHE PoLIs.-We mention
With pleasure that notwithstanding the
excitement al ths polls on election day
In our county. it passed of without a
single breach OF the peace that has
come In our notice.