New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-11-24

saying that he was in error when No spoke
Of there beiug vacancies on the board
There was but one vacancy. The conmu'
nication also referred to the appointment
Of the clerical force of the board. President
Wells stated that the clerical force was
complete and that they could make no al
teration in it.
Calonel Zacharie-I understand that
when the returns of Lafourche parish were
opened Yesterday there was some objection
in regard to poll No. 9 We have ovidenoe
ia r. gard to the condition Of affairs there,
and we also have . certified copy OF the
off cial returns made to the clerks office OF
that parish, both Of which We will submit
tor the information Of the board.
General Anderson-We have copy OF
that poll.
President Wells-But If You desire them
to 90 before the board, there is 60 Otjec-
ton.
Colonel Zlchsrie-Then in poll No. 10,
on the compiled statement, is contained
certain facts to the effect that tho party
comiog with the box was in an intoxicated
coudition: that it was not sealed, eto, and
the official copy aud the statement OF the
gentleman delivering the box and the Re
publican constable who accompanied him.
/ would like to state verbally. fec the justi-
fic A'ipn uf tbs gentleman, that he Eever iE-
Gulges in drink.
President Wells-We have also state
N. rts that have just been received this
morning with reference to that matter.
Colouel Zacharie-I have also the aifi-
Gavits 10 regard to Laiourche, " hich alle ge
fraudulent voting. not giving the Demo
cratic commissioner certain polls, WHICH,
together with all the statements, show facts
connected " ith the election, we would like
the board to take under consideration.
DIR. McGioin offered a modification OF
the protest offered by him yesterday. and
also a motion ordering that immeCi st. | y
upon all the returns in the possession OF tho
board, copy OF evidence and dccumenfs
connected with the contested parishes in
which hs acted as counsel, should be fur
ni-hed him.
He wss directed to file i. by the presi-
dent.
He also stated that he thought that the
board was in error as to the character and
nature OF the protest which he presented
Yesterday in relation to the adoption by the
board of certain rules. The secretary had
recorded that as protest. 1t was not q
protest; it was q demand that the board
should modify its rules with reference to
giving counsel an opportunity to prepare
their evidence. He asked the board to act
upon the demand that the rule be modified.
He also stated that the rule which the
counsel complained against most greyiously
was the one giving prima facie force and
effect to the report of the supervisors. This
prima fAcie case which the rule established
counsel could not overcome. All their op-
ponets had to do was to Introduce wit
nesses in opposition to the witnesses intro
duced by the contestants until the patience
of the board was exhausted. The claim OF
counsel was that prima fscie evidence be-
longs to the poll. and that persons attack
ing il must satisfy tie board that the poll
was not correct, otherwise it mnst stand
Colonel Zacharie-I would like to ask for
| information whether the returns OF the
parish OF Murehouse are filed here!
Mr.. Green-No, Sir.
Colonel z icharie-Will the board please
order the secretary to furnish counsel re-
| port Of what returns are not absolutely in
the hands Of the secretary, and what are
Anil out-that is what have not been filed.
President Wells-Wo can not give you
| that statement now; the secretary has not
| time to pre- pare 1t.
Judge Spofford-You stated that the par
| ish of East Baton Rouge was In. ask
now that the gentlemen be permitted to
| inspect all the papers. and have copies OF
all tho papers raising questions OF IN
portance in that case.
President Weils-We have not examined
the returns of that parish yet.
Judge Standardization u1s for again in
terrup,iug. Did l understand you to cay
tina. the request we have made for tbs
opening OF all returns now IN is granted OF
| retused2
President Welis-We can not consent to
| the opening of any returns IN public fo'
some time. We must go on as usnal. We
| had a great deal of difficulty in 1874 in 'hi.
! matter. A great many charges were
| brought against .he board and its clerical
| force in consequence of having the papers
| opened and read fer the inspection OF the
| entire pubic
| Colonel Zacharie-Msy I ask how many
| davs there are before you in which to com
| plete your labors!
President Wells-The electoral vote must
be canvassed by the sixth.
Mr. McGlOin-With due respect to the
board, allow me to suggest there are sew.
| eral parishes in VI hich it will take Elk or
seven days to get the witnesses here. Ii i,
| takes four or Eve days to get these wit
nesses, how can We protect the interests oi
our clients. having only two or three days
notice9 How will we have time to bring
| the witnesses DOWN
President Wells-1n law you always
have your witnesses in court. Why not
have tht IN here now. without any request
on our part to furnish you with a state
mept where there is contest! You know
| the nature of the contest.
Mr.. McGloin-I beg leave to differ with
You upon that question. We don't kn0"
| that. and, 80 far as being counsel IN the
coarts, we have the records open to u.s. we
can tell the character Of the demand
| against US, but we have not got that here
Pre- sdent Wells-You know there Is
| contest.
C.lone! ,charie-Wa don't know the
| nature of the contest We know there are
contests. We suspect. bat we don't know
| the grounds. There arc intimidation, brib-
| cry. corruption, and dozen more grounos
| upon " hch to contest. but We don't know
| what the grounds are here.
| President Wells-We must adhere to ouI
| ruling. If there are no more motions or pc
titions or protests, the board viii 60 into
| executive session.
| Judge Spofford--If l understand the
ruling of the board. our committee is en-
titled to he present during the examination
| of the returns of q contested parish
President Wells-When We take them NJ
| for final consideration We will let yOu
| know.
Colonel ZachaIie offered request on be
half of II. u. Moore, candidate in thu
eighth district, asking to be present wher
! the canvass in his district was made.
| President Wells, in reply to Judge Spot
! ford, stated that ss soon as the parishe
| where there were contests had been openee
and thoroughly examined, counsel woult
| be permitted to come in and inspect then
| before any action was taken.
! The following letter was received oy TN
| president of the board:
MAyoxALrr OF new ORLEASr
New OF. cans. November 70, 1876
Hen. J. Madiso Wells President Returning Boar
| Of tho btats OF louisiana:
| S1R-I am instructed by the City Council
| citing in committee of the whole, to re