The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-11-18
The Election Machinery In Republican Hand,

The Election Machinery IN Republican ~ nds.
TALLAHASSEE, Nov. Ito comprehend
the political situation In Florida, begin with
the fact that nearly every State official. eIecu-
tive or judicial and OF hgn or low degree, from
Key W est to the Alabama borders. Is appointed
by the Governor. Gov. stearns Ia Re
publican. The whole machinery OF tho
State administration. from local ballot
on the certia ate Of election Of each Prasiden-
tial Elector. II therefore In his hands OF III the
scrupulous or unscrupulous, as the case NAV be.
The place OF voting, the oficer who receives
the vote, the County.Boards and the state Boa d
which canvass the votes, and the Judgment
which Affects the certificates to be given Hl take
their origin 10 the Governor and his appOintees.
In each county the County Judge, the clerk
OF the Circuit Court, and Justice OF the Peace,
all appointed by the Governor, CANVASS the votes
cast In the several election precincts and on the
sixth day after eiection-to wit, Monday Of this
week, or sooner II tho returns shall have been
received-make and sign duplicate certificates
OF the result. Immediately transmitting by mall
one copy to the Secretary Of State ana the other
to the Governor OF the state.
Such certificate Is also by law to be recorded
In book by the aforesaid Clerk OF the Circuit
Court. The Secretary Of state, McLin. the At
torney-Genera Cooke, and Comptroller Cow
gill required by law on the 18th day
after the 7th OF November, OF soouer n the re-
turns shall been received, TO meet and form a
Board Of state Clnyassers and proceed to can
vass the returns, and determine and declare who
shall have been elected as Presidential electors
rs shown by such returns.
The statute saws II any such returns shall be
shown or shall appear TO be SO Irregular false or
fraudulent that the board shall be unable TO de-
termine the true vote they shall so certify and
shall not include such return IN their deteTmi-
nation and declaration.
Ihe practice has been both to purge the
county returns when the true total could be
determined, ana also to exclude yitated re-
turns altogether when the true votes could
not be determined. 1t Is hardly doubtful
that the State Board VIII, under this statute
and prectlce. go into. alleged Irregular
Indeed. several Of the leading Democrats
from the North, including Mr.. Marble,
MIR. Saltonstall and Mr. Sellers, who called upon
GOV. Stearns and me officers above mentioned
TO-DAY, were gwen TO Understand by each
one of thrm, 1rst, that they recognized II to
TO tho duty OF the Cauvas,ing Board to
canvass the returns, and OF the Governnr
to declare the result As certified To him, and,
secondly, tneY were assured by the secret iry
Of State that the canvass was to be plbhc, aud
thpt counsel upOn both Sides would be admit
ted, with a few representative men aud the
cnalrmen Of committees
II ~ singular proof Of the reputation
which Gov. Stotrns has acquired among hs
fellow citiLeus that desi ite tins assurance
the Officers Of the Democratic State Committee
this evening called upon him TO inquire wbetner
II was his purpose to himself canvass the le-
without waiting for the action OF tue
I. I'd, and TO Issue his certificate,