New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-12-10
THE LOUISIANA ELECTION
TIE PRESIDENTS SPECIAL MESSAGE
REPORT OF THE NORTHERN Committee
Tue following is the special message sent
to Congress by the President on Wednesday

Tue following is the special message sen
ts Congress by the President on Wednesda
last
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
Washington, December s, 1876.
Ia the Senate and House Of Representatives:
have the honor to transmit herewith
letter. accompanied by testimony, nd
dressed to me by Hon. John Sherman an,
other distinguished citizens, in regard Il
che canvass Of the vote for Electors in tn
State Of Louisiana. U. S. GRANT.
LaEFORT OF THE NORTHERN REPUBLICAl
COMMITTEE AT NEW ORLEANS.
The letter transmitted by the President
Is - follows:
20 tho President Of the United States:
In pursuance of your request, that severs
-of the undersigned should proceed to New
Orleans and there witness the canvass BY
tiss Returning Board of the State of Lou
Hsiazs of the votes cast in that State for
She United States, we have performed that
sf1ty, and now most respectfully report
thai on our arrival in that city We found
several gentlemen who came representing
Republican State organizatiOns who have
throughout co-operated with those who
vent at your request, and whose names
xre also appended to this communication.
Between the gentlemen representing the
Democratic party and ourselves q CORES.
pandence in writing ensued, q COPY of
which is appended hereto. Reference to
1t will disclose that conference with us
far the purpose of exercising an influence
upon the Returning Board was declined
upon the ground that the only duty de.
'v1lving upon US was to attend before
the board and carefully note its proceed.
fngs, and finally to report faithful history
wIf arv0h nnSn
Gle same ss truth and justice should de.
r1and.
Such a report We are now able to present,
and We take pleasure in stating that our
a5lity to do SO is due to the exercise of the
courtesy and kindness of the Returning
Board, which entitle its members not only
TO our thanks, but to that confidence which
Just public extends toward every tribunal
which desires that all it's proceedings should
as duly presented to public scrutiny. 1t
was our earnest wish that this publicity
should be attained, but We should have
tsle delicacy in requesting any privilege
not IN harmony with the usage of the board.
We were, however, relieved from all en-
aarrasement by receipt of formal invita-
eicz,, hereto annexed, delivered to us and to
gentlemen who attended at the request of
the chairman of the Democratic National
COMMITTEE, inviting the attendance of five
gentlemen from each delegation as specta-
ytors and witnesses of the proceedings of
cno board, and this invitation was accom-
panied with an offer to furnish steno-
graphic reporters, selected by each COM
Euittee, to be present and make q full 70
port of all the proceedings and testimony,
aud to secure the daily publication thereof
ny the press.
The undersigned made arrangements for
chat purpose with the proprietors of one
Of the daily newspapers printed in New
Orleans, and thus perhaps there and else
where have been enabled to give such pro-
seedings and testimony the widest circula
tioo. In justice to the board it should also |
be stated that this privilege was freely &C.
corded by it's members, without solicitation, |
aud that they cordially united with US in
tie desire to have all their proceedings
. published throughout the country. The |
Fcrut tiny invited by the board has been con.
atxutly exercised day by day. Both COM
anittees have been in attendance before the |
hoard with thelc sten0graphic reporters, |
aud in addition privilege was rendered |
10 both committees of inviting gentlemen |
from States other than Louisiana, has been |
eeverai times availed of as the returns were |
u pened, whether contested or not. The
papers inclosed have been freely rendered |
to the committees for examination, and |
lave usually been carefully inspected, and |
80 means of detecting any possible |
respective parishes, both committees were |
furnished by the respective parties with |
statements OF the vote as claimed by them |
that by comparison it might |
lie known if any alteration had been made |
Ia the returns to be passed upon by the
board, with which statement the returns
Usually agreed.
Whenever it was known to the board
that a return was to be contested, the at
oorneys for the candidates interested were |
seat tor to be present at the cere mOny of |
opening, and when such knowledge was at
taiuable only by the inspection of the in
SIDE OF the package containing such re-
terms, these attorneys were invited to be |
present before any action was taken upon
q. There were thus secured, in the man.
ier STAGED, publicity of all the proceedings
II the board and q most careful scrutiny of
svery package of returns by it opened, and
" opportunity for candidates insisting
Upon the validity OF the returns to appear
personally and by counsel before the board,
n many instances before the returns were
,peued, and IN every instance before action
vas taken upon them. 1t has been believed
ute unusual to give such full and wide
IQread publicity to the proceedings of a
eturniDg Board Nor do we think that a |
stter means for permanently recording
lSary word and act OF it's members while
Engaged in the discharge of their duty |
oula have been afforded than those en-
Dyed Having thus presented u statement
f the means accorded of witnessing the
auvass, it may be well to state briefly the
suees which led to the creation OF such
aard 10 Louisiana, and to call attention to
he statute which devOlves on it powers
nd duties of great public Importance.