The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-11-18
The Precise Attitude in Louisiana.

1t Is impossible to foresee how a law of
such character as the Louisiana Election
law can be administered by such body
rs the present Returning Board of that
State. 10 the satisfaction OF the country.
The history OF the law itself, and the noto-
rious purpose for which it was made,
render it exceed ngly doubtful whether
advantage will not be taken of certain
construction which it is pretended may be
put upon IT, 10 produce the result Of u
legal declaration that the HAYES electoral
ticket has received q majority Of the pop
ular vote But under any construction Of
which this law is capable, the result
reached by tho process provided by the
law can be nothing but a fictitious result.
IL may be the duty of the people Of
the country, us insisted by our
contemporary, the Hcrdld, to ac-
quiesce in the declaration OF the legal
result, although that result may be nothing
but n legal fiction. But, while we agree
with the Herdd that all appeals to vio-
ience and all antcipations Of clvll disturb
Rnce are TO be deprecated and discount
tenanced, We think il due to truth and
justice TO point out precisely how this
Louisiana Election law has been framed,
30 as to enable Its administrators to make
the popular vote appear IN legal acccpla-
tion TO be anything that they may choose
to have il.
1t appears from n careful reading OF the
law that the polls are in charge of what
are called Commissioners of Election, who
make their retnrps II body called the
" Returning Officers for all Elections in
The state and popularity known rs the
Returning Board. \ majority of this Re
turning Board constitutes a quorum, aud
has power 10 make the returns of all cleo
tions. Within ten days after an election,
the Returning Board is required to meet
IN New Orleans and compile tho state
meuts of votes mad" hy ia" Commi,si III
srs of Elections and make returns Of the
election 10 the Secretary OF state The
process Of canvass ana compilation l. the
most extraordinary system thar LA, even
been devised FOR concentrating an absolute
and irresponsible power into the hands of q
small body of officials.
FIRST, the statements from all polls OF
voting places at which there shall
have been fair, tree, and peace
nhle REGISTRATION and election, are tc
be compiled before anything else is
done. secondly whenever, from any poll
oryotlng place, "A statement shall be re-
ceivcd in II certain form which shows
Oh tends 10 show, that there was not
aialr free, and peaceable vote Of all quail
med electors entitled to vote at that pol
Dr voting place, the Board is not 10 can,
VasS, count, or compile such returns of
votes, but Is to proceed 10 investigate the
statements which are ID affect those votes
Full authority il given to reject the vote
GerliIed by the local commissioners o.
election, If the Board shall be convncet
that riot, tumult, acts OF violence, intimi
dailon, armed disturbance, bribery, or cor
rIpt influences did materially interior,
with the purity and freedom Of til,
election at such poll or voting place, o.
dill prevent sufficient number of til,
qualified electors thcreat from registering
aud voting 10 mater tally change the resu
OF the election.
This unparalleled Discretionary powe
20 reject certified returns on th'
assumption that things took plac
Mt the polls which prevented Ger
tair n"rsous from voling whose vote