New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-11-30
A LETTER FROM CoRTLANDT PARKER.

A LETTER FROM CORTLANDT PARKER.
SESSIONS or THE BOARD NOT sECREr-THEIR LIVES
NOT sAFE-PRIvACY NECESSARY.
The following letter has been received in Newark.
n J from Cortlandt Parker, one of the visitors who
has been present at the proceedings before tine Ke-
farming Board his statement of the methods OF
the Returning Board and the dangers which environ
its members being full of interest:
NEw-oRLEASs. Nov. %, 1876.
see criticism OF the Board OF Returning Officers here,
in the Northern papers which do them much injustice
Il Is stated that they hold sessions IL true that
after holding Gron sessions daily for awhile they 30 into
what they call Executive session" The room II cleared
EVERY one except the gentlemen representing the Dem
ocfatic party. headed by Gov. Palmer Of Illinois. and
those invited TO here by the President by Repub-
lican authorities who be sad, therefore, 20 repre-
sent Republican party In sense therefore, these
sessions before the Union and two stenogaphors
take down everything that passes, and make report
which Unpublished In daily newspaper, II Is diff
cult to pec how sessions can be more public
The nature Of the duties of this board would justify
more privacy they practice. They have to Opcn
slider canvass and buate the returns from SO counties
between Nov II and Dec 1 3. Over 20 these
ties clled parishcs) protested against by returning
officers on the ground OF intimidation. fraud, whole
sale corruption These protests supported by means
OF written evidence. Counsel for candidates claim and
receive hearing and introduce evidence
When contests begn the sessions to be open at least
TO contestng parties. II is evident that prvacy-secrecy
Ia an incorrect words essential.
representation OF the foreign reporters who here
asked day since for liberty attend the sessions
About dozen newspapers were concerned. The Pres
dent said their resolution could be changed that
many being present would reard expedition and then
added that a gentleman had been introduced by the
Democratic Committee who had proved himself un-
worthy of the privilege by addressing his newspaper
most scurrous letter. sandering the members OF the
board. The article read, aud simply infamous 1t
was from The Cincinnati Enquirer IL charged every one
OF the returning officers with crime. Cen Anderson
took rather trouble than seemed necessary to de-
uounce the charge against him. While he speaking
rfan IN the crowd said aloud, lie Is thief and I'll
have his LIFE" rush made. The mlscrcan was
arrested so firmly held that he could not The bowie
knife with which he armed. and he carried out
Some Others took his part but they Overpowered
| The Democratic committee disclamed and denounced
.be slanerer and his accusations and after few min
utes the business went The incident valuable
"a Illustrating tine good for sessions being not al
yrnvs uubc This board is not safe 1t Ia plain that
this ia their own judgment In 1874 their sessions were
.I,ogetbcr public They then placed In great dan
GER II IA said that they were shot at and that an
assassin was present at the board to make an end OF
GOV Wea Brave as that old nis, he did not wish to
| he attacked when unable to defend bmseh
How they are going to manage with the confessed
cases IL is difficult to Their time Is limited Their