New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-11-25
THE RETURNING BOARD
ANOTHER HARD DAYS WORK
Several Democratic Attorneys and q
Few Parishes Disposed of.

Several Democratic Attorneys and q
Few Parishes Disposed of.
Tho board was cslled to order at hslf.past
eleven O'Clock by President Wells, all the
members being present. The committees
on behalf Of the invited guests we're IS
follows: Messrs. StOughton, Hall, Van
Allen, White and McGrew representing the
Republican visitors, and Nessrs. Trumbull,
Palmer, Smith and Julian representing the
Democratic visitors.
General Anderson-I move the adoption
Of the minutes.
President Wells-Before approving the
minutes will state that we received just
after the adjournment Yesterday the report
certificate Of which he states that the elec-
tors were all placed upon the ballots, and
that but three of them were Tailed. We
now want to place this upon record before
the decision in the Natchltoches case. Will
you open it, General AndersOns
General Anderson opened the paper and
read as fOl,owe:
tOches-In accordance with my duty as
United s ates supervisor for the parish of
NatchitOches. State of Louisiana, hereby
transmit nv report. Being stationed at
ward No. ii, in the said parish, and State
of Louisiana, aver that we have had q
quiet and peaceable election; every man
having an equal chance to cast his suffrage
IN accord ance with the law. At the closing
Of the poll, ut the regular hour, there were,
in all, 7l9 ballots in the box. After care
ful canvass three were thrown out, on &C
connt of being double ballots, or two folded
together leaving balance of ZIG ballots in
the canvass, or to be counted, in which the
nominees for presidential and vice presi-
dental electors received the same or nearly
the same vote, to wii:
For Rutherford B. Hayes SAL, for Hayes
/, William P. Kellogg 54l, Burch SAL, Shell
don 542, Msrka $40 Levisee $40. Brewster
542, Joseph $40, Jofri0n $40.
For President Tilden III, for Vice Presi-
dent Hendricks III, for presidential elec-
tors-McEnery l73, Wickliffe l73, st. Mar
tin l73, Poche l73, DeBIanc l73, Sesy l73,
Cobb 170 or l73, Cross l73.
Ny reasons for making this report was
that thought it was only necessary to can
vAss the electoral votes for the electors at
Large and for the fourth congressional dis.
tfict, but as have been informed that 1t IL
absolutely necessary to state the whole
vote given. take this method Of 40 doing.
JOHN B. LOUIS,
United States Supervisor of Elections for
the parish of Nachitoches.
President Wells-State the names OF the
commissioners of election.
General Anders0n-W. B. Carr, Green
Edward, D. w. Hibly. The number of bal
Lots polled was ZIG, and three were re-
ieoted.
Mr.. Gauthreaux-I believe there are in
the parish of Nstchitoches three commits
sionors for every poll; there were ten polls,
there must, therefore, be at least thirty
commissioners. Now, We don't know the
commissioners at every poll.
General Anderson-We can very easily
ascertain who they were bv looking at the
returns again.
Mr.. Gauthraaux would like lthe
board to suepen nd action until we have time
to look into this matter, 1t is very import
ant. as there are more than 500 votes in.
President Wells-The object of having
Nstchitoches compiled was to get it on the
record. No action will be taken on it for
the present.
MI. Gauthraaux-Is the compilation Ito
be corrected by outside testimony
President Wells-As matter of course,
this ia not Outside testimony. 1t comes di.
rectly from the supervisor of election. 1t
was here in due time, but was overlooked
In canvassing the returns from Nstchi-
toches.
Mr., Gauthereaux-We have here the
abatement of the United States supervisor
of Madison parish. The question is, upon
his statement will the returns be varieds
President Wells-It depends upon CIR
cumstancee, in accordance with the magni-
tude of the question springing up IN that
return. ..
Colonel Zacharie-Will the board admit
Il to depy the return if we can establish
the fact that the return is incOrrects
General Apderson-Thisi is not the return
of the supervisor. It is the return and cor
tifcste Of the three commissioners holding
tho election at that poll.
Colonel Zacharie-Was the date on the
return itself when it came here, or was 1t
added eince2
General Anderson-I can not say without
sending after the returns to see.
President Wells-C0ionel Zacharie, will
von have the kindness to correct that eX-
preston.
Colonel Zscharie-What expression!
President Wells-You ask if the date was
put upon the return after 1t was received
here. Now, that implies good deal.
Colonel Zacharie-I did not mean to cast
anv reflection up. n the board. The recorde
are liable to be burglarized and tampered
with.
President Wells-We opened the returns
before you.
Presiden Mt wells-I opened it right here
in public. :.
Colonel Zacharie-The question is did il
appear upon it when is was brought up yes
President Wells-It did net; it was over
looked. As q matter of course 1t was MED
here.
President Weils-We will have to sus
rond further discussion on this subject
nntil the returns of Nstchitoches come uE
for further consideration.
Colonel Zscharie-Will the board allow
the testimony to be introduced on the ss
eertion that the ballots were 80 esstf
President Wells-The best evidence ls the
ballots themselves. No oral testimony OF
sworn to sfidavits will be received. Ths,
oan only be contradicted by the ballots
Colonel Zscharie-Will the board send
tor the ballOtsY -,
President Welle-We will.
General Anderson-I don't 500 how VI
President Wells-We can telegraph fol
tbem: but il must not delay us. Gentlemen
will cease any further action in this mattel
this morning until We have the polls before
us. and the question up tor final adjust
mont.
Mr.. MoGloip-It Ia not in connection WITT
this specially that I ask to call the atten
ton Of the board. The controversy whicl
ar;aea upon ths face of those documents
ilIustrstes and gives force to the applica
zion that we may be present at the 0penine
Of the returns. We would, therefore, aeh
Won to alter your rules and allow one OF 9'
70 be present at the opening OF each parish
President Wells-We shall not vary IRON