Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-11-24
Tho Election neturn.-IIo~ the case

Tho Election neturns-IIow the Case
stands
There cannot be said TO have been any
decided change in the political situation
during the past week, except that II is now
conceded on all sides that South Carolina
voted for Hayes and Wheeler. Florida and
Louisiana still remain doubtful, with
strong probability that it will eventually
provo that they are also 10 be counted,
where they belong, 10 the Republican col
umn. We give below what we believe 10
be fair summing up Of tho situation at
this time -
The South Carolina canvassing board
met on Saturday, aud their official count of
the votes actually cast gave a majority for
Gov. Hayes OF 1000, the consequence being
that all serious claim that the State has
gone for Tilden has been abandoned. This
result was reached under the restrictions
placed upon the board by the Supreme
Court at the instigation of the Democrats,
and without throwing out even one pre-
cinct or county on account Of Ku-Klux in
timidations or frauds. The canvass OF the
votes for Stale officers is not covered by the
order OF the court, and unless the board are
allowed TO throw out or correct :he vote in
certain counties where there is no doubt
that fraud and intimidation existed, ii is
probable that Wade Hampton and the rest
OF the Democratic ticket will be elected by
q small majority.
In louisiana the board OF canvassers he.
gan their work on Monday, in the presence
of five prominent Northern men from each
party, and will proceed with it as rapidly
as possible. Their work will differ from
that OF the South Carolina board, and will
take much more time, from the fact that
the functions Of the board are broader.
They are required TO hear and pass upon
evidence Of fraud, intimidation or any inn
proper means used to restrict or Influence
the result in any parish. They have a great
duty TO perform, and their position is a
very delicate one. The action OF the Dem.
ocrats seems TO pracli ,ally concede the State
to the Republicans. They must concede it
| If the votes secured to them by inlimida-
| ton are not counted. They have not the
slight est basis OF hope without these votes
are counted. The returns from forty out OF
| fifly-seven parishes have been received.
| These show about 5000 Republican MAORI
| ty. There will be contests in at least twelve
parishes. The districts in which there is
no contes: will under The law first be can.
vassed. This can probably be done in
three days. After this the contested dis
tricts will be taken up aud it will doubtless
require until December l TO dispose OF
them.
| In Florida ii has become clear that HAYES
has an honest majority of the entire vote
of the State. The returns from the back
county districts have disappointed the
Democrats. AS a last resort the Democra-
cy is endeavoring 10 prevent the Republi.
can Governor from counting the returns
according TO law. An attempt is made 10
override the returning board, which is the
only constitutional and legal method of de.
termining the result OF the vote. l, docs
not seem possible that the corrupt scheme
of the Democrats can lie successful. The
returns from additional Democratic coun.
ties reduce the Democratic majorities be-
low their estimates. 1t is shown that The
Republican claims TO the Stale are fully
justified. The proof of Democratic fraud
| - - "O' 0APse'cu th"t "ii TUX
returns will be in this week. The Govern
or claims the right to canvass the vote
under the old law OF 1si7. There is a
strong suspicion that the Democrats arc
trying TO hold back the returns in some OF
the back counties until the vote in the resi-
OF the State is heard from, and then, when
the Republican majority is known they
| hone TO "raise'' the Democratic vote in tle
back counties so as TO cover the Republi-
can majority and give the State 10 Tilden.
The latest dispatches state that the Su-
preme court of Florida has issued man
damus compelling the board of State can.
vassers 10 begin their. work at once, and
prohibiting Governor Stearns from taking
any part in the counting OF the votes.