New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-11-23

| are . number Of gentlemen belonging to
the delegation with us to-day who are not
on the committee, but whose curiosity
prompts them to remain awhile.
President Wells-You may invite them to
remain; they are at liberty to take seata.
1t they wish to remain any length OF time
during the session We will give them carns.
Governor Wickliffe-I understand, Mr.
Chairman, from your reply to letter OF
mine, that was to be admitted to the SEES
sions of the board, as . candidate, when
q contest was in progress. claim the legal
right under the law to remain during the
whole count.
President Wells-The letter contains an
omission. We intended that yOu should be-
present whenever there was contest; but
when there was nd contest, there was no
necessity for your being present.
Governor Wickliffe-It seems 70 me there
ia contest in every parish.
President Wells-I mean where there is
@ dispute in any parish, that, as an elector
at large, you would be admitted; that was
the intention and spirit of the letter.
Governor Wickhffe-It is not contained
in your answer to me in the conmuuica
ton. because the issue was distinct, that as
an elector at large l had the legal right to
President Wells-We don't admit your
legal right.
Governor Wickiffs-It seemed to me that
il is inevitable from the answer, or l surely
would not have been here.
President Wells-It is an omission en-
tirsly on Our part.
General Apderson-Who wrote the let
ter!
President Weiis-I instructed Mr. Green
to write the note myself, and was explicit
in telling him the language in which it
should be COnched
Governor Wickliffs-I was not aware Of
that; l was governed exclusively by the let
ter. 1t seems to me that have right to
be present in any count. for there is con-
test in every parish between myself and the
other elector. Surely might be poss essed
of some information where there was no
contest that might bring before the board.
President Welis-Whensve we tiad there
is an error, sir, We will ask you for informa-
tion.
Governor Wicklitfs-Thsn 1 understand
that you retrsct this communication.
President Wells-I retraot this communi-
cation.
Governor Wickliffe-very good 60 far ss
being present. Where there is condition
President Wells-Very we'll, use your
own option.
Governor Wickiiffe-YOu will allow me
the privilege of fling q protest.
President Wells-File your protest, sir.
The returns from the parish of St. Mary
were then called for and brought in, signed
by j. T. Gordy, supervisor. The returns
were signed by the supervisor, and sworn
to before the clerk of the district court Of
the parish of st. Mary, with the seal of the
court attached. The commissioner of ele..
ton states that from poll five to poll nine
the returns were made more than thirty
six hours after the closing OF the election,
and he entered his protest against receiving
and couniiog the returns.
G.reral Anderson-There is no objection
to that. In my parish, which is very much
scattered, it is three days before some Of
the polls came in and we're counted. In
some Of the parishes the polls we're seven
ty miles from the courthouse, and it would
be impossible to get ths returns in within
thirty-six hours. So far as am concerned.
l see no objtc tcti0n to the returns on that
ground. II you were to throw out parishes
on that ground you would throw out half
of the parishes in the State of Louisiana.
/ will venture to assert that there were
polls here that were not counted out tor
thirty six hours afterward. There is no OBJ
.jection to the returns on any other ground.
President Wells-Go on and give the vote.
General Anderson then announced the
vote. aA follows: