The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-12-20
THE REPORT Oh LOUISIANA.

nesday, when the President forwarded
the special message Oh Louisiana af-
fairs:
| The Chair laid before the Senate a
message from the President of the
United States lDclOslhg a report of
Senator Sherman and other members
of the committee which visited New
Orleans, together with the accompany
ing testimony in regard to the recent
election in Louisiana, aud moved that
it be printed and lie on the table.
Mr.. Thurman objected to printing
all the matter accompanying the mes
sage, though he had no objection to
printing the message and the commu
ncation of the committee.
Mr.. Sherman explained that the
communication was prepared in res
ponse to the request Of the President
that certain gentlemen proceed to
Louisiana to witness the canvass of
the votes before the Returning Board.
These gentlemen did meet in New Or
leans, and this was their report to the
President.
Mr.. Eaton (Democrat,) of Connecti-
cut, inquired if the communication
contained the report aud testimony of
both the Democratic and the Republi-
can committee.
Mr.. Sherman, in reply, explained
the meeting and action af the two
committees before the Returning
Board, and said he could say in ad-
vance of any debate on the Louisiana
case, that the canvass was open and
public; that every act done and every
word said by the Returning Board off
| GERS was in their presence, and in the
presence of a committee Of gentlemen
selected by the National Democratic
Committee, and when contests were
up they were carried on in presence of
the candidates and their attorneys.
All the proceedings were reported for
publication and published in New Or
leans, and are now communicated to
the President and to Congress, and
with the sanction of the State, would
be communicated to the whole people
of he United States. The testimony
oral and written, in his opinion, estab-
lished not ouly the fairness of the can
vass and its strict conformity to the
letter and spirit of the law of Louisi-
ana, but also it's Justice. The proof of
intimidation, terror, burning, whip
ping aud murder committed, in pursu-
ance of an organized plan to prevent
the election of the Republican electors
and the return of the Democratic cleo
tors, was 40 full and complete that the
public mind would believe that any
other finding of the board wOuIi Lave
been reprnach to our civilization aud
an inter overthrow IN Louisiana of the
freedom of elections, upon which the
preservation of our republican institu-
tons rest. He did not know the re-
suit OF the canvass except rs he Jaw 1t
in this mornings papers, nor could he
say whether the board acted rightly or
not as to specific polling places, until
be could compare their action with the
facts proven; but he did not say that
upon testimony taken by that board
its fading was justified ty the law of
Louisiana and by the highest prinei-
plies of justice and honor.
| In reply to Mr.. Eaton, Mr.. Sherman
said all the published testimony taken
by the Democratic Committee accom-
pauied the communication to the Pres
/ ident hut there were some depositions
OF which they could not obtain copies
in time. He argued that it was the
express duty Of the President to sub
nit this information 20 Congress, AZ
there was no matter of more impor-
lance than questions connected with
canvassing boards and making a Pres
ident of the United States.
Mr.. Bogy Democrat, Missonri) said
he took some part with the Democratic
committee in New Orleans just after
the late election. He believed the
election in Louisiana had beeu orderly
and without intimidation. He spoke
of dispositions sent to the Senate by
the President with the communication
of the committee, and argued that they
were all in violation of the law OF
Louisiana, as the law of the State pro-
vided that any evidence of fraud or in
| timidatioD should be sent in within
twenty-four hours after an election.
He then referred to the case of Eliza
Pinkston quoted by Mr.. Sargent, and
said grosser imposition had never
been attempted in this country. Her
case had no reference to politics, aud
he was astonished to hear the Senator
from California allude to it. He (Bo-
gyl went to Louisiana to see a fair
count, and if he was satisfied that the
State voted for Hayes he would say so,
but he felt convinced that Tilden car
ried the State, although 5000 persons
were DISTINGUISHED in New Orleans.
! Mr.. Conkling Republican, New