Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-12-15
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Louisiana.

The Louisiana board has counted in
Hayes electors, the men we wanted, but we
arc not satisfied with the result, nor do we
see how honest men can feel satisfied. Not
that we question Hayes majority Of legiti.
mate votes, but the report of that returning
board is no evidence. They are set Of men
whose conduct two years ago put them in
the class Of dishonest, corrupt workers of
political iuiquity. We say this on the
strength of our own judgment, and on the
official report of Geo. f. Hoar, William A.
Wheeler, and Walter Phelps. They con.
demned that board in the strongest terms,
both the men and their conduct; and We
have yet to learn one reason why better
things should be expected Of them now than
two years ago. Besides, the conduct of that
board has made confidence in them mpossi-
BILE. The law Of Louisiana provides that
the returning board shall be composed of men
of both parties. There was vacancy, and
the democrats wished it filed with one Of
their number, but the board defed both the
law Of the state, and the demands of de-
cency and public opinion. Surely this was
not the way to beget confidence in men who
had been denounced as they had by a con.
gressional committee. Then the proposition
Of the democrats who gathered at New Or
leans, from the north, was met by the re-
publicans in an evasive, semi-hippant man
ncr, which only increased the public distrust.
Nor did they have all their doings open as
honest men would, and as they could If they
had been intent on having an honest count.
Men who are thoroughly honest do not seek
refuge behind legal bubbles. Then the pain
full fact that the rule Of the Kellogg party
in Louisiana has been fraud, perpetrated
through the aid Of federal officials aud sus-
tanned by federal bayonets, was not calcu-
lated to inspire confidence in the proceedings
Of that returning board. Only one thing
could inspire the needed confdence-open,
clean, honest work in canvassing the returns,
and that has not been done. Then the 81.
lonce, during these painful weeks, of Messrs.
Iloar and Phelps, and others Of that commit
tee, has been suggestive. If they had any
satisfactory evidence that this returning
board was any better, or more trustworthy
now than two years ago, why did they not
give it to the country
These things have made it impossible for
US to have any confidence in that board, aud
until thorough and honest investigation is
held, and a report made, VIC do not see how
honest men can be satisfied. Even the
Tribune, now one Of the most partisan sheets
said of this board; ats conduct two year.
ago seemed to US outrageous, aud we have
never had any occasion to change that opin
ion. We have regarded every step it hal
taken in the present difficulties with suspi
cion." We have spoken thus plainly, mol
because we rejoice 10 the moral injury which
the republican party has suffered at tn,
hands Of this Louisiana board, but because
in view of the principles which the party
represents; of the achievements which il hal
wrought; of the fact that the greater pro
portion of the best forces of the land can b.
found in its ranks; and in view Of the seryie
il may yet be made to render the country
we desire to sec il saved; and we know o
no way of remedyng a social or poitioa
evil, save by dealing with things as the
exist. We appeal, therefore, to republicans
to demand of their leaders at once a thor
Ough investigation of these iniquities, and
prompt and just punishment Of the guilty