New-York tribune., 1876-11-21


THE RULES ADOPTED BY THE RETURNING BOARD
GOVERNING THE COUNT.
NEw-ORLEASs, Nov. 90, 1876.
The following are the rules adopted by the Board
with view to regularity and expedition i'll the dis
charge of its duties:
First. The Returning officers will meet at ~ o'clock
m each day. Sundays excepted, at the place designated
for holding their sessions, unless different hour OF pace
be designated ut adjournment.
Second Upon meeting, the presiding oiiicer OF the
Board shall order the roll OF members called aud II
quorum be present. he shall direct the secretary TO read
the minutes the preceding meeting OF meetings. uh-
less the reading thereof be dispensed WITH
Third The Secretary shall daily keep an accurate ac-
count of the proceedings of the returning officers
Fourth: The Board shall first take up, canvass, ana
compile returns from parishes where no objection Is
made IN the canvass or compilation OF the votes cast at
ans polling place in parish parishes on account
NJ fraud or intimidation other Illegal practice, exam
ming these only 10 ascertain whether the legal formali-
ties have been complied with in holding the election an'
making the returns 80 the returning officers.
Ffnh: That after Jsposing Of lhe parishes as pro-
yded in the preceding rule, then the returning officers
take up parishes in }hch objection is made to the vote
OF any or all polls uch parishes, that they first can
yas aud complete tie votes at the polls In such parishes
TO which no objection is made, and then they
shall take up the contested polls IN such
parish provided that IL becomes necessary To dely the
Investigation of any such polls on account oil te aO-
senc OF witnesses other evidence, the same may be
continued unti ay 10 be fixed by the returning officers;
mat the returning officers shall decide at the time they
are ready to proceed what parishes they Will take up
SIth: That all motions made by candidates OF 'her
attorneys or by other persons authorized to appear De-
,r tho returning officers shall be In writing and signed
all arguments presented TO the returning cncers shai
he In writing no oral arguments to be allowed
SerenM The returning officers If they think it advisa-
inf SsiOD to consider any MOTION OF
or,r,meut or proposition which may be presented To
them any member shall have the right 10 can LOT Sc
cret session for the above purposes.
F;obM When any candidate or his attorney, or other
person authorized do 50, shall produce witness DC
fore the returning officers he shall present the h'eog
atores 10 be propOunded to such Witness when ne sha
have previously submitted his opponent to be crossed
t least "a hours unless such time be waived or the
crossnterrogaores put before the expiration OF that
time in the examination of witnesses the returning OIL
GERS may interrogatc witnesses beyond said interroga
tores when they think necessary but candidates aud
their attorneys shall not examine witnesses before he
returning officers except as above provided
Ninth No er pate aidavits or statements shall he re-
ceiyed except as basis show that such fraud, nti-
,ton or such Illegal practice at some poll requires III
terrogatories, but returns and aiiavs authorzeu py
law made by officers of election, or In verihcaon OF
statement as required by law shall be rece'eu Ill e'i
dcncc prtDld fdcie ,, l.,
any parish when concluded, shall be lald aside
uutn all the evidence is in from all the con-
tested polls in the several parishes where there
viii be contestants, and after the evidence
il all in the returning officers will decide the several
in session. Contestants or their attorneys
will be allowed to submit briefs written arguments
nm 10 the time fixed for the returning officers to go into
secret session. after which additional arguments will
be received unless by special consent.
The board began the canvass of the vote, taking
ND the undisputed parishes in alphabetical order.
Three parishes, namely Ascension, Assumption, and
Avoyeles Iwere disposed of, giving about the same
vote as shown in the tables made heretofore from
duplicate poll lists.
The Hon. G. w. Julian, who at first declined to
serve on the committee of which Gov. Palmer is
chairman, because he then expected to return home
has consented to be added to that committee and
will remain here until the pending Investigation Is
concluded.