The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-11-24
THE SITUATION
The RepublicansC Claim
Florida ON the Pri-
ma Facie Vote.
THE RIGHT OF JUDGE WHITES
COURT TO ENJOIN GOV.
SpRARNS DENIED.
Hearing Had and De-
olson Reserved.
Explanation Of the ADJ
journment of the South
Carolina Board.
| THE SUPREME COURT ORDERS
IT TO REASSEMBLE.
The Order not likely
to be Obeyed.
The Louisiana Canvass
| Progressing Slowly.
THE SUPREME COURT ORDERS
IT TO REASSEMBLE.
The Order not Likely
to be Obeyed.
The Louisiana Canvass
Progressing Slowly.
New York Special.]
SOUTH CAROLINA,


Why the Canvassing Board Adjourned.
COLUMBIA, Nov. % The action of the can
wasting board is based upon the law of the
state, which requires the canvass of the vote to
be performed In ten days. The time expired
yesterday at IL o'clock
On the question whether the statement of
the county canvassers of Laurens county
should be included in the statement and deter
mination ofthe board the vote was yeas 2, nays
8. Those voting in the negative were the Ad-
jutant General, Comptroller General and State
Treasurer. In the affirmative, the Secretary of
State and Attorney General.
On the same question as to the county of
Edgefeld, all the members of the board except
the Secretary of State, voted for its exclu-
sion.
The court adjourned to Friday to hear argu-
ments on a new mandamus asked for by the
Democratic counsel, relative to the action of
the board on Presidential electors. In the
meantime the board of canvassers, who held
their sessions at the other end of the capital,
had taken the action already reported, which
will greatly simplify if it does not render I'M
necessary any further proceedings before the
court in reference TO their powers and duties.
The law Of South Carolina, as interpreted
by the board and always acted upon hereto
fore, requires the board to complete their work
as state convassers within ten days from the
time they commence their sessions, Sunda VS.
excepted. The time expired at noon. There
ID difference of opinion among lawyers as to
the true Interpretation of the statute, but at
all events there is no law, and there has been
no order of the court, requiring them to sit
longer than the ten Gays they have been &C.
pleted it's work, adjourned sine die and is no
longer in existence.
Certificates of election were sent to those de-
clared electad by the board. No certificates
were issued to either party in Laurens or Edge
field counties.
Members of the board say of their adjourn
ment sine de- that it was done to prevent the
possibility of the Democrats getting an advan-
tage hereafter blythe pretence that the board
had not complied with the law.
Ex-AttOrney General Alderman and all other
Republican lawyers in Columbia agree that
there has been no contempt of court.
Gov. Chamberlain last night sustained the
action of the board of canvassers, saying that
under the law they could not do otherwise.
He does not admit the power of the Supreme
Court to control the action of the board dur
ing the time of its existence, and is certain the
court has no power to extend that time. He
said the board was not guilty of contempt, but
would have been if the court in the first place
been done.
The conversation concluded as follows:
RepOrter-Coud the United States court in
any way interfere with state matters?
Governor-Yes, the court might say, for in
stance, that orders to reconvene the board of
officials, and might interfere and stop the pro-
ceedings.
Reporter If abe legislature, as organized by
the action of the board, should declare you
Governor, would you stick?
Governor-lf the legislature, as fnally Or
ganized, should throw out certain counties
whose returns have boon attacked because of
frauds, and by their action l should be elected,
l would certainly stick.
Reporter-Do yon think you have been elect
ed?
Governor-Certainly; it is my opinion that
by an honest count L have not less than 5000
majority.
Excitement at the Action of the Canvass
ing B oard-ResignHtiOu of EdjuIant
General Purvis.
Considerable excitement is reported through
out the state, but no demonstration of vloledce
or lawlessness. The action of the board of
state canvassers is considered final by the Re-
publicans, while the Democrats claim that it
has no effect because the whole question was
in the hands of the Supreme Court and
the board is guilty of contempt They express
their determination to continue the proceedings
in the court and bring the matter to a conclu-
sion there.
Last night the Democratic counsel served
The writ of mandamus issued yesterday by the
court on the members OF the board.
The Supreme Court will meet tomorrow to
hear the return of the board
E. w. Purvs, Adjutant General and men,
Der of the board of canvassers, says he has re-
signed his Office.
The Board Ordered to Escnssembie.
The court has issued an order reconvening
the board of canvassers tomorrow. One mem
Der of the board declares he will not obey the
order, and characterizes the court as pack of
scOundrelJ,