The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-11-18

ton OF q Democrat as speaker, wtsh
United states troops entered the chamber
and at the point OF the bayonet drove out
certain members Gov. kclloeg de-
nounced us not regularly elected MEM
bers. All this was loudly condemned by
tire Republicans OF the North. Even
Mr. Wheeler, the second OH the ticket
with Gov. Hayes, said in report to con-
gross, speaking OF the action Of the re-
turning board in casting oft Democratic
votes and parishes: ut never could
have been meant that this board, OF lis
our motion. sitting in New Orleans. al d
distance from tho place OF voting. and
without notice. could decide the right Of
persons claiming 10 be elected. The
board took different view OF its powers.
and proceeded TO throw out the votes
from many polls where they found
intimidation and violence 10 have exis.
ted The result was TO defeat per
SONS whom or the returns they should
have declared elected, and 30 elect per-
sons who should no, have been declared
elected" Remember this is the Re
publican candidate Tor vic.-prc>idcnt
who SAYS this. The majority OF the COM
mi,'cc led by MIR. Foster, OF Ohio. de-
cIsred in stronger language against the
action OF The board. The result WAS
that the work OF the board was undoue
in part 10y the Wheeler compromise. The
house sas given 10 the Democrats. But
what we wish 10 do now is TO show the
character OF the men who compose the
board. and not TO discuss with psrticu-
larity the outrages 1t committed. The
congressional committee reported the
following
The parish OF Rapiles chose three
members TO the legislature. The returns
elected all three conservatives. When
the proofs closed the only paper filed
with the board was the affidavit Of the
United States supervisor that the elec.
ton was in all respects full. fair. and free.
1t was not known In the parish that any
contest existed against those members.
They left their homes and proceeded to
New Orleans TO be present at the opening
oil the legislature. no iBtimation of con-
testing their seats or objection To their
election having been given by their oppo-
nents. At one OF their last sessions tn,
returning board declared all the Repnbii-
can members elected from that parish.
When the papers Of the returning board
were produced before your committee
there was found among them an affidavit
by Mr.. Wells, the president Of the board.
declaring that intimidation had existed
at certain polls in that parish. and that
the returns from that parish should there.
fore be rejected. The counsel for the
Conservative committee testified that
they had no opportunity to contradict
the statements of this paper; that they
had never seen or known of it before ::
and. that upon an examination of the pa
pers before the board when the proofs
closed. it was not among them"
The committee reported further. that
Mr.. Wells was not in Rapides parish on
the day Of election and had deliberately
sworn to facts OF which he had no know
ledge. and that his affidavit was false.
Now. be it remembered. that this is Re-
publican testimony against Wells, the
president Of the returning board, which IL
to decide between TIlden and Hayes. So
far as he is concerned, how much conf
dence can the people have in his action !.
Another Of the members is Anderson.
He helped Wells in the iniquities of 1874,
and is candidate on the Republican
ticker. How much confidence ought the
people TO have in his fairness: The
other two members are negroes. one OF
whom it is said has heen indicted for
felony, and both Of whom are the tools
Of Kellogg and his milions-
Every one OF these facts has been given
to the public by the reports OF Repnbli.
can committees OF Republican con-
crosses, and cannot DC denied by the lie.
publicans who are now attempting 10
bolster the returning board OF J. ouisiana.
II is fact that the destinies Of this coun-
try are now in the hands of Wells. the
periurer. and his fellows in political
crime.