The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-11-14

Gov. stearns Claims the State Sure.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13-Th;s morning Secre-
tary Chandler. received the following despatch:
TALLAHASSEE, Fla, Nov II.
AS to the runners regarding Senator Conover,
he has this morning uneauivocally deared to
me in the presence of three witnesses that he
has sent no telegram which did not claim the
state as certain for the Republicans This
morning just before leaving for the north be
telegraphed to New York that the state had
gone Republican beyond question. We are
certainly safe.
(Signed) M. L. STEARNs.
TIE Republicans Hold the Fort
JACKSONVILLE, Nov. 13.-There has been a
general dicharge of colored men who voted the
Republican ticket and deposits in national
banks have been withdrawn by the Democrats
The canvass will show an increased Kepubli-
can vote and a majority clean over all the
frauds. Hayes runs ahead of the state ticket.
We still hold the fort PETER JONES,
Secretary Republican State Committee
Assuring Figures.
NEW YORK, Nov. 13.-Mr. Martin Chairman
of the Republican State Committee at Talla-
hassee, teegraphed last night that the reported
net Republican majority in % counties heard
from Is about 5000. The remaining IA counties
gave about 1000 Democratic majority in 1872,
and cannot possibly overcome the Republican
majority already ascertained, except by large
frauds.
Governor Stearns, Republican, says the Off
cial returns thus far received, cover only 25
counties, 10 of which give Republican ma
jority, and Is Democratic m majority The net
Republican majority is 1850. The same coun-
ties in 1872 gave $500 mojority. The counties
to hear from gave in 1872, 2OSS Democratic ma
jority, in 1874 1862 Democratic majority. In
both elections they gave 1900 less votes than
would be needed to overcome our present ma
jority.
Democratic Claims.
j. j. Daniel, chairman of the Democratic
committee at Jacksonville, says now doubt
Drew is elected Governor aud Florida has gone
for Tlden
Mr.. Drew, the Democratic candidate for Gov
ernor, last night claimed that frcm the cam
vass made under his personal supervision since
the election, through more than so counties, he
certainly has majority of not less than 500
votes and it will probably reach 1000.
The Returning Board.
In Florida the returning board Is under con-
troll OF the Republicans, being composed of Sec
rotary of State aud State Treasurer, Republic
cans, and the Attorney General. w. Archer
Cooke, who is a Democrat. Under the law 30
days are allowed the inspectors of election to
make their returns, 60 it will be several DAYS at
least before the votes officially reach the hands
of the returning board. An official certificate
OF the vote as returned by the legal board of
canvassers is filed ia the office of every county
clerk, SO that if the ballot boxes should be de-
stroyed there are legal means of proving what
the vote actbally was. This is not the case in
Louisiana.
In Florida the law requires that all the mem
bers OF the returning board shall be present
wbeD the returns are opened. At the election
OF Reed Tor Governor the returning DO ard broke
the seals and opened the returns before TIE en-
tire board assembled and counted in their car
didate, Blocksom, but the Governor took an
appeal and was declared by the Supreme Court
elected. The decision, however, was not reach
ed until about two mouths before the expira-
ton of the term of Office for which he was
elected.
William r. Cooke, the present Attorney
General of Florida, who is the only Democrat
who has any official relations with the return
lug board of that state, is represented as a gen
gleman of high character. He voted for Grant
in 1872, and for the present Republican Cover
nor, Stearns, but at the beginning of the present
campaign he took the stump for Tilden
Today is the last day for the county canvass
ers to do their. work, aud wea shall have full
returns in very few days. These returns will
be official and subject only to changes made by
throwing out certain precincts on account of
fraud or Irregularities The state board of can
vassers will hardly get to their work in ten
days. Each member of the state board has
pronounced in favor of fair count. Attorney
Gen. Cooke is relied on as thoroughly honest
and impartial man, and while it is believed on
all sides. that the vote of Florida will decide the
national contest all agree in desiring fair
count. The matter will hinge at last on the
throwing out of certain precincts by the state
board, as either side is prepared to contest GER
tain counties.