New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-11-21

ing, the gentlemen will be heard. ] have
stated to counsel that they shall have all
necessary information, and we will try and
secure them room in the building for the
purpose OF facilitating the placing before
them such information as is necessary to
bring them before us.
Mr.. McGlOin-Will the board under
other circumstances permit "a to come in!
President Wells-NO sir. The board will
60 into executive session.
Mr.. McGlOin-Are We to see the returns
Of the parishes of Assumption and Ascen-
sions l understood we were to see them.
After we have looked at them We will retire
until We are gent for.
President Wells-Do YOU attempt to
make a contest now! There is proper
limit of time specified by law for contest
ing, and We believe that that time has ex-
pired. If there is no contest We shall go on
to count; if there ia q contest, we will then
apprlze you of it. We can not tell whether
there is contest until We examine the
returns.
Mr. McGloir-lt may be that the return
is not genuine, and for that reason believe
that you will recognize that We ought to
look before the canvass is made.
President Wells-Wheneyer we doubt
the genuineness of a return you shall see it.
Mr.. McGl0in-Iou may not know it is
not genuine. Our committee has taken t! 3
fled here. as they came from the boxes, and
we have had duplicates of them SO far as
they affect cur interests in the Senate. Ii
we compare these papers with the certified
copies we might detect things that would
establish them.
General Anderson-Then You would be
returning officers IS we'll we are. Ou fled
your returns and We have ours. We have
ours under seal, and ii they look as though
they had been tampered with in any way
we will inform you of it; but when they
come here ps official documents, author
lzed to be ken charge of by the proper
officers, we take them as official documents.
They are delivered and kept filed in the
proper offices.
Mr.. McGloin-The thing may be tam
pered with, and even an expert can not tell
you what has been tampered with.
General Anders0n-HOw do you know
tn 1t the boar has not been tampered with.
Mr.. McGloin-We will introduce evidence
to that effect
General Anderson-Well, when the con.
test arises we will hear your evidence.
Mr.. McGloin-I submit that we are estop-
ped by the action of any of the supervisors
between the time they have deposited the
papers and the bringing of them here, and
anything they may do. IL will not take
more than fifteen minutes to make an ex-
animation.
General Anderson-We are authorized by
law to do that, and when you submit your
evidence the conf7s will be taken under
consideration By the board, and it will give
it's opinion.
Colonel Y Zacharie-We desire to make our
objections to the count of some of the
parishes.
Gen. .ral Anderson-We don't want you
to make objections where there are none.
The presum ption is that the papers are cor
rect, it in proper form and under proper
signatures.
Colonel Zacharie-We would like the
opportunity to examine the papers. We
desirs to challenge the returns and offer
testimony 10 show that they Oughs not to
be considered by the board.
President Wells-I have this to say-itis
only a repetition of what We have said
that you shall be apprised of anything that
IS even suspicious; but we will not consent
to be hampered by attorneys. We must go
on with our duties, and we can not consent
that you shall come in and make protest
where there is none and We might suspect
il was for delay. We want to get through
Just as quick as we can, with as little diff
Guilty and trouble as possible. Therefore
we must adhere to the ruling that We go
into executive session and examine the
papers. and the gentlemen from other
States and their visitors will remain, and
they will be lnvit / to see us open the re-
tn. rs. II there is % dispute in the returns,
then we take it that the thing is regular.
Judge Spofford-The history of this State
is that the returns have been tampered with
before, and these gentlemen, who know
nothing of US, will be incompetent to de-
tect anything of that kind. These other
gentlemen, who have been perfectly ia
miliar with every parish, interested counsel
for candidate I, it does seem to nae, that
they should be present to see papers and
make their objections in time.
President w ells-You shall see the papers.
Judge Spotford-Butwe we may be met with
the statement that it is too late.
J. r. Alcee Gauthreaux-Will the result
be announced when the counting is con.
cluded by parishes ar 4 wardss
President Wells-Not until the board
makes up its finding.
Mr.. Gauthreaux-Our purpose in making
this request Is to give us an opportunity OF
objectiDg at the proper time. II, after the
board has made its finding, we detect that
something wrong has been done, all doors
are closed to US, because, under the law
which the gentleman quotes, the action of
this board is final. No court can review it.
President Wel!s-I told Colonel Zacharie,
! think, on Saturday, that there was no law
yer in court, and hence no snap judgment
would be taken. You shall know everything
that is done.
Mr.. McGloln-I suppose when you get
through, and before you come to your Il nal
papers, and if va detect any such error
or rascality as there might be, that then
YOU will allow US to offer our evidence. and
if our claim is we'll sustained, you will re-
view your action in such parish as irregu-
larity is shown!
President Wells-Whenever there is
contest, / must adhere to what havs said.
Before we submit our finding you shall see
them.
The president then announced that the
board would 60 into executive session, and
counsel were expected to retire.
Mr.. McGlOin asked if he understood that
the counsel for candidates were ordered to
retire.
President Wells-If that means order to
retire you can put your own construction on
it, sir.
Judge Spotford, not hearing the request
for retirement, asked that it be repeated.
He then said: Il can not remain as cOun.
sci for my clients, candidates."
President Wells-You must be governed
by the rule.
Judge Spofford-And that excludes me9
President Wells-If you consider it ex-
cluson, yes.
Judge Spotford-I will leave my protest
in writing.
President Wells-Send it in.
Judge Spofford-Will there be DOOR
keeper by whom can send it in9
President Wells-Yes, sir.
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
General Anderson made the announce
ment that such gentlemen as were present
from both parties, not citizens of the State,
were invited to remain. Thereupon the
doors we're closed, and none but the