The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-11-21

consented 10 be added to that committee
and will remain here until the pending
investigation Is concluded. =
Why the Work Of Canvassing Is
Not Begun.
New York, November 20.-The Times
publishes the following document
TALLAHASSEE, Nov. 20.
Tohe Hon. Zaehariah Chandler, Chairman
othe Republican National Executive Com.
mittee, Warrington,
We have been frequently asked to give
the figures Of the electoral vote Of the
State claimed by the Republicans. We
have declined TO do SO for the following
reasons solely:
The official returns have been receiv-
ed from thirty-two counties out Of the
thirty.nine, and until all are in we are
unwilling and think it unwise to give
our understanding Of the figures be-
cause Of the possibility Of the figures in
the Democratic counties still 10 hear from
being sufficiently changed to, alter the
result. We do not necessarily impute
to any one q design to commit fraud, but
It's enough that such thing is possible
and not unknown here or elsewhere, as
in the case OF the election frauds In the
city Of New York Mt the Presidential
election OF 1868, and the well known
Tweed circular in furtherance thereof.
In 1872, in this State, the raising Of the
county returns in favor Of the Democrat
ic State ticket nearly 1000 votes was dis.
covered at the last moment, and only
counteracted by the great efforts which
were made 10 obtain the original precinct
returns. We feel entirely justified in re-
lusing 10 give any information which
shall In the remotest degree ronder any
such fraud possible or desirable. The
delay in beginning the canvass arises
from three causes: 1st. On the uncer-
tainty ag to whether the Governor alone
or the General. Board OF State Canvassers
are the legal canvassing officers of the
Presidential Vote. The Democrats have
asked to be heard on this question, and
il Is now under consideration. I'd. All the
returns are not in, which, ii Is
claimed by many, is legal pre-
requisite to the beginning Of the can
yass and II 1t we're otherwise, yet for the
reasons above stated II would be unwise to
begin till the returns are received. Not
unfrequently the returns from remoter
counties do not reach Tallahassie for
three or four weeks, and the law allows
the general Board Of State Canyassers to
wait thirty.five days for them. In some
counties the county canvass even is not
required 10 bc made ill twenty days
from the election.
8. Frauds or Irregularities in certain
precincts are charged by each side
against the other, and it Is desirable and
proper, il it shall appear such questions
are to be gone into, that both parties
should have ample time, II they desire it,
to procure proofs. By the law, the Gen.
eral Canvassing Board is clothed with full
powers 10 correct fraud and Irregularities
in the several polls. This provision OF
the law is eminently wise and needful in
IL thinly settled country where the cleo
tions are sometimes not conducted with
that order and regularity so generally
observed in older communities. In 1872
the vote OF this State would have been
given to the Democratic ticket had not the
Board OF Canvassers, under its judicial
powers, corrected the fraud by which the
Jackson county canvass was made to
show Democratic vote Of some 400 more
than was shown by the original precinct
returns. Thomas Bloxam, the Demo.
cratic candidate for Governor, received
$50 Votes, but the returns were made to
show that he had received 1880, while
the vote Of Hart, his opponent, was re-
duced from LOO TO 709. Walls, the Re-
publican candidate for Congress, received
i,10S votes, which was altered to 10S.
This is the county in which Republican
majority Of $50 at the last election Is
claimed to be converted into Democrat.
ic majority Of 9S this year. In view
OF this Democratic fraud SO lately
attempted and so nearly successful,
and Of the well.known frauds else
where by that party we think
that the Democratic assertions that
fraud is contemplated by the Re.
publican members Of the State Board Of
Canvassers, or the Governor, should he
be legally the canvassing officer; being
made as they are without the slightest
proof, and in respect to men Of honorable
character, are wanton and made with no
fair or honest purpose, and they should
have no weight with just aud reasonable
men. The power OF this Board to correct
frauds and wrongs is undisputed by every
one. They will act openly and will be sub.
ject to the scrutiny OF the whole country
and no one can ask an ything but that their
decision shall be based upon such facts
as will carry conviction to the impair.
tial, and upon the we'll settled rules Of
law and evidence applicable to such
cases, and Puch we believe will be the nc.
ton Of the canvassers. EE .tgt
[Signedl FRANCIS G. BARLOW, n. Y.
J. N. THoRSBURG, Pa.
W. c. CHANDLER, N, II.
-, NaEDwARD F. NoYgs, o.
W. RoBERTsos, N. Y.
D. G. ROLLINS, N. Y.
J. PC. EMMoNs, Fla.
LEW WALLACE, Ind.
TALLAHASSEE, November 20.-There
ia nothing new.in the situation in Florida.
Everything awaits the coming Of the re.
turns Official returns are received so
far from all but nine counties. The count
will hardly be commenced this week.
Annual Meeting OF u. & o. Il. ls.
-.,-uIU Stockholders.
Rl1rr.,npv Noveuha, 0n At tho nm,