Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-11-23
THE PR ES1DENCY.
The Result Still in Doubt.

Dental election on the 7th OF November is |
till in doubt. The circle of doubtful States |
now seems to be limited to Louisiana with |
votes and Florida with 4. The votes practical-
" settled give Tilden 1874 and Hayes l73. II
the two doubtful States are both given to |
Hayes he will have one majority in the Elec-
foral College. 1t Tilden secures either one !
he will be elected. We append some account
Of the contests in the disputed States:
THE SOUTH CAROLINA CANVASS.
The Supreme Court of South Carolind, on |
the 18th, ordered the canvassing board in
and report to the court the record Of the votes
actually cast. The court still holds the ques-
ton of throwing out any votes for fraud and
intimidation under advisement, but orders
the count to he announced as it stands and
wi,..t hen decide whether it shall, be officially
or whether evidence shall be taken
relative to illegal voting.
The canvass as ordered by the Court was
nearly completed on the 18th, and showed
majorities tor the Hayes electors ranging from
23O to 1l3. On the State ticket the result is
mixed. For Governor, Hampton (Dem.) has
! ,l44 majority. The Republicans elect their
Secretary. Of State and the Democrats the
perintendent Of Public Instruction are still in
doubt. The Democrats have filed exceptions
to the count on the ground OF irregularities,
errors, and omissions.
The time fixed for the returning board of
Louisiana to meet and canvass the votes was
on the nth. The Northern Democrats who
went to witness the count sent a communica-
tion to the Northern Republicans sent there
by the President, which concludes as follows:
The undersigned, i'll view Of the unhappy
controversies which have heretofore arisen
from the action of the returning board of the
State, where its action could not in any event
change the result of the Presidential election,
and in view Of the desire OF all good men that
effect should be given to the will of the ma.
jority as lawfully expressed, respectfully ask
You, or such OF you as are present, to meet and
confer with them personally Or through a
committee, as may be deemed most wise, in
order that such Influence as we possess may
he exerted in behalf of such a canvass of the
votes actually cast, as, by its fairness and i'm
partiality shall command the respect and ac-
,9uiescence Of the American people of all par
ties
REPLY OF REPUBLICANS.
To tins proposition the Republicans present
in New Orleans, upon invitation OF the Presi-
dent sent reply declining the conference.
They say:
"You remark that you are informed that we
come at the request Of the President sto see
that the board OF canvassers make fair count
OF the votes actually cast,' and ask that we
meet and confer in order that such influence
as we possess may he exerted in behalf OF such
canvass OF the votes actually cast as by its
fairness and impart;ality shall command the
respect and dacquiescence otthe American peo-
ole Of all parties.' We Join heartily with you
III counsels of peace and in the expression OF
an earnest desire for a perfectly honest and
just declaration OF the results of the recent
election i'll Louisiana by its lawfully consti-
tuted authorities, and we may add that we
declaration will be made, but we do not see
the propriety or utility of a conference on the
basis, and subject to the limitations YOU pro-
pose; ior We have no such duty imposed on
us as is suggested by the clause of the note
first quoted. We are only requested to he
witnesses OF what shall occur in the canvass
OF the votes without power or legal influence
laws OF Louisiana. the result is to Ike deter
mined. We cannot doubt but that you,
upon reflection will concur with u.s. We are
| here as private citizens with no official pow
ers"
After quoting the law governing the Return
ms Board in Louisiana, the reply states that
| the Board has judicial as we'll as ministerial
functions, and concludes as follows:
| ''To reduce the whole question, therefore, &c
,he mere clerical duty of counting votes act,,.
any cast, as proposed by You in distinction
trGra votes legally cast and returned, irres-
pectFe of the question whether they are fraud
ulenty or violently cast or otherwise violated
involves notification of the provisions of thu
laws OF Louisiana, which have already beer
and would be wholly unjustifable here, a:
we'll as in any other State Of the Union, which
have provided laws to protect the rights OF vo
tels and the purity OF the ballot. We cannot
therefore, concur in your proposition for I
conference Oh that basis"
REJolNDER OF THE DEMOCRATS
10 the above the Democrats sen.a reply, O
which the following is an extract:
ut can hardly have escaped your notice
th.t our statement of the result to be attained
by the cooperative action which we sough
to bring about was simple reproduction o
he language OF President Grant, at whose re
quest we understand you are here. In hi:
recent order to General Sherman that Ian
guage was deliberately used, no doubt in view
OF the tact about which, as We conceive, ther,
can be no dispute, that the first and most es
sential prerequisite to an honest and jus
declaration of the result of the recent election
il Louisiana is q fair and impartial canvass o
the votes actually cast, and it seems to us tha
you do the President great injustice in sup
posing that, in speaking of the votes actual,
cast, he maant to include votes illegally cast
a. you certainly do us injustice by the impu
} tation OF desire to insist on such a marrow
the expression votes actually cast of neces
aty designates votes legally cast; and as
consequence Of such votes only did we desir
to secure fair and impartial canvass.'"
''The rejoinder concludes:
sin consequence, permit us to say that
Notwithstanding your reiusals to cooperate
we still cherish the hope that the returnin
board, warned by the history Of the past, an
conscious that it's actions are observed by tn
whole nation, will discharge its delicate dut
with such circumspection, fairness and i'm
partiality as will give satisfaction to tn
American people: To this end we will cor
! tinue to labor. Should different result fo
low the action OF the board, we shall havet tn
satisfaction OF knowing that, while you hav
with US, we have done all in our power
avert the consequences which may follow.
suR-REJolxDER OF THE REPUBLICANS.
To the second communication of the Demo
Gratis the Republicans replied expressin
, qualification that they had misapprehende
the Language Of the first letter, and said:
"The President had requested us to atten
} there to witness, not to influence, such cal
vass, and it is known that such request
the count of votes actually cast, but the el
tire proceedings of the board in reaching
result of the votes legally cast to be countet
, We are gratified to learn that you concur wit
, the President and with us in this unde
standing"
: The letter concludes: .,'.
l "A conference for such . purpose wOu
now seem to be unnecessary as We learn fro
= communication just received from the boal
: which appears to us toaccomplish that whit
l by your explanatory note you desire to obta
5 by the proposed conference. We will ad
:. that it is very apparent that if your wish is
:: see fair and honest expression OF the e:e
= tOral vote Of Louisiana, there is no differen
between ourselves and you, except as to Q
y conduct in reference to that result. II
= have proposed q conference and active ass
j. ciated influence. This we regard as beyol
b our duty or our privilege. As individuals !,
y shall be happy at all times to confer with "
} and as individuals to cooperate in whatev
shall be right, but concerted action for t
q purpose Of influencing an official board
y hold to be beyond our privilege, and We sh
:. hope that all may come to pass which 60
, ioitizens can wish without the use Of any su
;: means.
i INSPECTING THE CANNAss. -
7. The Returning Board on the 18th invit
- Rvo nf aach r,arkv n hn mr.