The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-12-09
Let Candid Men Read and Con.
. slider.
Report or senator sherman 10 the
pre.sdept.

Report or senator sherman 10 the
Pressdent
wAsHrNGro~, Dec. G.-The following
as the message which the president sent
TO congress to-day
To the Senate and House of Representatives
have the honor to transmit herewith
letter, accompanied by testimony, al
!ressed to me by Hon. John She man
nd other distinguished citizess, IN re-
ard to the canvass OF the yotc Tor cleo
fSigned) 4. S. GRANT.
ExFCuTrvE MANSION, Dec. 6, lS7G.
The letter transmitted by the presi-
ent Is rs follows:
10 the President of the United States
In pursuance OF your request that sew
eral of the undersigned should proceed to
New orleans and there witness the can
vass by the returning board OF the State
Of Louisiana Of the votes east in that state
for electors of president and yice-presi-
dent of the United States, we have per-
formed that duty, and now most respect
fully report that on our arrival III that
city we found several gentlemen. who
came, representing Republican state or
CARNATIONS, who have. throughout CO.
operated with those who went Mt your
request. and whose names are also APP
pended to this communication.
Between the gentlemen representing
the Democratic party and ourselves a
correspondence in writing ensued, copy
of which is appended hereto. Reference
to 1t will disclose that conference with
us for the purpose of exercising an infu-
ence upon the returning board was de-
clined. upon the ground that the only
the board, carefully note its proceedings,
and finally to report faithful history
thereof, with such opinions concerning
the same as truth and justice should de-
mand. Such report we are now able to
present, and We take pleasure in stating
that our ability to do so is due to the ex-
ercise of the courtesy and kindness of the
returning board, which entitle its men,
bers not only to our thanks, but that con-
fidence which just public extends to-
ward every tribunal which desires that
all its proceedings should be duly presen-
ted to the public scrutiny. 1t was our
earnest wish that this publicity would be
attained, but we should have felt deli
cacy in requesting any privilege not
in harmony with the usage of the board.
We were, however. relieved from all en-
barrassment by the receipt of its formal
invitation, hereunto annexed, delivered
TO us and to the gentlemen who attended
at the request Of the chairman of the
Democratic committee, inviting the at
tendance of five gentlemen from each
delegation as spectators and witnesses OF
the proceedings OF the board. And this
invitation was accomplished with an
offer to furnish stenographic reporters
selected by each committee to be present
and make full report fall the proceed.
ings and testimony, and to secure the
daily publication thereof by the press
The undersigned made arrangements fol-
that purpose with the proprietors Of one
daily newspaper published in New Or
leans, and thus perhaps there and else
where haYe been enabled to give sucl
proceedings and testimony the widcs
circulation. In Justice to the board Il
should also be stated that this privilege
was freely accorded by its member.
without solicitations, and that they cor
daily united with iis in the desire I.
have all their proceedings published
throughout the country.
The scrutiny Invited by the board ha
been constantly exercised day by day
Both committees have been in'attendanc
before the board with their stenographi
reporters, and, IN addition, privilege
rendered to both committees, OF inyitin
gentlemen from states other than Louis
ana has been several times ayailed Of
As the returns We're opened, whethe
contested or not, the papers inclose
have been freely rendered TO committee
for examination and have usually bee
carefully inspected, and as a means OF dc
tecting any possible changes in the re
turns after leaving their respective pan
ishes, both committees were furnishe
by the respective parties with statement
OF the vote as claimed by them respeC
lively, that by comparison 1t might b
known il any alteration had been mad
IN the returns to be passed upon by ia
board, with which statements the return
usually agreed. Whenever twas know
TO the board that return wa
TO be contested the attorney
Tor the candidates intereste,
were sent for, 10 be present at the cere
inony OF opening, and when sucl
knowledge was attainable only by tn
inspection OF the inside OF the packag
containing such returns, these attorney
= - were ihVited TO be present before an
action was taken upon Ii. There wer
thus secured In the manner stated
publicity OF all the proceedings of In
board, most careful scrutiny OF ever
package OF returns by it opened and ri
opportunity tor candidates insisting upe
the validity OF returns. to appear De,
sonaliy and by counsel before the boar
IN many instances before the return
were opened, and In every instance h,
fore action was taken upon them. ha
been believed quite unusual to give sue
full and widespread publicity 10 the mr.,
ceedings OF q returning board, nor d
we think that better means for perm,
nently recording every word and act ,
Its members, whilst engaged in the al
charge OF their duties, would have be,
afforded than was enjoyed.