New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-11-17
LOUISIANA.
ANSWER OF THE REPUBLICANS.


DEMOCRATIC BASIS DECLINED.
Icy TELEGRAPH TO TRIBUSEl
Nvw-ORLFANs Nov. 1G-The Republican commit
Zee sent here by Gen. Grant held meeting tins
,norninp and unanimously voted not to accept the
;nvitaton of the Democrats in the form presented
a. This subiect there was absolutely no division of
oniniou. A committee consisting of the following
named gentlemen was appointed to draw up an an
sver: Messrs StoughtOn, Kelley, KassOn, Matthews
Hale. and sherman. The document was prepared
and sent to the Democrats at 9 p. IN. On receiving
the document the Democrats at once called meet
ing and voted to send replication Immediately
The committee to prepare it consists of Messrs
Tumbul. Curtin DoOttle Stao, and Ottendorfer
The paper will not be ready for delivery until to-
morrow morning. 1t will assume that the Repub-
lcans by their note decline to perform the duties
imposed upon them by the President, and Will ask
what the representatives of the two parties are here
for The Republican answer is as follows;
"NEw-ORLEANs, Nov. 16, 1876.
GENTLEMEN: The majority of the undersigned 10
whom your nete of the 18th inst. was addressed only
arrived in this city yesterday evening. We have
therefore been unable to reply until this morning,
and can only regret that your communication should
have been given to the press immediately upon its
delivery and without the possibility of an answer
accompanying it. You remark that you are informed
that we came at the request of the President to see
that the Board of CanvasseTs make fair count Of
"t the vote actually cast" and ask that we meet
md confer in order that such influence
MS we possess NAV be exerted on behalf of such
canvass of the votes actually cast as by is fairness
and impartiaity shall command the respect and ac-
ouiescence of the American people of all parties
We ioin heartily with you in counscls Of peace, and
in the expression of earnest desire for perfectly
honest and just declaration of the results OF the re-
cent election in Louisiana by lawfully constituted
anthotities-and we may add that we know OF no
reason to doubt that such a declaration VIII be
made-but we do not see the propriety utility of
conference on the basis and subject to the linta-
tons YOU propose for we have no such duty imposed
mon us; and as suggested by the clause Of your
note first quoted, we are at most requested TO be
witnesses of what shall occur in the canvass OF the
votes without power or legal influence over the re-
suits or over the means by which under the laws of
Louisiana the result is to be determined.
We cannot doubt that in this you, upon reflection,
will concur with us. We are here as private clt-
zens with no official powers. We therefore cannot
supersede or modify any laws of that State. Nor
have We any right to control or influence any OF It's
officers as to the manner in which they shall per-
form ministerial or judicial duties imposed upon
them by it, laws and should we, being strangers
and without official functions attempt this. we
in the Union for an improper interference with local
administration. The following extract from the
laws of Louisiana shows that the Canvassing Board
is expressly required in certain cases 10 exercise
judicial as well as ministerial functions:
SEC 3. That in such canvass and compilation the re-
tuning officers shall observe the following order They
sha compile first, the statements from all polls or vot
ing places at which there shall have been fair free,
and peaceabc registration and election. Whenever from
norv nj
statement Of any supervisor Of registration or commits
sOner Of election, in form required by Section 20 OF
this the affidavit OF three or more citizens, OF any
not tumult, acts OF violence intimidation armed as
tubance bribery or influence, which prevented
tended prevent fair free, and peaccabe vote Of
all qualified electors entitled 10 vote at such polls or
voting place such returning officers shall not canvass,
count compile the statements from such poIl OF NOt
Ing place. until statements from all other polls OF
voting places shall have been canvassed and compiled
The returning officers shall then proceed to inyest-
gate the statements OF riot, tumut, acts OF violence
intimidation, armed disturbance, bribery, or corrupt
Influences any such poll voting place. and n from
the evidence Of such statement they shall be convinced
that such not, tumut acts Of violence, intimidation
armed disturbance bribery corrupt influences dd not
materially interfere with the purity and freedom OF the
election az such poll voting place did not prevent
sufficient number Of qualified voters thereat from
registering voting to materially change the result OF
The election, then and otherwise said returning
0eers shall canvass and compile the vote of such poll
or Young place with those previously cauvasscd and
compiled But II the said returning officers shall
not be fully satisfied thereof, it shall their
duty to examine further testimony In regard thereto,
AMI to this end they shall have power To send for persons
and papers II, after such examination, the said re-
turning officers shall be convinced that said riot, tumut
acts OF violence, intimidation, armed disturbance,
bribery, or corrupt influences did materially interfere
WIN TIE purity and freedom Of the election at such poll
4rrH.n a q III.
PuShed electors therea from registering and voting 10
materially change result Of the election, then said
returning officers shall canvass compile the state
ment OF the Of such poll voting place. hut shall
exclude from their returns, provided that any per
son interested in said election by OF being can
uaa'e Tor once shall be allowed hearing before said
returning oficere upon making application within the
uAe allowed Og the forwarding Of the returns Of said
election.
Hence If there any facts requiring the judg-
meat OF the board upon the validity of any election
~Ieturns as affected by suclrfrauds violence, 1t
would be a manifest interference with State rights
ana local sefgovernment for persons like ourselves,
Without official rights TO attempt to influence or
control its judicial action. Had "a corresponding
BOARD, in the State of New-YOrk in 1868 been
authorized to pass upon the fraudulent return
Oh votes Of the City Of New-York that
year, and delegation of citizens of Louisiana,
however respectable, attempted to influence its
judicial action upon the facts presented TO it under
.he laws Of that State, such attempt would have
been universally condemned. IL the duties of the
Canyassing Board Of Louisiana were merely minis
tea clerical as III the case Of any officer charged