Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1877-01-24

1t is thus seen that the aggregate at
the Presidential election exceeds that
OF 1872 by 32,35l. or fully 25 per cent.
increase, Of which the blacks had
full share. Now, allowing three per
cent in 1874 by 1870, or about len
per cent. OF annual increase of the en-.
tire population since 1870, and one
voter IN every five, aud the result pro-
duced would be some 10000 persons
entitled TO vote, or only 1000 more
than the number actually cast.
These proportions are unusually
large, but they are taken SO that the
Republicans may have everyadvantage.
There is no other State where the vote
cast comes SO nearly to the aggregate
number OF voters, showing that, boti,
parties did their very best, and that
the circumstances must have been
singularly favorable, especially in an
agricultural State, where the polls are
lar apart, to have brought out such an
exhibition of strength.
At the time Of this election Kellogg
bad been acting Us Governor OF Louis
lana for four years without any color
of title TO the Office, and held upby Fed
eral bayonets alone. His s0.called
Government would have tumblcd TO
pieces at any hour during that time il
Grants protection had been withdrawn.
IL was fraud maintained by force frum
the beginning in all parts and prctenccs.
Yet this usurpcr was invested with al
most absolute power, in order TO per-
petuatc the rule of his party.
The Governor of Louisiana appoints
and removes the Registrars OF Elec.
ton and their assistants throughout
the State, whose judgment is final as
to the right OF the citizens 10 vote.
Most Of them are usually non-residents
Of the parishes where they otiiciate,
and are chosen for partisan purposes
exclusively. Tie controls the appoint.
ment of the Commissioners of Election,
who receive and revise the votes.
Where the Democrats are largely in
the majority, as in New Orleans. tho
Metropolitan police control the elec.
tons, and they are appointed By the
Governor, and may bc used IN any
part Of the State, like standing army.
He also appoints the tax collectors of
the State, aud the assessors in New
Orleans. He appoints the State Board
OF Public Works. He has power to
appoint an extraordinary force chiei
constable and as many deputies Ms he
pleases in any parish, with authority to
make arrests. He can ill all vacancies
in office throughout the State. The
Judges he appoints superintend the
selection Of juries. And he controls
the militia.
All these powers were exerted to
the fullest extent ut the last election,
Supemddcd to them, the United States
Marshal and multitude OF deputies,
drawing large pay from the Treasury,
were scattered over the State, while
the troops which arc maintained by
general taxation were placed under the
orders Of the Marshal, and many Of
them stationed in the very parishes
which have been rejected by the Re
turning Board. Besides these agencies,
the whole power of the Adminstra.
tion was was thrown into the scale to
support Kellogg. In n word, the ma.
chincry OF the State and the national
Governments, the army, and the Treas.
ury SO far Ms it could he reached, were
all united 10 carry Hayes through.
This formidable organization was beat.
en-, because thepcople, white and black,
rose up in thcir strength and demand.
ed honest government. Aud when the
Republican Supervisors aud Commis.
sioners OF Election returned MAORI.
ty OF eight or nine thousand for rilden,
the Returning Board, which twice had
cheated the people out of the fruits Of
former victories, deliberately sat down
and changed thirteen thousand votes,
aud by this swindle the State was
counted for Hayes. When asked for
the reason of this iniquity, the only
answer gwen is intimidation" Aud
the American people are expected to
accept that excuse for monstrous
fraud, by which the Presidency would
now be decided, and blow be struck
at the basis of all honest aud free gov.
crnment.--N. y. Sun.