The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-01-10
4 Partisan President.

"A Earti5an iFcSldcnt.
WASHINGTON, December 3l.-Thc
President to-day in an interview
with the agent of the National Assoc
ciatcd Press, among other subjects of
conversation, alluded with particular
emphasis and detail to tho political
situation in the so-callled contested
States South.
He observed that he had received no
letters or kilograms from there for ten
DAYS, which indicated to him a most
satisfactory condition Of things in ref
erence to the results Of the recent
elections. Neither Governors Cham
| berlain, Stcarns and Kellogg, and the
constituted authorities of South Caro-
lima Florida and Louisiana with them,
had made acquisitions in that time up
on him for aid or assistance in any
shape whatever, which IA sufficient
evidence in his mind they felt implicit
confidence in the continuance of the
present status of affairs.
Speaking more specifically he said,
that while he had heard nothing from
the authorities in those States, he had
been fully advised Of tho progress OF
events, Ivy persons who had boon re-
uuested to 20 there and who had hut
Just returned, III regard to South Caro-.
lima, he said that tho result, sc far as
the Republican electors arc concern
ed, seemed to be conceded by all par
ties, and that the facts elected in the
case of Edgefeld County were sutfi.
cient to vitiato the election there, and
that the casting out Of those returns
was justified in the fullest degree by
the law of the State.
In this county, as officially reported,
armed bands, non-residents of the
county, took possession of the voting
places, posted their pickets, voted as
often as they pleased and allowed any
one else to vote who would vote their
way, and had q good time. generally.
| That when the returns were made up
and sent to Columbia and canvassed
by the State Board Of Canvassers,
they showed about twice as many
votes cast as there were residents in
the county.
In regard to Florida, he said he was
Informed that on the face of the re.
turns originally shown the majority
was for Hayes and Wheeler but on q
subsequent examination an error
was discovered which was promptly
corrected, and which gavo Tilden and
Hendricks 13S majority. AS the eX'
animation was being continued, it was
discovered in the returns Of one coun'
ty that there had been no registration
nor other legal measures taken tt
hold an election that the returns
showed over 24O majority for Tilder
and Hendricks which were not under
the exact provision of the election
laws of Florida. These We're discard
cd, leaving q majority of over lOO fol
Hayes and Wheeler.
In regard to Louisiana, it was the
opinion Of all who had been there,
and who had subsequently conversed
with him on the subject, that the ac-
ton the board is final, and there Is no
appeal from its decision. He said
that there always had been trouble in
| that State on account of frauds COM
| mitted at elections. That it was a
fact that the electoral vote Of Louis
lana had not been counted in any
Presidential election since 1860.
In speaking generally, he said he
did not think there had been u fair
election, where the people could not
90 to the polls and vote as they pleas
cd, as they would in New England or
in any of the Southern States, except
perhaps in Delaware. That in Mary
land, if there had been n free election
at least three Republican congressman
would be elected. That in Mississippi
there is Republican majority of at
least IS, 900, instead of which at the
late election there was q Democratic
majority of about 5000. That in
Alabama and Arkansas there is also a
legitimate Republican majority.
BY way Of comment upon the inten-
sity of the political sentiments enter
tained Ivy q large portion of the rco-
pie of the South, lie said that if, by
any means, the contest should finally
result in the choice Of Mr.. Tilden,
none Of the Republican governments
iu the South could stand twenty-four
hours.
In reference to the Democratic con-
testalts for authority in South Carroll
Ia and Louisiana, he thought they
would continue to hold ont until the
Presidential contest was finally dispo-
sed of, and if favorable to the Repub-
licans they would quietly disband, but
if on the contrary favorable to the
Democrats they would, under the
auspices of the National Government
doubtless make a summary disposition
of the Republican authorities, and
they might consider themselves forlu-
nate if allowed to leave at all.
In speaking of Hampton's letter to
Governor Hayes, he had seen it print
ed in the newspapers, and he thought
it was in keeping with the other acts
of that person. He did not think
that az matters now stood in South
Carolina that they could be legally
reversed. He thought that the act Of
the Legislature, which was Empowered
by law To canvass the vote for Cover
nor and other State officials could not
he set aside and it seemed to him
that the question OF administration in
that State has been definitely settled.
In reference to the situation in Lou
isianu, the Presidentdoes share in the
belief that there will be trouble In the
meeting of the Legislature, and the in
auguration of Governor Packard. In
this connection, it has been ascertain
ed that the orders issued to the militia
ny commandment in 1872 have not been
modified in any particular, and in case
Of trouble. the military will certainly
interfere for the purpose of protecting
life and property, and the preservation
of the peace.
The President, in referring to the
Presidential question in Congress, and
the existing differences between the
two houses as to the mode of counting
the electoral vote, and as to their re-
spective powers and prerogatives, said
he had no disposition to judge the
case, but, as a matter of opinion,
it appeared TO him as if the question
of his successor would not be disposed
of by the time of expiration Of his
term Of office at noon on the 4th day
of March, 1877, at which time all pow
err and authority vested in him would
cease. TO his mind the law and the
precedents gave the President Of the
Senate the power to open and count
the votes.
How IT LOOKS TO A WHITE MAN.