Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-02-28
THE LAST OF THE "ALIUNDE" COM
MISSION.

THE LAST OF THE "ALIUNDE" COM
MISSION.
The electoral commission after
counting in the Hayes electors of
South Carolina last night by the
usual partisan vote Of s to Z, adj
iourned until the second of March,
unless sooner convened by its pre-
siding officer. The Democrats
awaited themselves of another OPP
portunity to cast a non-partisan
vote. They took the position that
none of the electoral votes from
the State of South Carolina should
be counted, and voted against the
Democratic electors, thus placing
on record their respect for the law
and facts. Mr.. Cochrane, for the
Democratic side, submitted certain
p%rofferS of proof which he proposed
to make good, if admitted by the
commission, as follows:
l. That there has been a failure Of re
g~istration as provided by the State con.
stitution, and through such failure over
10000 fraudulent votes for Hayes had
been cast.
2 That in August, 1876, large nun
bers of soldiers had been sent into the
State under General Ruger, who tele
graphed that all was quiet and no more
troops we're needed, and that it more
were needed be weuld call for them
That Notwithstanding this, on the next
day, October II, the President issued
his proclamation and a large number OF
additional troops were sentinto the State
That during 1876 there was no time when
tile State authorities could not preserve
the peace.
3 That troops we're sent into the State
without the request of the legislature,
: witch could have readily been convened.
4. That troops we're sent, not to quell
instruction and preserve peace. but to
oyerawe voters aud influence the cleo
ton; and hat they we're present at the
polls and did intimidste and influence
voterg.
s. That the presence of troops embol
dened the more desperate of negroes,
and that 10 Beaufort and Charleston
they "inaugursted the system Of riet and
violence, in which they we're protected
BIZ the State officers; that the police Of
Charleston, composed mainly Of despe-
rate negroes, employed its time in shoot
ing down inofensive white citizens; that
the negroes at the polls we're armed and
prevented colored men who would have
voted the Democratic ticket from doing
so; that the State militia, consisting OF
the worst class Of negroes, we're at the
polls aud assisted in preventing colored
men from voting the Democratic ticket;
that one Of the electors who was sheriff
of Charleston county, G. G. Bowen, APP
pointed hundreds Of deputies, who went
about arresting citizens at their pleas
ure, unFarrantsbly interfering with the
election, and that the United States mar.
shals. in large numbers. we're at the polls
interfering with the free vote Of the psc-
pie Of the State.
Mr.. Lawrence replied briefly to
these strong points, denying in
general and relying upon mere as
sertion. The commission went into
secret session yesterday at lao
and remained until Z pm. After
this the votes above mentioned
were taken. A report was drawn
up to be presented to the two
houses, giving the grounds on which
the majority reached its decision,
and a resolution thanking Commits
sioner Clifford for the ability, i'm
partiaIity aud urbanity with which
he has presided. This closes the
real work Of the commission. Its
next meeting will doubtless be its
last for the transaction of unimport-
ant business, after which its labors
will cease and it will become func-
tus oficio. The findings and de-
cisions Of the commission will only
be defended by extreme partisaus
and those who expect to profit. by
the success Of a great wrong. In
after years, when the excitement
and passions Of present parties have
died out or found other fuel to
consume, this method Of putting
in a President who was not elected
will be condemned by thinking
men, even as it is now. The result
goes so far TO- break down public
faith and destroy respect for the
judiciary, from the highest to the
lowest that no party would ever
again agree to such an arbitrament,
1t is to- be hoped that the. occasion
may never arise and that we will
never see or hear Of another electo-
raj commission It is discouraging
to see the will of the majority set
aside by the infamous machinery Of
returning boards and the political
bias of members of the Supreme
Court. Still ths'ballot remains in
the hands of the people, and the
men who elected Tilden are not
dead. They will be heard from