The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-02-08

Al meant by that that the Presiden-
tial election hinged upon the result of the
election in Louisiana.
o. Referring to the former testimony
of witness before the committed Have
you stated repeatedly in this examina-
ton that you did not know what parties
had secured the state in the first in.
stance? Al did.
Q,-Haye you stated that you did not
know what parties had carried the state
at last until you actually made up the re-
turns? A.-But /
Mr.. Field--You had better answer the
question.
Witness-I will answer your question,
but l will answer it in my way.
Mr.. Field--Well don't answer anv
more than my question.
The Chairman-Answer the question.
Witness-I will answer the question,
but | must answer it in my common plain
style.
Chairman-Yes, that is the kind of
style we want.
Mr.. Field-Have you stated that YOU
did not know what parties had carried
the State at the last until you actually
made the returns?
Witness-I have said SO; will explain,
the results throughout the states had not
been known so far as these states were
concerned when there was no trouble or
difficulty, no numbering people because
they had attempted to vote, and the
whole matter in regard to those three
Southern states was in doubt.
Mr.. Field here made an INQUIRY of the
stenoglapher. The witness interrupted,
upon which Mr.. Field reprimanded him,
Witness-I have right to speak in de-
fense of myself.
Chairman to witness-Keep cool.
Witness-Well, protect me or l will
protect myself, and that very quick.
Mr.. Field-Do you now mean that the
result of the Presidential election hinged
on the result in three doubtful Southern
States2
Witness-I mean Louisiana, together
with the other two Southern states.
Mr.. Field-Oh, yes
Witness (nterrupting)-Mr. Chairman
l am not lawyer, and | do not wish
gentleman to say for me what l did not
want to say myself Iam'no sharp prac.
titioner and I want no sharp practice up
on me in this committee. | ask to be
protected, and (excitedly) if the COM
mittee will not protect me / will protect
myself.
Chairman-Just answer the question,
Do you mean that answer which you gave
awhile ago that the election hinged
upon the result in Louisiana was true or
not?
Witness-I mean that the result of the
Presidential election hinged upon Louisi
ana with the other Southern states.
Q.-What others? A.-Florida is one
sir, and at that time South Carolina was
one also.
Q.-Then when you said in this letter,
"Our duties as returning officers have
augmented the magnitude of the destiny
of the two great parties, may l not say
the nation" did you mean that? The
destiny ofthe two great parties?
The witness interrupting)-Stop, sir.
Do not put your meaning upon what
write.
The Witness, you must not
interrupt the examiner. You must an
swer his questions, and if you object to
any of them ask the committee if you are
obliged to answer,
Q.-When you wrote what I have just
read, did you mean that the destiny of
the two great parties, not to say nation,
depended upon Louisiana, Florida and
South Carolina.
Witness-So far as had been ascer-
tanned.
Q.-Then will you tell us how your du-
ties were augmented to the destiny of the
nation?
A.-As responsible men for the result
of our findings we were responsible to
the nation and to the people of Louisiana
and we feel ourselves so.
Q.-Responsible for what?
A.--Responsible for an honest, fair and
and upright decision upon the result of
the election in Louisiana.
Q.-Then you meant merely that the
destiny of the nation depended upon the
honest Of the discharge of your duties,
did you?
Al did not mean that, sir.
Q.-What do you mean beyond this?
Al ! mean just what have said
Q.-I read further from this letter:
"And not with my consent shall this op-
pressed people be governed by the parol-
ed prisoners, aided by their white liver
ed towards of the North" What had
that to do with your duties as an honest
namhnr nf tho PaturninO ROord9