The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1877-02-27
TELEGRA.P!EHIC.
[zsssgrapnsd to the Rock Island Argus. !
THE ELECTORAL COUNT

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-The electoral
commission met at 10. Mr.. Hurd stated
that no counsel would appear for objections
to the Republican certificate and then sub
mitted reasons why the commission should
reject that certificate; holding that a Re-
publican form OF government must exist
ia state to give validity to the vote of
that state. He insisted that if legal
disabilities were imposed or intimidation
practlced Republican form of government
was not maintained and he proposed to
show by testimony taken by the house
committee that both conditions existed.
Mr.. Hurd held that as the constitution OF
South Carolina required registration
OF electors aud as that requirement was
utterly ignored the election was void. He
| next went to the objection that the pres
ence OF United States troops in tie state
overaWed the people and prevented free
expression OF the will of the people He
| read the proclamation OF the president,
OF Oct, nth, declaring that insurrection
existed 10 the state, and contended that
the clause OF the constitution authorizing
interference by the federal government
contemplated an insurrection against or
resistance to state authority and not dis
turbances between individual citizens of
the state. Rifle clubs, riding up and
| down numbering some peaceable citizens,
as stated in the proclamation he argued did
not amount to such an insurrection against
the United States or the state authorities as
warranted an Intervention In the affairs
of the state. The presence of troops was
not to keep the peace but to influence the
election.
| When Mr. Hurd had finished Mr..
| Cochrane stated that Judge Black and
Mr.. Blair would appear as counsel for
Objectors to certificate No. l. They had
been uncertain whether they could attend
but were now here. Mr., Cochrane then
submitted certain proffers of proof which
he proposed to make good. Admitted by
commission, as follows:
First. That there has been a failure of
registration as provided by the state con-
stitution and through such failure over
10000 fraudulent votes for Hayes had
been cast
: Second, That in August, 1876, large
numbers Of soldiers had been sent into
the state, under General Ruger, who tele-
graphed that all was quiet and no more
troops were needed and that if more were
needed he would call for them; that not
withstanding this, on the next day, Octo-
|
ton and large number of additional
troops were sent into the state; that during
1876 there was no time when the state
authorities could not preserve the peace.
Third, That troops were sent into the
state without request Of the legislature
which could have readily been convened
Fourth, That troops we're sent, not tC
quell insurrection and preserve peace, bu
TO overawe voters and influence the elec
l. ton, and that they we're present at tn,
. polls and did intimidate and did infuenct
yoters.
70 Fifth. That the presence of the troop
:. emboldened the more desperate of the ne
y groes ard that in Beaufort aud Charleston
e they iuauguratedia system of riot and vic
lencc III which tEcy were protected b,
state officers: that the police OF Charleston
o composed mainly Of desperate negroes
: employed its time in shooting down inQl
l. tensive white citizens; that negroes at th
R polls were armed and prevented coIore
% men who would have voted The Democrat
IS ic ticket from doing so; that the state u
u llt!a, consisting Of the worse class of n
De groes were at the polls and assisted i
R. preventing colored men from voting th
Democratic ticket; that one of the electOr
who was sheriff OF Charleston Cc,-C. [
y Bowen-appointed hundreds of deputil
r who went about arresting citizens at the
Is, pleasure, unwarrantably interfering wit
Is. the election, and that United States ma
in shals IN large numbers were at the pol
interfering with free vote by the peop
IS of the state.
Mr. Lawrence argued for the Republ
cans that want of registration had I
effect in the election and briefly argue
: that the South Carolina government vi
- republican; denied that troops had bee
stationed IN the state without authority
law, aud demonstrated that the necessi
OF. of Z. S. marshals at polls was an absolu
constitutional necessity.
= WASHINGTON, February 28.-Arg
ment in the South Carolina case beto
the electoral commission closed at l.
. aud recess was taken till las when
session for consultation will be held.