The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-02-17

woIilu not say that will say that two.
thirds Of the states oil this Union that
voted at that election have not shown the
same quantity OF population in compar.
ison with the population recorded on the
census book. have been informed that
there was not single state. Now.
with these facts standing clearly be-
fore you, with no sign OF confusion re-
ported by the only authority that could
report IL, ! ask what show of justice,
right or propriety is there in this denun.
citation of the people and society OF Louis
lana which has been ringing in the ears
Of this commission and persons here pres
ent. can tell You another fact, fact
more startling than any which has been
reported here, and which may serve at
the next election tor the campaign
speeches of that time. On the 3Oth of
October there issued out OF the circuit
court OF New Orleans 10000 and upwards
| OF warrants of arrest to seize 10000 indi-
viduals, inhabitants of the city OF New
Orleans, for having falsely res stored
themselves as competent voters in 1874.
They embraced some of the most respect
able men in the city. my friend and tam.
lily physician among the number. Now
that is quite equal to two thousand MUIR
ders and bloodshed. A whole comma.
nifty, comprising its very best citizens.
apparently the best in standing, in prop
erty and social position, with warrants
OF arrest to seize them. and
bring them before an officer
of the United States court for
fraud! There never was a picture in
any community like that. Now, sir,
there are 10000 lies sworn to in order to
procure these affidavits. There was not
scintilla OF truth or any desire to have
the truth. Thirteen hundred and sixty
cases were tried and dismissed on sight,
but it served the purpose. The affidavits
were made by two policemen. all OF
them read them myself.
Commissioner Thurman-The whole
ten thousand made by two men:
Mr.. Campbell-Yes, sir; two police
men in each ward made the affidavits.
On those affidayits a red line is drawn
around the name on the registration list,
and several thousand voters were unable
to restore their names on that list in
order to vote.
The commissioner who issued those
papers brought his account into court for
fifteen thousand and odd dollars against
the United States tor services. Judge
Billings told him. son the face OF
these papers there is gross
fraud. and will not certify
to cent He continued by
saying that the wrongs of Louisiana have
affected the peace of this country, and as
an evidence Of that, and to determine the
conflicting questions growing out of its
present condition, this commission has
been created and the whole people are
looking toward it with reathless antlci-
patton, awaiting its decision. In con-
cluslon Mr.. Campbell argued against the
legality Of the returning board, saying
the legislature had said there should be
i've persons, and they had refused to fill
the vacancy because Of fraudulent pur-
pose. Tha, would render them incom-
petent to perform further acts.
Mr.. Merrick OF Democratic counsel
asked leave to file brief on the subject
last referred 10. and permission was
granted.
Presiding Justice Clifford then an
nounced that discussion on the pending
offer was concluded, and that there
would be no further public proceedings
to-day. At halt past 4 O'Clock the COM
mission after a short recess went into
secret session.