New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-28
THE TRANSACTIONS IN DETAIL.
THE COMMISSION BEGIN WORK.

MR.. HURD SPEAKS FOR THE DEMOCRATS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-AlmOst universal
surprise was Occasonci here to-day when, at l;lo
o'clock. Tie Electoral Commission after having heard
argument for only three hours cleared the room Of spec
taoIS and session On the South Carolina
case was evident when the Commission opened nj 10
o'clock that the interest in the proceedings had Seatly
diminished There crowd of any magnitude
about aud though the room gradually filed no striving
to Obtain ingreSs noticed
When Nr. Justice Clifford asked who would appear rs
counsel on the Democratic sdc M Cociane said that
none would appear. Afterward, however the Hon
jeremiah Black was announced AZ counsel
Nj Justice Clifford then invited the directors to Ger
tifcate No. to proceed
Mr. Hurd accordingly began his argument. lie spoke
to the following effect:
My first proposition that The vote o. the state Of
time the election held there was not arcpHbH.,n
form OF government in that state. will MOI refer o The
history the reconstruction measures by when a"ntl
Carolina restored 10 the Federal Union nor POM
the anti-TCpubcan policies by winch th', result vs.
brought about nor refer 10 the policies Of legislation
which have since followed lis adm Ssiun - ihc mon
policies nv which the sovereignty OF 10" STATE hdl hetn
practically destroyed, and BY which the republican
f , ~ y,cb visited in em.th Carolina for "a few
weeks before the election 90 thr day I'll election, ana
few weeks alter W!li alone br referred TO- The Consul
ufior e. tl,p United states guarantees to each State
"A republican form of government. and this implied the
duty on the part OF the United states Ia maze reiup-
car form ~ government and to inquire into The ia t
whether a Republican form OF government at the iimc
may exist. This j. furthermore Union o. republics,
and if 10 were permitted hat TIE state without rtlT y
can form of government could east it, 81 tto"l VOC
and tIuS choose President o. the United states, tue
other republics Of the Union Nould b. bound - lie
act o state which might be If government mon
archicl in form, IN the cis" OF SOHlh CtrOIlhi,
without hlyiu. any sui. ,3n,dl guNcrnmeutat ai.
Mr. Justice ,ipr-M hat importance does the speaker
attach 10 the word form" IN The phrase OF The Constr
! tut!Oni
Nj FIup]I regard it amounting in substance that
cacn stIte i'm the Union must b. republic II must ne
republican IN It's constitution ID I'> h.'.su!cs oI
ton, aud IN Its admmstIat'oH-a government actually
eXlstuppusscs ali thc requisites Of repu.!cl
form o. GOV, Huu,nt, whatever they mag be- ANA ne es-
sccc o that is tl tie pcOplC shall Lay" ace hh' lar
opportunity Of expressing Their viii H. TIE aerrio oi
Their rulers aud IN ue management o! tier own
/ elections.
Nil jas ice ler-iIay not the form he essentially r.
! publican and rs administration be- very InJ'd.!
! NJ. iiUIG-Pys>ioy; bit Gert may hy tyranny n1icr 4
republican, ~ NcImment when the adihis alton
h,,ainc such 10 Take oui O Jae ipiW tuc substance
ti essence, and leave iH"rca government tlrA rs VAS
not cont euu2tcd by the Constitution lr tbs case We
propose 10 10y proof taken 10y the various commit
ices that greater part d south Caroline OH me Gay
OF I, cuuic" OF electors there waS state ~ "naic
submit tiat election bHS been ICld LS required j.!
/ IN Constitution ~ tie United states.
Nj Justice Bradley inquired II there he'd rot been
registration law PASSED which related :" thr dccoj~ 70
4 which MI Hurl replied no" But Mr.. Lawrence, on
/ Tie Republican side, insisting there had been two.