The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-02-16

State of Louisiana may be entitled to
appoint" And from time to time
the legislature contracts TO make
such directions as may be
necessary to make this grant effective,
"And the governorIshsll grant all such
certificates to the Commission as may be
necessary, and do all other acts in fur
thersnce thereof" What would be said
to such an act as that2 and yet it is not
very tar from the case before the court
II the electoral votes we're presented by
that corporation, with the seals and sig
natures required, is there 8 member of
either house of Congress not q stock.
holder in the corporation who would
for moment hesitate to reject it with con-
sumnste scorn2 and the answer would
be clear and une9uivocal and the judg-
ment would be just judgment. Mr..
Campbell assumed for the present that
the act of 1872 provides for the election
Of electors, and called attention to the
oath Of Office the Returning Board had to
take. He said that they offered on their
part to prove that the Returning Board
never canvassed and compiled u
single return made by the COM
missioner of election. They made the
tabulsted statement of the supervisors
which was secondary paper. Counsel
here gave the history of how the election
in Louisiana came about, and who were
the persons who watched and controlled
it, and said that on the registration books
there are 225, 900 voters registered, and
in the census of the State there are 300,
600 population; OF votes appearing on
the face Of the returns, there were $1,000
for one ticket, and $4,000 Tor the
other. | undertake TO say there was
not State in this Union-l would not
say that, / will say that not two-thlrds
of the States of this Union that voted at
that election, have not shown the same
quantity OF population in comparison
with the population recorded on the
census book. have been in
formed that there was not 3
single State. Now, with these facts
standing clearly before you, with
no sign of confusion reported by
the only authority that could report it,
1 ask what show of justice, right or
proprety is there in this denuncistion
of the people and society Of Loui lana
which has been ringing in the ears OF this
Comm mission and the persons here ores-
ent. can tell you another fact; fact
more startling tnan any which has been
reported here and which may serve at
the next election for campaign speeches.
On the Both of October there issued out
OF the Circuit Court at New Orleans 10
600 and upwards of warrants of arrest to
seize 10000 individuals, inhabitants Of
the city OF New Orleans for having false
ly registered themselves rs competent
voters in 1874. They embraced some of
the most respectable men in tn, city,
my friend and family physician among
the number. Now that is quite equsl
to the 1900 murders and b.oodshed and
all that. A whole community, com.
prising its very best citizens, apparently
the best III standing, IN property
aud social position, with warrants of
arrest TO seize them and bring them be-
fore an officer OF the United States Court
for fraud. There never wss picture in
any community like that. Now, sir,
there are 10000 lies sworn to in order to
procure these afiidsvits, there was not a
sciritilla OF truth or any desire 10 have
the truth of the 1860 cases that were
tried and dismissed on sight, but it serv-
cd the purpose. The affidsvits We're
made by tive policemen; sll of them
| read myself.
Commissioner Thurman-The whole
10000 made by two men!
Mr.. Campbell-Yes, sir. Two police
men in each ward made the atfidsvits.
On those aftidsvits 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 Tae commissioner who
Issuei those papers, brought his account
into court for fifteen thousand and some
odd dollars against US for his services.
Judge Billings told him that on the face
of tn papers there was gross fraud,
and will not certify 10 cent. lie coa-
tinuci by saying that the wrong of
Louis ana have affected the peace o. tt;
country. and as an evidence OF that and
to determine the conflicting questions
growing out of its present political con-
dition this Commission mas been created,
and the whole people are looking to-
wards it with bresthless anticipation,
awaiting its decision.
In conclusion, Mr.. Campbell argued
against the legality OF the Returning
Board, saying that the Legislature had
said there should be five persons, and
they had refused TO fill vacancy be-
cause OF a fraudulent purpose that would
render them incompetent 70 perform fur
other acts.
Mr.. Merrick Of the Democratic coun-
sci, As ked leave TO file brief on the sub
ject last referred to and permission was
granted.
Presiding Justice Clifford announced
that the discussion on the psnding offer
wss concluded and that there would be
no further public proceedings to-day.
At halt past 4 o'clock the Commissi on,
after q short recess, went into secret
session.
The Electoral Commission after the
close of the public session this afternoon
had n short private conference, and de-
cided not TO hold private session 10.
night, as was anticipated, sad adjourned
TIL 10 o'clock to- morrow with the under
standing that vote on the pen ling
question with regard 10 the admissibiiity
ot evidence in tae case of LOUISIANA, s;
n-onosad ny the Democrsts shall bt
taken at 4 O'Clock tomorrow afternoon
and thst counsel be notified accordingly
1t Is conjeclured that after the announce,
ment Of the decision some additional
time will be given 10 the counsel fo'
flrthes argument, notwithstanding thai
the limitation of siI hours and hal
given 20 the counsel on each side has been
fully exhausted.
Indian Depredations.
DEADwooD, d. T., February l5.-Dur