The daily gazette., 1877-02-28
THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
MIR. HURD'S SPEECH. fs

WARRINGTON, Feb. 27.-Mr. Hnrd,
in conclusion, said that there were
prepared To show that by this mili~
tary interference intimidation was
practised that produced result diff
erent from what it would have been,
had the troops not been present. In
England the presence Of the military
at the polls was never known. His.
tory showed that disposition had ad-
vanced aud the republic receded in
exact ratio to the relaxation of the
watchfulness Of the people and the
abatement of their Jealousy of the en-.
roachments of the military on the
civil power Of the Governments. He
hoped this military enroachment in
South Carolina might not be mad the
first step in that direction in our own
county.
Mr.. Cochrane stated that Judge
Black and Mr.. Black would appear
as counsel for the objections to certi-
ficate no one. They had been uncei-
tain whether they could attend, but
were now here. g....t...r. o. .sf '.-
Mr.. Cochrane then submitted cer-
tain proffers of proof, which he pro-
posed to make good, if admitted by
the Commission, as follows:-
That there had been failure OF
registration as provided by article 8,
section 3, of the State Constitution.
and that through such failure over
5000 fraudulent votes for Hayes had
been cast. .a.stf ........ ,i
Second. That in August, 1876, a
large number of soldiers had been
sent into the State under General
Roger, and telegraphcd that all was
quiet, and that no more troops were
needed, and that if more were needed
he would call for them. that, notwlth.
standing this, on the next day, Octo.
Der II, the President issued his pro-
clamation, and large number Of ad-
ditional troops were sent into the
Slate. That during the year 1876
there was no time when the State al-
thorities could not preserve the peace.
| Third. That the troops were sent
into the State without the request of
the Legislature, which could readily
have been convened.
Fourth. That the troops we're sent
not to quell ineurrection and preserve
the peace, bat to overafe the voters
and influence the election, and that
they were present at the polls ami did
intimidate and influence voters.
Filth. That the presence OF the
troops emboldened the more desperate
of the negroes, and that in Buford and
and Charleston they inaugurated q
system of riot and violence, in which
they were protected by the State Off
GERS. That tie police of Charleston,
composed mainly of desperate negroes,
employed its time in shooting down
inoffensive white citizens. That the
negroes at the polls were armed, and
prevented colored men who would
have voted the Democrat ticket from
doing SO. That the State militia, con
sistiag of the worst class OF negroes,
were at the polls, and assisted ia pre-
venting colored men from voting the
Democrrtic ticket. That enc of the
electors, who was Sheriff of Charles
ton county GO. c. Bowen), appointed
hundreds of deputies, who went about
arresting citizens at their pleasure. .un-
waIrantably interfering with the cleo
tion; and that United States Marshals
in large numbers were at the polls, in.
terfering with free vote by the peo-
pie of the State.
Mr.. Lawrence commenced the argu-
ment for the Hayes objectors at five
minutes past II o'clock, with an effort
TO show that the want of a registration
act did not affect the election. He
contended that the Constitution of
the United States gave the power to
the Legislature of the State, and that
the Constitution of the State could put
ne restrictions upon this constitution
grant to the Legislature of the Slate