The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-03-07
A THIEvING CREW.
south Carolina Taken by the Radical
Thieves.

ImIete8.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-The electoral COM
mission met at 10 o'clock.
Mr. HURD OPENS THE SESSION.
Mr.. Hurd stated that no counsel would
appear for the directors to certificate No. L,
the republican certificate, and then submit
ted the reasons why the commission should
hcan form of government must exist in
state to give validity to the vote OF
that state. He insisted that if
legal disabilities or il intimidation
was practiced, the republican form of
government was not maintained, and he
proposed to show by testimony taken by the
house committee that both conditions ex-
isted Mr.. Hurd held that as the constitu-
ton of South Carolina required the regis
tration of electors and that the requirement
was utterly ignored, the election is void.
He next went to the objection that the
presence OF United States troops in the state
overawed the people and prevented a free
read the proclamation of the president of
October II, 1876 declaring that instruction
existed in the state and contended that the
clause of the constitution authorizing the
interference of the federal government con-
templated an instruction against or resist
ance to the state authority, and not disturb
ances between individual citizens of the
state. The rifle clubs riding up and down
numbering some peaceable citizens as stated
in the presidents proclamation, he argued
did not amount to such insured
ton against the United States or
state authorities as warranted an interven-
ton in the affairs of the state. The presence
of troops was not to keep the peace but to
influence the election.
OBJECTION NO. 1.
When Mr. Hurd had finished, Mr.. Coch-
rane stated Judge Black and Mr.. Blair
would appear as counsel for the directors to
certificate No. 1. They had been uncertain
whether. they could attend but were now
there. Mr.. Cochnane then submitted certain
proffers of proof, which he proposed to make
good, admitted by the commission, as fol-
lows:
/. That there has been failure of regis
tration as provided by the constitution, and
through such failure over 30000 fraudulent
votes for Hayes and Wheeler had been cast.
2 That in August, 1876, large numbers of
soldiers had been sent into the state under
General Kruger, who telegraphed all was
11 sss and and that T @oFs Were
needed he would call for
them. That, Notwithstanding this on the
next day, OCTOBER II, the president issued
his proclamation and large number of
additional troops were sent into the state.
That during 1876 there was no time when
the stdCc duInOrlueS COuAu HOt pTeSeIfe
peace.
8. That troops were sent into the state
without the request of the legislature, which
could have readily been convened.
A. The troops were sent not to quell the
instruction and preserve peace, but to
overawe the voters and influence the cleo
ton, and that they were present at the polls
and did intimidate and influence voters.
5. That the presence of troops emboldened
the more desperate of the negroes, and that
in Beaufort and Charleston they inaugurated
a system of riot and violence in
which they were protected by the
state officers. That the police of
Charleston, composed merely of desperate
negroes, employed its time in shooting
down inoffensive white citizens that the
negroes at the polls were armed and pre-
vented colOred men who would have voted
the democratic ticket from doing so; that
the state militia, consisting of the worst
class of negroes, were at the polls
and assisted in preventing sOlored
teEst t5 ron oT voting tt the democratic
was sheriff of Charleston county, C. C.
Bowen, appointed hundreds of deputies, who
went about arresting citizens at their pleas
ureiand unwarrantably interfering with the
election, and that United States marshals in
large numbers were at the polls interfering
with free vote by the people of the state.
THE ARGUMENT COMMENCED.
Mr.. Lawrence began the argument for the
Hayes Directors showing that the want of
registration did not affect the election. The
constitution of the United States gave the
power to the legislature Of the state and the
constitution of the state could put no re-
strictions upon this constitutional grant to
the legislature. He went into a brief argu-
ment to show that the form of govern
ment in South Carolina was republi-
can. The third objection. that troops
had been stationed in the state without the
authority OF law. was..untrue. In fact, it
must be presumed that the officers of the
government understood and executed the
laws in relation to the presence of United
States marshals at the polls.
The constitution gives congress the power
TO enforce its provisions. If evidence was to
be submitted there would be abundance of
proof to show that the presence of these
men was necessary. 1t must be presumed,
the evidence of proof TO the contrary,
that the officers had done their duty. In
reply to the fifth objection, that there had
been no republican form of government
from January /, 1875, to December 10, 1876,
he cited authorities to show that the his
tory of the state must be accepted as evil
dence OF the establishment of republican
form Of government
Mr.. LAWRENCE CLOSES.
Mr.. Lawrence closed at IL AS, and Senator
Christiancy waived his right to be heard as
an objector,
MR.. BLAIR sPEAKs.
Mr.. Blair, for the democrats, said they
would offer 10 prove that owing to violence
and intimidation and the presenceu0{ the
United States troops on the day of The cleo
ton a fair vote could not be polled by the
people. The first point on which he laid
stress was the absesce OF any registration Of
voters. He charged that this was an open
and palpable violation of the constitution,
notoriously done to perpetuate fraud.
He next passed to the military in the state,
which was Just and sufficient ground 10