The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-06-13

ttOn That the JOllyJOkerS had Deen prepared Dut
understood they were not to lie used. Pink Pur
man had them in his possession before the cleo
ton Had a conversation with BoweS, nOlO hOld
ing position in Washington 1cho lUas one Of the in
specors at precinct No. 49, BoWeS told me Gtte,WardS
he got in or put in 70 or "A Of The johyjokers, Re.
monSlrating with him about IL wnen the Congress
sional Committee were here and told him his
bunging manner of doing the whole thing had
got The party in trouble. lie said he aunt care,
That these 75 UOieS had given Hayes q majority IN
Florida. understood he put the tickets in him.
self The canvass made by the County Board in
Cludes all the votes as shown by the county returns
of each precinct, BOwes said the poll list had
been made to correspond with the number OF jOk.
ers put in. My opinion, when told before the
election about jokers was that they were to be
use fraudulently, and for that reason and other
Republicans demonstrated against their use Pur.
man told me he knew of an election having been
carried by the use of such votes and showed me
one oftwo Of tht m 1t was proposed 10 Use.
A recess was here taken.
WHAT MLN KNowsl
Samuel B. McLln, of the State Canvassing Board
WasBWorn:
He was shown number of teegrams to Gov,
stearns, mostly from w. E. Chandler, and one or
more from Zack Chandler The telegrams set
forth in general way that the Presidential elec
tion aud the salvation of the country depended
on the vote in Florida, and an effort must be made
to give the vote to Hayes. If necessary, means
and troops will be furnished. No mode was poin
ted out how to secure the State for Hayes except
suggestion that an effort be made to get returns
from different counties. kilograms began to come
in two or three days after the election, The only
thing then TO be done was 0anVassing returns
Some Northern Republicans came to Florida to
represent Hayes. Among the number were W. E,
Chandler, Gen. Wallace, Attorney General Little
of Ohio, Gov. NOyes and Gen Barlow Didn't
know as Wallace or NOyes told me directly their
authority to represent Hayes but was told through
others. |. was represented to me that NOyes was
particular friend OF Hayes and represented him,
and that anything he said the President would be
responsible for.
RETURNING BoARDERs PROMISED OFFICES
Wallace told me on several occasions, if Hayes's
election was secured members of the Returning
Board would be taken care Of On one occasion
Chandler said he did not like to say II to me- but
he would and spoke for Wallace, that If the State
goes for H. yes, Cowgirl and myself would be taken
care Of He would say so by authority of General
Noyes and Tor himself NOyes never said to wit
ness he would be rewarded butfelt assured NOyeS
had sai6 50. Never went to ask for anything
from him, and he did not come to Inc to make
promises.
MOVES CoNGRATULATEs THE WITNESS.
Directly after the canvass, and on the eve of the
return North of Noyes, he came to my house in
carriage with number ofOther visiingstatesmen
and thanked me for the action l haI taken, and
congratulated me on the result, and went off hap
py and said had acted nobly Never saw him
after he left Tallahasse.
ASKING FOR AN OFFICE
Addressed one letter to him. Have no copy
of it.
What purported to be copy of the letter was
produced by HisCock 1t was dated January q,
1877, and commences
"Lamentable changes have taken place since we
parted on the 9th Of December last Then we were
hopeful and happy in the pleasant assurance that
Governor Hayes would be inaugurated our next
President. Now we are Inundated with the near
approach of defeat, not an honest defeat, but a
deieAt that will be brought about by craven sub
mission and sheer COwardiCe. Some of my friends
have united in recommending me to the President
for appointment to the Office Of United States Dis
triCt Judge for this State. The State Executive
Committee members OF the old CPbinet and other
friends have joined in this request l would be
pleased TO have you say good word to the Presi
dent in my behalf. However, l pray you, do not
think that prefer my claim on account of the re
cent canvass. l only performed my duty consci.
entiousy and If II proves uuavaliDg will new
er cease to regret it as long As live My reasons
for seeking the appointment are urgent My con-
test tOf q llYellDNOu Win l0e prospective
raCy will be very unequal one, and my health
will not permi me 10 live in a colder eli.
mate. You can thoroughly appreciate my stua
tiOn and the magnitude OF the triumph should be
| hOnored with an appointment.
The witness would not swear positively If he
wrote the letter or not. The subject was the same
he wrote on and the letter embraced his ideas en-.
terained at the time. NOyes acknowledged the
receipt OF the letter. Remember I wrote two let.
! ters to Noyes abou: the same purpOrt.
In answer to one, Noyes said the tone and tenn.
per was so good he had forwarded 1t to the Pres-
| dent with letter urging him to give me an ap'
pOintment. Have no copies of letters. NOyes
didn't tell witness before the canvass that he
would be rewarded. Governor Stearns opened all
the returns that came to his Office, and we would
talk them over. keep memorandum OF them so
| as to adj them up as we went along, Stearns thOt
| returns showed Hayes had carried the State by q
| small ma Orily, aud agreed with him. Several
| Justices OF the Peace were commissioned about
| election times No particular reason was assigned
| for issuing to Green, of Baker county.
HOW TWO CANvAssEs STOOD.
Two canvasses were made Of the State vote and
two of the Presidential. There were two or three
returns from Baker county. Taking one Of these
and returns from all the counties gave Hayes the
State by about 49, and taking the others gave 1t TO
Tilden by about 95.
The lawyers before the State Board representing
the Republicans were Wallace, W. E. Chandler,
Gov. Noyes and Barlow. Wallace took charge OF
the precincts Of Jackson and Hamilton county
Moves, Alachua Chandler, some other counties
Little didn't do much before the Board but hunt
ed up the authorities and prepared cases. Ample,
from Ohio also represented the Republicans. The
returns from counties 10 me and Gov. Stenrns II
JohusOnvlle and DarbyvIlle had been counted on
would have given the state 10 Tilden by about
ninety-fve majority.
In regard TO proceedings before the State Board
the witness said that on the morning af the first
day only one Of the returns from Biker county
wBs presented The others were In the pigeon
hole Had taken out DriggeTs's return because Il
appeared to be properly certified aud seemed to be
most favorable TO the Republican party. Had read
offers,
Question-why were not others laid befor the
BuaId2 We'll, managed that myself Didn't
suppose It necessary TO nave but one read.
Q.-Ddn't the rules OF the Board require that all
the papers purnOrting to be returns should be
laid betord the Board? Al don't recolleCt the
rules
The witness continued that the present return
that appeared TO be most formal and most favor
able +, Haves did not present the other two until
called tor by the Democrats. Had seen them be
fore he knew they gave larger vote to liden
than Driggers'S return. Did not TecOlltct that he
ever saw certificate by Coke by giving reasons
why his retuln was not signed by three officers
the irst canvass the witness stated, gave Hayes
eight or nine hundred majority by throwing out
several precincts. A great many atfdavile made
before the Board were ex paTte on both sides.
The second canvass showed about al majority
for Hayes, arrived at By throwing ont Clay eoun-