The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-06-20
The Florida Committee.

Samuel D.. McLin, ex-Secretary of State
and late President of the Board Of Can
vassers, was before the Florida Committee
on the 9Th, and in answer to questions by
the chairman of the subcommittee, he
s ated that VIM. E. Chandler, Hon. E. F.
Noyes and General Lew Wallace were the
most active in the management of the Re-
publican count, and that while he didn't
know that any one of them was particularly
designated as the leader, Governor Noyes
was rather looked upon as such.
He understood from these gentlemen that
if Hayes was counted in that the members
of the Returning Board would be taken care
of, and that Governor Noyes represented
Mr.. Hayes and spoke for him. VIM. E.
Chandler said to McLin that he didn't like
to promise, but that he would promise, and
at the same time would speak for General
Wallace, and that if the State was canvassed
for Hayes, at least he majority of the Can
wasting Board should be taken care of,
Witness continued that he presented the
return that appeared to be the most formal
and most favorable to Hayes; did not pre-
sent the other two until called for by the
Democrats; had seen them before; knew
they gave a larger vote to Tilden than the
Drigger's returns; didn't recollect that he
ever saw the certificate by Coke giving
reasons why his return was not signed by
three officers. Canvassed Drigger's return
from Baker County, instead of Coxe's re-
turn, which was canvassed the first time /;
took Drigger's return because it was signed
by the County Judge, Sheriff and Justice of
the Peace, and because the other was signed
only by the County Clerk and Justice;
Duval County return, which was counted on
the second canvass, was also signed only by
the Jerk and Justice, but it was in evidence
that the County Judge was present at the
canvass; if Clay and Baker Counties had
been canvassed a second time as at first, it
would have given the State to Tilden.
Witness stated that he gave Hayes 800 or
900 majority by throwing out several pre-
cincts. A great many afidavits made before
the Board were &c pdTte on both sides. The
second canvass showed about Oil majority
for Hayes, arrived at by throwing out Clay
County entirely. The return was neither
regular nor proper upon its face, and could
not be understood. Irregularity consisted
to the returns that seventy-four votes had
been cast at one precinct for Tilden and
Hendricks each, and that the Board could
not decide whether those votes were in
cluded in the regular return of votes for
elections. In the first canvass the Board
included returns from Clay County.
The testimony OF McLin was continued.
He said that from all he heard, and all that
took place, witness looked upon Noyes as a
special representative of Hayes, expressing
his views with regard to everything, and
felt satisfied that if the State went for
Hayes, leading Republicans of the State
would be provided for. General Lew Wal
lace was very active in getting up testimony
evidence in contested precincts and coun'
ties. He said he had been telegraphed to
by Hayes, requesting him to come to
Florida, and said before and after the can
yass he was satisfied that Hayes, if he be-
came President, would take pleasure in pro-
viding for the Republicans of Florida. \
Witness said his party feeling had more to
do with his course in the board than any
other cause, and did not know that he was
directly influenced by the promise of Office
though these were not without weight. HI
felt assured that. so far as pecuniary profit
went, he could gain as much by casting his
vote one way as the other. Witness said ht
had come to the conclusion that If the
board had followed the instructions of the
Supreme Court of the State, had counted
precincts which were thrown out by them
and had thrown put the counties of Alachua
Leon and Jefferson, in which fraud had evi
IDENTIFY been committed, the State certainl,
went for Tilden.
On examination by Iliscock witness test
fed that no direct offers of money wer
made by either Noyes and Stearns to inf1u
ence his official action. On one occasion
Mr.. Manton Marble, after assuring witnes
of his belief that the State had fairly givel
its vote for Tilden, and that fraud was be
ing resorted to by the Republicans to Civ
the State to Hayes, made an appeal to hin
to do his duty. Witness replied that if h
felt that Hayes was elected he would die il
! the ditch before he would give up the State, t