The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-03-02
THE THIRD STOLEN STATE.
j. NOSES TELLS HOU SOUTH CARO-
IJNtUis COtNTED FOR H.ifES.
ri,arn, Majority Of 1000 scratched Out nv
sour,roiier Dumas Pen John II. Dennis
and Uthcrs On.rinw 60 swear TO the Fact
Jhcir Testimouy Refused nv - Committee
at Democrats, Friends OF Wade Hampton.

OF Democrats. Friends OF Wade Hampton.
IT, south Carolina the Board Of State Cam
,,asers had ever since 1863. under the Rcpub-
i,an regime full and nduntrammcl'cdpower over
he returns ot all state and county elections.
Tnder the law which established the tribunal
they claimed that in their official action they
were entirely Independent of and beyond the
control ~ any court in the State. and up to the
Ia, campaign. which resulted in IIampton's
election. their claim Of unrcstrrtcd authority
in their oillris' sphere had never been ques-
toncl or denied. Thcrc is no doub, but that il
was the intention Of the Radical Legislators who
tram.i the law SO to word its provisions az to
t,nl.r il extremity doubtful N the orders Of
nny Judicial officer could overrule the official
e,'. u South Carolnas Returning Board Its
n .mhcr- hrAltOrncy- General. Comptroller
O.uerll Sia'e Treasurer. Secretary Of State.
nud Al3uiant and Inspector General claimed
for ,hcrs y.s the right to go behind the re-
turns. ana io throw out from the count what
over votes. d llcgalty Of which was shown by
VIII, tlcy considered adequate testimony.
Of course ii can readily be seen whata ter
rh, machine this might be- made in the hands
Of interruptions partisans against the rights oi
those who were politically opposed TO them. and
ofon and over had the Democrats Of South
Carolina cause 10 dcnounce the villainy
carried ont the infamous provisions of such
law. In many cases wherr Democratic mem
bcfs Of the General Assembly had been elected
from counties having clearly defined and as
certaincl white majority. and were entitled to
their seats on prma faccevidence. it happened
that the Board of state Canvassers deliberately
st aside the results OF their elections and seat
ell the Radical claimants without the least show
OF legal right or equitable justice.
80 grown into and recognized as IN undeviat-
INK custom had such action become. that the
Democrats of the state became utterly disheart-
cned and discouraged. and very often they
faded oven to 90 to the expense Of engaging
counsel to contest for the seats TO which they
Slad be, II legally and fairly elected. They sup
posed that IT would be utterly useless to appeal
g. tho courts for protection US all Of the SUI
prcme and Circuit Judges were deeply dyed in
Raiicalism. and oh occasions had proved them
selves utterly unable TO administer justice when
It sustained the rights and liberties Of Demo-
Gratis in the State.
But in the last State campaign. IL was hoped
by the Democrats tha; an opportune moment
had arrived to mako a desperate effort to re-
tricve the fortunes Of their party. and in the
last resort to have recourse 10 the highest judi
cial tribunal in the State II was thought that
the Republican ardor Of two Of the Supreme
Court Justices in the interest II Chamberlain
rs the Gubernatorial candidate had been con-
sderably abatcd by the then recent course Of
events. Ny father, Chief Justice Moses. had
become violently embittercd against Chamber
lain, on account Of the latters action in the mat
Ter Of my election TO the bench: and at public
meeting in Sumter. the place of his residence. a
short time before the election the Chief Justice
! had openly announced his intention Of support
l.. II
Nils nc was followed by many other Republi-
cans. and the division in their ranks. which
hus became apparent. strengthened the hopes
and redOubled the energy Of the Democratic
sement
With this encouragement to the Democrats
md doubt and uncertainty among the Republi-
cans. the campaign neared It's end and finally
closed.
Under the law in South Carolina the votes for
Presidential electors are forwarded by the
county canvassers. Immediately after they have
rounted them. 10 the Secretary OF State, in
whose office they are TO be kept. under his own
Dhl'ial responsibility. until the day arrives for
The Board OF State Canvassers to open and de-
brmine and ascertain the votes. Then he
mrns them over to the board. and there his
supervision over them rs Secretary Of State
leases. During the time they remain in his
safe from the approach. touch. or inspection Of
Any one. and although at the close OF the last
campaign in the State the utmost public excite
nent prevailed with regard to the safe keeping
pl the votes no attempt was made toward vio-
Ien,e or invasion OF the law. True. the Chair
mat Of the Democratic party made published
Proposition TO the Secretary Of State. Henry +.
Hayne. u colored man, TO allow u guard OF an
tluGl number from each political party 10
femaln around or in the room in the
capitol in which tho returns We're kept until
hey were turned over 10 the Board Of State but
heir proposal was politely but firmly refused.
hc Secretary claiming that he was fully equal
h the responsibility Of the occasion, and would
preserve the inviolability Of the ballot boxes in
bis keeping.
Under the law. the State Canvassing Board
was required 20 meet In the Secretary
a. states Office within ten days after
each State or county election, and then
eni there to proceed TO open the boxes
md determine the result Of the election.
On the OCCASION Of which | speak. these ten
days expired on a Tuesday. and it was on the
Sunday preceding this Tuesday that the work
o. altering the returns was effected. On that
day according 10 the profiered but re-
,sated testimony before the Investigating
committee by John b. Dennis. and by
o'her7 Who agree with him in their mar
ra'lon N the facts there assembled In the Sec
tNary 4 States pillce with doors barred against
al o'hcr eomcrs, the following members Of the
board % state Canyassers, +. l.. Cardoza. State
Irehsurer Henry f. Iaync, Secretary Of State
nilliam stone. Atorncy-General claw partner
OF D. ! Corbinl; ami Thomas Z. Dunn, Comp
roll"r-General.
rms lisi-n named man was the head and front