The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-29
did than the canvasscrs Mt Harrisburg would
have to throw out Of their canvass OF votes the
returns of Allegheny county,

did than the canvassers at Harrisburg would
returns of Allegheny county. -
Hep9rter, What reeasons were assigned
MIR. Hay-NOne. Tho plcns OF the Republican
counsel were Intimidation and irregularities.
but no intimidation was shown to exist; In this
they were not such as would make void an
election where fraud was not shown. The
hoard thrcw out the Democratic votes because
accomplish their purpose without law. right. or
reason.
lcan visitors from the North. n gentleman
known to the whole country. said to me the
action If the board was tlngrant case Of the
application Of one rule to Democratic precincts
and another rule to Republican precincts"
This was the way the majority was secured for
10 bring about the result manufactured-yes.
that's the. word. manufactured-the board
threw out Manatee county. giving 236 mnlor-
ity. and as regularly returned and canvassed rs
any county in the State: they threw ont one
precinct IN Key West giving 3I1 Democratic
majority in the fnce of conclusive evidence OF
witnesses brought before the board; they
changed the vote Of Hamilton county from 2G7
Democratic majority To ia: they changed ia X
son county from % Democratic to 2l7 Repuhli-
can malority on d. weak pretence of irrrcuari-
ties. and they cut of % votes from three Demo-
% OF We're co from rcpson py s and his they sys coud
not avoid. because the election was not held nj
the appointed place. This shows a net ab-
strnction OF 0GS votes from the Tilden electors.
The board. after q struggle. were compelled
10 count Baker nt g5 majority for Tilder and
abandon the forged return which gave Hayes
Al. In Alarhun they accepted and counted
forged return from Archer precinct. which WINS
proven beyond all controversy to have been
substituted Tor the genuine return. and which
Increased the total vote of the precinct from 326
to $50. and the Republican majority from Al to
2G3. On this point Mr.. Hay said:
The fact that the number Of votes cast at the
Archer precinct was only 32G. and not 53j was
conclusively shown tot the State Board by the or1l
testimony OF the two inspectors at the precinct.
one Democrat and the other white Republic
can. The latter further testified that h. had
been paid slOO by the County Sheriff land one
Of the county canvassersl to sign a false state
ment showing the increased vote OF Archer pre-
cinct. II was shown by the testimony Of repu-
table citizens that the vote had been announced
u! the close oi the canvass on the night oi the
election nj 1926. and not j35. One of these wit
in thr actual wiH count and did sn Another Wa
merchant in business in Archer for eleven
years, and IN the county for twrntv-one who
personally knew every one who voted that day
but four or five. He WAS NJ the polls from the
opening To the close and wrote down the names
Of every voter. and produced the memorandum
Ia the State Board. This showed IA false return
mad been substituted from the precinct for the
true one.
before the board OF the most convincing char
acter hut II had no effect. They counted the
false returns. II was not necessary for Hayes
but was important 10 the State officers and Con-
gressmen. Mr. Hay further said
My only desire in going to Florida was 10
pose. travelled great denl over the state 10
ascertain facts bruring on the result and talked
with all classes and parties. had Intercourse
with the Supreme, Circuit. and County Judges
with persons IN the state and county govern
nents. with prominent men oi both parties
with lawyers. merchants. physi'laus. clergy
men. and with many colored persons II int 'lli-
gencc. To my mind II il clear beyond doubt or
question that the Democratic candidates for
electors and state oil 'crs-and il il made mani
fest by the returns themselvos-had II ricar ma
lority IF the legal and honest votes cast in Flor
ida. II the returns had shown the success Of
the Hayes electors by one votn. / shoui gladly
have SO declared and EXPRESSED my determine
In point OF fact, none Of the Republican electors
or State officers were chosen by the people Of
Florida. They are the product OF the Return
ing Board"