New-York tribune., 1879-11-22
COOEING RETURNS.

When the agents of Mr.. Samuel j. Tiiden
repalred to the capitals of the three doubtful
States after the election OF 1876. their hrst
business was to look at the returns. lhey
claimed, with a great deal of unnecessary
vigor, the right TO inspect the figures ana 10
be present at the canvassng. We say with
unnecessary vigor, for it does not appear that
anybody sought to deny them what they asked.
"We are allowed to examine all returns"
telegraphed Ex-Governor Blgler to Mr.. Tilden
in cipher from New Orleans, " before opened; ;
elf fraud attempted, we shall know how"
The memorable dispatches of MIR. Manton
Marble from Tallahassee show that the Florida
returns were also open to the inspection oil
the visiting statesmen; and Mr.. Smith Weed,
in Columbia, had such ample opportunity to
examine the Official figures of South Carolina
that he learned from them the necessity OF
changing front in court "-and buying three
canvassers. In those days Democrats OF every
variety contendcd that the keen bright sun
light of publicity was what the people de-
manded. as a guarantee of an honest count ;
and the Republicans agreed with them.
Whatever was done in the way of throwing
out votes was done openly, and both parties
had fair chance.
Now, however, that Democratic canvassers
in Name have control of the returns OF Re
publican State the party changes front in
court" The canvassers adopt the unprece-
dented course of locking up the papers and
refusing to allow any one to see them. IL has
been the invariable custom to submit the re-
turns to the inspection of proper persons, es-
pecially the candidates or their authorized
in hot
steps might be taken to correct informaities
and other rcmediable defects But Republi-
cans are now denied the opportunity OF know
ing what errors have been committed. They
will not be made aware of the purposes of the
canvassers until it is too late to defeat
them, and if any returns are found
at the last moment to be technically
imperfect through clerical errors or omissions,
or other blemishes, there will he no chance
to repair the defect There can be but one
motive for this extraordinary exercise of au-
thority, and the plot Is so plain that some OF
the Democratic newspapers, which at first
rdicued the reports of 1t as the wild stories
Of excited or tricky politicians, have aclSnowl-
edged within few days that plan has been
arranged to count out certain of the success
full Republican candidates.
The most significant thing about this enter
prise is the manner IN which it is treated by
the Democratic press since it has become too
wcll known for denial. AS a rule, We find that
no defence of the canvassers IL attempted,
nor is any disapproval expressed of the antlci-
pated fraud but the party newspapers chuckle
over it as rather a good Joke on the Repnb-
Leans, and a legitimate set-otf for the d0ings
Of the Southern Returning Boards in 1876.
We do not propose to revive the nterminable
diepute over thoso transactions but oven ad
mitting that all the Democrats allege is true,
what shall we think of the political morality
of party which shrieks with horror for three
long years Mt the enormity of certain deed.
and then, finding itself In position TO COM
nit a similar but much worse act for its own
benefit grins at It's opponent and says "Well.
"its my turn now ; how DO you like it your
self 2" Such Is the present behavior of the
Democracy in view Of the attempt to count out
candidates in Maine about whose lawful m ior-
ity there is not the hint of n dispute. Can
any Democrat henceforth who respects him.
self pretend to be shocked at the suspicion of
fraud