The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1879-01-30
south q. ro1iua Inye.,Iratton.

south Ca roIina Investigation.
The Teller Committee began an investiga-
ton, in Charleston, South Carolina, on
the 21st of January, of the late general
election. All witnesses examined were
from Charleston County, and it was ad-
mitted by both Democrats and Republicans,
that all election officers, excepting clerks,
were appointed upon the recommendation
of the Democratic Committee; that one of
the three Commissioners of Election for
the county was Republican; that the man
ayers of election at different precincts
were exclusively Democrats, and that
United States superintendent at
the different polls were not allowed to
have a clerk, there being no provision in
the law for such person. 1t was also tes-
titled that the Democratic Supervisors had
no clerks, and that the clerks Of the Repub-
lican Supervisors were excluded from the
polling places by order of the Democratic
Committee.
L. N. Gregg (coloredl Republican, United
States Supervisor at the Eagle Engine
house, the first witness, testified that
the election was quiet. When the
polls closed it was found that there was
a number of tissue Democratic tickets in
the box, and that there were n hundred
and ffty-eight votes more than there were
names of persons who voted. The excessive
votes were drawn out as required by law by
a blindfolded manager, and the witness
believes that the majority of those SO with
drawn were Republican ballots. He did
not see any tissue ballots voted.
Hutchinson, second witness, white. Re-
publican, United States Supervisor, testi-
fed that at the poll at st. James, Goose
Creek Parish, there were one hundred
and t~hirty.ive tissue Democratic tickets,
and the same excess over
were drawn, a majority withdrawn being
Republican votes. Not a voter was chal.
lenged, and the election was quiet. Wit
ness considered all colored people Repub-
licans and the whites Democrats.
WI. Ellie, colored, Republican, United
States Supervisor at the Washington
Engine.house, testified that eighty-one
votes were turned away by the managers
for different reasons. Soon after the count
ing of votes began the lights went out, and
witness fled through a back window and
went home. The belief of the witness is
that the Republicans had a large majority
at this poll. Nothing has ever been heard
of the bailot-box or ballots.
&C. White, Democratic Commissioner o.
Election, testified that a resolution to ap
point none but Democrats as managers, wa
agreed to by three Commissioners, one o
these being a Republican, and the appoint
ments were so made unanimously. Tn,
Republicans applied to have their part,
represented. but none was appointed. Wit
ness was a member of the County Demo
cratic Committee, but did not act as sucl
after his appointment as Commissioner.
T. Barker Jones, a Democratic Commits
sioner Of Election, testified to the sam
effect.
!. Sam Lee, a colored Republican fror
. Sumter, was called by the Committee, O.
January % testified that early in the can
vass, at a precinct meeting at Swimming
Pen, he was notified that no organization
of the Republican party would be Above
there. Witness insisted, and so arme
white men threatened to shoot him, an
then rode off. Witness described the int
ference of Democrats with the Republica
Convention at Sumter, where there was
disturbance, but nobody hurt. He ne1
y described Rafting Creek meeting whel
I the Democrats insisted on b
9 ing heard, and told him thu
d if he did not call the meeting I
order he would be taken back to Sumte
He was knocked down, taken in a buggy
Sumter, and told that if he would not prom
Use not to call another Republican meeting
r the county he would be killed. AT Ham
|, ton meeting he was ill-treated for askir
Gov. Hampton a question, but Hampto
q rescued him. The meeting of October 1
was described at length, witness claimir
that the Democrats had cannon to intim
n date the negroes. One of the guns VI
e loaded with tenpenny nails. The electic
d was quiet, but there were two hu
dred and fifteen names more ON the Dem
cratic poll list than on the list Il
IS witness kept. These votes, he elaine
Z were tissue tickets voted in the large Dem
Ie cratic ballots. The extra names on the Ii
Is he was t Id, were taken from the Audit
re books. On cross examination, witne
N testified hat he was a candi ate for Co
e. gress in opposition to the regular Republic
lie ticket in 1874, ami in the canvass h
s. charged the Republicans with fraud a
IL corruption and intimidating colored peop
Witness admitted that he was not present
the meeting of October II, and that load
anvils were often fired off to make a noise
political meetings.
in J. II. Steward, colored school teach
was called, and corroborated the testimo
b. of Lee as to the Rafting Greek meetil
er the meeeing of October IL, and the fraut
ng lent voting at the election with tissue til
Id cts. On cross-examination he admit
thatboth he and Lee had made speeches
ne Rafting Creek without interrupt,
tie and that it was known before October
ng that a Democratic meeting was to be hi
nd at Sumter on that day. The Democra
re-. meeting was held at the depot, some d
ng tance from the Republican meeting.
heard no shots fred during the d.
to heard that leading Democrats did their b
nd TO prevent difficulty.