Year: 1876

EXTRAORDINARILY SLOW WORK.


ONLY SIX PARISHES COUNTED YEsTERDAY-A CAN


pDATE ApMITTED-wITNHssEs FROM oUACHlTA


THAT DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG.


fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiBUNE.l


NFv-ORLEANs, Nov. 21.-The session Of the Re-
turning Board to-day was not long one, and less
work was accomplished than was generally antici-
pated Returns from only six parishes were can
vassed and two-one in which intimidation was
alleged and one in which imperfect electoral tickets
were used-were laid aside for future consideration
As there are nearly so parishes in the State week
will pass before the unquestoned returns are dis
posed of unless the board holds longer meetings
Counsel for the Democratic candidates fled protests
to-day against the rules, which exclude them
from the meetings of the board while the
count is being made, and against proceed
ing with the canvass before the vacancy on
the board is filed. Ex-Gov. Wyckli0e, Democratic
candidate for elector at large was present tins
morning when the board went into executive ses-
son and objected to being turned out on the ground
that it was his right to witness the count OF the
votes affecting his case He afterward entered
written protest against the rule excluding him, and
this evening he received official notice that MS
presence would hereafter be permitted. BY admit
ting him the Board has fortunately established a
precedent for suspending OF disregarding the most





most ground for Just complaint. The decision which
admits ex-Gov. Wyckliffe probably foreshadows an
amendment Of the rules so as TO permit the other
candidates OF their counsel to be present during the
count


The use of imperfect electoral tickets has given
rise to no little discussion as 10 it's result the cleo
ton in this State and in the United States. AS five
Hayes electors run considerably behind the other
two il has been conectured that when the count is
completed no candidate in these five districts may
be found to have received majority Of all the votes
east for President The question has arisen whether
in such event any one win have been elected. If no
one is elected in those districts then the two who
deserve certificates will under the laws of the State
fll the vacancies. An examination Of the Constitu-
ton and laws of Louisiana discloses the fact that
they are both silent on the question whether an
eector to be chosen must receive majority OF all
the votes cast or only greater number than any
other candidate In the choice of Governor or other
State officer plurality elects, and good lawyers
here hold that where no specific provision is made,
rs in this ease, custom and law In analogous cases
ought TO be followed.


Adelegation of colored men from 0uachita Parish,
representing every ward except one and comprising
slerymen school teachers, farmers, and Others who
numped their neighborhOods for the Democratic
neket and voted with the clubs they had formed for
ihden and Nichols, has arrived in the city and has
nao an interview with prominent Democrats from
sne North. Their stories were very interesting
none OF them had seen or heard Of any intimidation
violence, or illegal means resorted to by
sne white Democrats. Several Of them said
wat the Republican and Democratic tick
e were placed side by side at the
S0is and colored people were told that they would
protected in voting as they pleased. II was
niue singular, however, that a very intelligent
seefo farmer, who lives within two miles of Monroe,
Knew none of the details of the trouble in that
own on the day before election. He simply beard


at there was some trcaioie there This fact rather
~aas TO shake confidence in the observing powers Of