Year: 1876

1mO olt01shOns


The political situation is substantially
unchanged as we go to press The cleo
tions in the three disputed States are still
claimed by both parties and it is now
plain that only the official canvass by the
returning boards can decide.


The South Carolina Returning Board met
yesterday to organize for business. but
decided not to begin work until the
10TH next Thursday. It will then have
to hear argument on the question
q vital one-whether, under the con-
stitution of South Carolina its duties are
merely ministerial, and confined to certify
ing the returns made by the County Can
vassers, or whether it may hear evidence
concerning frauds and throw out votes where
in its judgment fraud or intimidation is
proved by either side. In the last case the
democrats will charge fraud and intimida-
ton in five counties and the republicans,
so far. in two. The HERALD has received
brief despatch from Mr.. Wallace. United
States Marshal in South Carolina and, we
presume, republican, who says the State
has gone for Hampton and Hayes. Ofcourse
this is only an opinion.


In Louisiana the Returning Board meets
on the 18th, next Friday. to canvass the
vote. There will be no question there as to
its powers, for in 1872 and 1874 the Board
threw out parishes at its pleasure But our
correspondent telegraphs that an attempt is
making to induce two colored men, mem
hars cf fho IL 10 o1yox
for men of better character. Naturally,
they refuse. Great numbers of North
ern politicians and a sprinkling of
statesmen have arrived, and so far
seem to be making little satisfactory
headway, each party closeting itself
for private consultation. One would think
the leading men of the two parties would
get together and devise and announce
to the public some fair and final way of de-
Gliding the dispute. We look for some prac-
tical work when Mr.. Evarts and Mr. Adams
reach New Orleans. If the people could be
assured by these two gentlemen that meas
ures had been taken to insure q fair and
honest decision we imagine the public
would contentedly go about its business
and wait in patience for the end.


From Florida the news is that the returns
are now all in the hands Of the county
clerks. The Returning Board will not get to
work for several days, and we must, there
fore, have patience. Meantime guessing has
stopped. which is great comfort. Both
parties in Florida seem to have finally and
sensibly determined to wait for the official
declaration of the vote, which is of more
interest and importance to us all up here,
just now, than the whole orange crop of the
State, with Senator Conover's most posi-
tive estimates thrown in.


We think it a matter for public congratu-
lation that the numerous tribe of dema-
gogues and politicasters has become silent
We congratulate them on their moderation,
which is as unexpected as it is pleasant
Usually and on less momentous occasions
than this they rush about with suggestions,
like parcel of old women recommending
remedies to man who has burned his fin
gers. Just now they are SILENT and we
heartily rejoice.


So far no public disturbances are re-
ported from any of the centres of excitement,
and we may now hope there will be none,
as the greatest pressure is over, for the present
at least.