The New York Herald Newspaper, November 16, 1876, Page 3

NOT YET. The Long-Drawn Agony Over the Presidential Election. PREPARING FOR THE COUNT. Troops to Guard the Louisiana Return- ing Board To-Day. “SUSPICIOUS TACT.CS IN SOUTH CAROUNA. + Renewed Democratic Claims of Success in Florida. -VIEWS OF PROMINENT CITIZENS. Jndges Black, Paschal, Hane, Moak and Countryman Speak. INCENDIARY UNDERCURRENTS. The “Ineligible Elector” Scare—Secre- tary Taft's Opinion. ‘Tho situation is unchanged regarding the casting of the clectoral votes in the three still doubtiul States— Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina, From Florida “we have renewed democratic claims of a victory, but the Board which will settle all this has bot convened. The Louisiana Returning Board meets to-day, well guarded by federal troops. In Bouth Carolina, the Beard met yesterday but dia not proceed. Charges of withholding the returns are made. by democrats against republicans. - The seething ex-. sitement of the people over this unwonted delay and the aspects of the situation as they present them- solves to mon of all parties may be appreciated from the statements of prominent citizens which will be founa below. THE LATEST RETURNS. ESTIMATED MAJORITIES OF LOUISIANA, SOUTH CAROLINA AND FLOLIDA, WITH COMPARATIVE TABLES For 1872. par K Riolldibedtiad Mla. arc a Preavden.)|_Presiden- tial, tal, 1876. 1s7z. First District, Bi sallel,s ahd a] gs Rip. | Dem] Ren. | Dem. Calhoun. . =| ae!] —) ant Te ay al —| gol] —| 47 —|| a0) — —| 480] —; 166 Huilsvoro. —| 620, —| lal Holmes —} 195]} -| ato Jackson. —} 103|} 2490] — rere] 7H ese] —1 a5a[} "| 120 2o1o] —I| 1,634) — —} 285]; —| 196 =]. 65) —| mw =} 430] =| 19 pe 7 es —} 4e2|} | 262 =| sez]| —| 213 —j easy | ast —} anal] —| e =| Is) =) 76 =| cool] =| 207 oo | es 434| |} z39) = =| 9sif =| 43 —| 493} — 249 | 78)|No rejturus, =| wif |e =| 187 pe fe we} oat — sal 205|] —| 424 4%5| “—j) eo) — soo} |] as] = ng) i] — —| wal] ~—| 288 4% itty 483} 188 136} 131 —| 316 4 Totals. . . 6,924) 7,962|) 6,780) 4,551 Tilden over Hayes —| Yossi} —] * — ROUTH CAROLINA, ‘| Presiden- || Presiden- tial, tial, 1876. 1872. re 188358) #8 1111 2111 BBE Georgetown.. Greenville. 60 ors 1, 766) r Bi re , 2 £8121 Bib LOUISIANA, ‘Presiden- tial, 1876. Presiden- 3 Dem. 444 ni 136 200) = et —| 45 1,916) —|| 1.621 - ~ 22, — —| 1,740}} 1,022) - | “406}] 1,026, — —| 866) —| 27 so} =|) ooo} 207 420) _ 1,600) 1,545 ~ ped 1} lez 145 - = —| «2 75) oe - —| «7 2,100) — i) 1am] <a) ay _ a4) a 208) [10,016]; " —] 8,429 | —) 1,074) 805) =_ Piaquemines 230, =|! 1,703, Pointe Coupee. . 70; =| 36) 4 ides, 131 a sty 419! 551) - NEW YORK HERALD, THURS 428 | Phuadelpbia, arrived, They were very much fatigued 727 | by their long Journey, and did not reeeive any callers. Sissiit Sie rs £ ES lsig = ~ 1s THE UNDECIDED STATES. FLORIDA. DEMOCBATIC ALL THROUGH—ELECTORS, GOV- EBNOR, TWO CONGRESSMEN AXD BOTH BBANCHES OF FHE LEGISLATURE. ‘ Jacksoxvitie, Nov. 15, 1876. 1 send you below the vote of the State by counties, ‘The returns are all in, except from Brevard, which is democratic and casts less than a hundred votes, va the First Congressional district the following countios give democratic majorities :— Calhoun. 161 LJ ‘The foregoing give a democratic majority of 606, In the Second Congressional district the following counties give democratic majorities 167 St. John’s, 187 Suwaneo, 5 Volusia, 295 FHS Totals... ceeseeee ed TOL 45 The following counties cast republican majorities :— Alachua, . see 434 the true vote, but by flagrant ballot-box stuff. tng at one precinct they seek to increase this majority to 717, Duval... » 796 Marton oe. 500 . 425 Nassau ciee Ud Motal..0.cecccsoseseonee «so¥iaihcsil Ran US, 850 Democratic majority in the disti'ct.. . . 432 ‘Total democratic majority in the Siete 5... ...1,038 ‘This insures the election of th. Mis.» aud national tickets, democratic Congressmen {rom both districts and a democratic majority in bosh houses of the Logis- Jature. J.J. DANIEL, Chairmaz Democratic Executive Committee, Second district, BENEWED COURA@E OF THE DEMOCRACY—THE SITUATION IMPROVING. |. Tabranassx, Nov, 15, 1876, The official figures constantly coming in wonderfully confirm the estimates made on jndividuul reports. With nearly all the official returns at hand it is impos- Hiblo that Drow’s majority can be cut below ty or Tilden’s below 400, There is a wonderiul change in the tactics of the democrats in the Inst two days. discouragement has gone; from acting on a rather feeble and aesultory offensive tpey have suddenly as- sumed tho aggressive, and witfwondertul energy and organization they are fattacking the republicans on all sides with charges of fraud, illegafity and miscounting. ; They havo tiled elaborate protests against the legalny of the vote of Leon and Jefferson counties, each cov- ering a republican majority of 2,000. The bill of ex- ceptions against. “Se@erson county is particu- larly ample,’ containing .ten specific counts, It ia claimed there has been a miscount; that there were fifty-two more votes in the box than were checked on the registry list; that tho clerk was detected entering names on the tally list when there were bo Votes being cast; and that colored democrats ‘Were intimidated. DEMOCRATIC MAJORITIRN UNASSAILABLS, Chairman Pasco, of the Democratic State Commit. tee, has returued to headquarters permanently, and says that be has carefully canvassed the facts in the points of the contest, and is not only sure that the Tilden majorities in the State can be sustained, but that at least two republican counties must be thrown out. He reports the situation as much better than he expected, the majority being not only decisive but squarely unassailable. THE STATE CARRIED FAIRLY AXD HONESTLY, Ex-Governor Joo Brown, who has abstained from apy positive statement until he had thoroughly overhauled all the returus and the facte, now declares he is prepared to say that Mr, Tilden has carried this State tuirly and honestly. His majority 1# positive andample. We shall be alle to sustain it ‘before any fair or just tribunal. If it should be overthrown by an authority determined to trample over everything wo shall be able to present the matter to the American people in such shape that it could not be sustained a single month. General Pierce Young has just returned from an authorized tour through the comtested counties and indorsed what Governor Brown has to say. NO VIOLEXCH OR INTIMIDATION, In reply to the.question as to what bad caused the change in the policy of the democrats and given them such confidence and enthusiasm, a working member of the State Committee said that in the first place it had been ascertained beyond doubt that there ‘was no violence or intimidation on the part of imprudent democrats, as it was feared vinced the committee that 1t would be sustained to the very uttermost in all that it was entitled to claim. “There had been a general feeling,’ said he, ‘that the republicans intended to count us out anyhow, and that wo would have no chance of appeal, no good and sufficient reason, No doubt of that sort troubles us now. We will got our rights,” : A Pam counT, The Heratp editorial on a tair count, the full text of wnich bas just reached here, was referred to in highest commendation. Information bas just been re- ceived that United States Commissioner Hartriage went to Baker county on the last day allowed for the county canvass, and insisted that its vote should be canvassed. This was done and the canvass of the State is now complete, The county boards are out of the question, and ali issuos are adjourned to the State Board. PRESIDENT GRANT'S ORDER. A nice question bas beon raised here to-day. In President Grant’s order of instruction to Genorals Rager and Auger this phrase occurs:—‘Should there be any ground of suspicion of fraudulent count on either side it should be reported and denounced at once,” It was a question as tu whother this sentence ‘was general in ite nature, or whether it was a spocific order to General Ruger, putting upon him the duty of giving attention to the count, aad reporting if ho deemed it tair or unfair, General Ruger’s adjutant, when appealed to, said to your correspondent, “He will act usfon the letter of that order.” ‘How will he construe this phrase?” was asked. “He will construe it jast as it reads,’’ was the answer. But it bears two constructions on it, or three if you like. Mr. W. E. Chandler thinks that be. yond preserving the peace President Grant intended General Ruger, as an intelligent and impartial off. cer of the government, to carefully observe the progress of the co! and the facts on which the dis- cussions wore based, and furpish a report upon them for the general information of the people. This will be tho construction put pon it by the republicans here except a telogram trom Volusia coanty, which elarma a reduction of 116 in the democratic majority in that county. Its reliability is not vouched for. Democrats assert that it cannot be true, as they have the official returns from that county putting their ma- jority at 316, a gain. bi NORTHERN DEMOCRATS ARRIVED, Mr. Manton Marble, Mr. Saltonstall, of Boston; Mr. Coyle, of Washington, ana Mr, Sellers, of SOUTH CAROLINA. MEETING OF THE STATE CANVASSERS—CHARGE THAT, A COUNTY RETURN 18 WITHHELD—NO PROPOSITION TO BE ACTED UPON BEFORE THE DECISION OF THE SUPREME couRT— THE ELECTION OF HAMPTON CONCEDED BY’ REPUBLICANS, v. 15, 1876, The Board of State Canvassers met this morning, bat under the order of the Court did not canvass aby returns, During their session, however, a develop- ment took place which confirms what | have previously stated in regard to the tactics of the republicans in de- laying the returns, and, if possible, in tampering with them, Richard C, Watts, tne democratic manager of elections in the county of Laurens, came before the Board and made the following statements: -- That W. H. Rutherford was a republican commis- sioner of election for Laurens county, and « candidate for the [@gisiature on that ticket; that when the Board of County Canvassers canvassed the results and made their reports, he waa elected messenger to carry the same to Columbia, as the law directs, and left tor that purpose, with the official returns, and arrived in Columbia on Friday night last, but has failed to perform that duty. He thon said Rutherford prom- ised Boyd, our democratic Commissioner, and myself, on yesterday, to make bis returns. 1 hunted for him apalu last night. but could not find him, but I told Y. P. Powers, the other republican Cominissioner, to tell him that be must turn them over or I would take legal steps to force him to do so. “He promised tt should bo done as I required. On this morning he positively refused to du his duty and turn over the report to the Secretary of State. This re- fusal was made in the presence of William L. Boyd, Democratic Commissioner of Election for Laurens county, Rutherford 1s within 100 yards of this place now, und I make this statement to this Board in order all their mortness and feeling of | to put them in possession of the facts as to the Lau- rene returns. RICHARD C, WATTS. November 15, 1876. xO Pownt. The Board replied verbally to this stateme vet could do nothing und that the democrats woul to seck their rewedy elsewhere. z A TRICKY MULATTO. Rythorford is a defeated republican candidate for the Legislature, He isa mulatto, and from what I can Jearn, a tricky, unscrupulous politician among the negroes, His refusal to deliver the cloction returns has been a subject of common talk in republican circles for several days. The mom- bers of the Board of Canvassers, four of whom are mulattoes like Rutherford bimself, knew of his pr enee hore, and, it is presumed, were aware of tho cit- cumstances. Rutherford alleges as a reason for the noo-delivery of the returns that he has information of the breaking of a ballot-box in Laurens county. This 1 bavo inquired into and find to be utterly without foundation. It isthe impression hero that he means to cause trouble. Lawronce is a heavy democratic county, and the intelligence that he has withbeld the returns has brought a number of persovs from that county te this city, who are determined to sec that the returns shal! not only be dolivered, but SHALL NOT BR TAMPERED WITH. Rutherford 18 a fair specimen of Governor Chamber- lain’s Commissioners of Election, who were themselves candidates, Warrants have been issued against him by both a United States Commissiouer and a State trial Justice,’on ‘civil and criminal process, but he disappeared tmmodiately after the action of the Board, which he was probably awaiting. The following application was also submitted to the Board To tux Boarp or State Caxvassens :— We submit that the canvassing of the statements of the Board of County Canvassers with the returns of the managers of elections and tho verifying the agyre- gation of tue returns be accomplished by- tho Clerk of the Board and an assistant clerk of the Board and a clerk und assistant clerk on the puft of those whom we represent; that the clerk of the Board open the sealed packages in the presouce of our clerk; that the two clerks verily the papers and compare them with the returns of the managers and call off tho figures, and that the assistant clerk, on separate papers, keep tho tally and aggregate the fyures, JAMES CONNOR, Counsel, AWAITING THE DECISION OF THE SUPREME COURT, ‘The Board made no answer, but in reply to anothor protest against their character as having judicial tunc- tions, they adopted the following resolution :— Resolved, That ‘the Board will not act upon any propomition until the question of its powers and dutics be decided by the Supreme Court. The Board then adjourned, 2 JUDGE CARTER AXD COLOXRL BACON IN COLUMBIA, Iu addition to tho distinguished democratic observ- ers now here the republicans rojoive over the presence of Judge D. K. Cartor, of the District of Columbia The Judge came atthe instance of the President, who sont for him whilo he was on the Bench at Washington and requested thas ho should como down and investigate matters, eec the operation of the Board of Canvassers and report to him the result, There is a rumor this evening that Judge Carter said he came here.mainly to watch the Supreme Court; but lam hardly satisfied of its authenticity. Colonel Jobn M. Bacon, of General Sherman’s staff, is also here, Lut for what purpose is not known. HAMPTON'S ELECTION CONCEDED. Republicans to-day generally concede the election of Hampton and claim the election of the republican candidates for the remaining State offices. Tho dem- ccrats, who are better posted and have probably full revurns, claim the election of their entire ticket, and some of them intinate that “TILDEN WILL ALSO PULL THROUGH,’? asone of them significantly remarked, Figures and tacts are withbold for the reason, I supposo, that they do not wish to disclose their own strength and post their opponents as to their weak points before the count ia made, as such information might possibly defeat the result. CHAMBERLAIN DEPRESSED. Governor Chamberlain was very despondent to-day. He admitted to the Hon. Montgomery Blair that ‘it ‘would take tho official figures to decide the election.” In reply to an Inguiry trom our correspondent as to his opinion of the result he writes to-night :— Tam confident I have no figures which will be new to you. My views are hardly worth giving. Yours, vory truly, D H. CHAMBERLAIN, A REPUBLICAN ESTIMATE, From the face of tho official returns in twenty-oight counties—all except Laurens, Barnwell, Kershaw, Goorgetown and Darlington, which have not yet been received—-an estimate has been made between an Elec- tor at Large on each ticket, taking democratic estt- mates of the above named counties, which five Bowen (rep.) 84,420; McGowan (dem. ), 83,380, making the majority for Hayes in the Stato 1,040. 4 ‘This calculation, however, cannot be taken asa fair indication of the electoral result. A republican who bas access to tne returns, to-day stated Hampton's majority to be 1,200, A rough calculation made from the official returns from twenty-cight counties, at the office of the repub_ ean Secretary of State, aod an estimate on tho vote for Governor of the four remaining countics, give Hayes about 1,000 majority over Tilden, Tho same euthority gives the State to Hampton by about 1,200 majority. Neither of tneso estimates is regarded by the demoerats as correct. They claim that Tilden will carry «@ sufficiency of the electoral vote of the State to elect him, bat will not disclose their reasons for this assertion. Republicans now concede the election of Hampton, on the face of the returns, but claim that the remainder of the republican State ticket is clected. BSPUBLICAN CONCESSION OF THE STATE TO ‘TILDEN. CutaRLEston, Nov. 15, 1876, Tho Columbia correspondent of the News and Courier telegrapns that official returns have beon received from all the counties In the State except Laurens, Kor- shaw, Colleton and Darlington. Tho returns from Luurens county bave been in Columbia sinco Friday, but bave not been delivered yet to the Canvassing Board, The correspondent is informed by a ropub- Hean, whose name is not given, that the majority * claimed for Hayes by the republicans upon the returus as thoy stand is 2,200, and for Chamberlain something less, No county is thrown out in this calculation. AD error tn the returns from Pickeus county re- duces the majority of the democratic State ticket, ac- cording to the News and Cowrier count, to 1,118. Chiet Justice Cartier is in Columbia, and has vis- ited Governor Chamberlain, Mr. Cartter said, in con- Yorsat‘on, that there is not half so much excitement bere as at the North. ? LOUISIANA. LEADING MEMBERS OF THE STATE RETURNING BOARD AT THE STATE HOUSE—THEIR POLICY OF SILENCE—MR, OTTENDORFER'S OPINION OF THRIR CHARACTER. New Onieaxs, Nov. 15, 1876 Messrs. Anderson and Wells, of the State Returning w DAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1876.—TRIPLE SHEET. city, both at the State House, and retuse to receive visitors, The democrats, in ses- sion this morning, discussed the policy of applying to the Supreme Court for an injunction restraining the Returning Board, but arrived at no definite conclusion. The republicans are still reticent as to their purposes. The Board claims so tar to have only received oficial returns from twenty-three parisbes. OSWALD OTTENDORFER'S DESPATCH. [From the Staats-Zeitung, Nov. 15.) g Nxw Oxveass, Nov. 14, 1876. Its apparent from the duplicate tally lists of the | parish conunisstoners, of which tho mejorty aro already here, and the rest on the way, and whose con- tents have beon telegraphed, that the democratic ma- Jority in Louimava amounts to 8,009. Nevertheless the Returning Board will deelaro the republican electors chosen, in that it will throw out the entire vote of certain parishes and the partial vote of other parishes under protences, the absurdity of which will be shown im case an investigation is instiiuted, It looks now as thongh the Returning Board could not be prevented from accomplishing this consumtate, traud, Act es- sible neither to reason nc moral presthre, the mem- bers of the Returning Board disregard public opinion and point to the result of the elections in most of the Northern States as proof of the readiness of a ma. jority of the people to sanction frauds apd usurpa. tions of the worst charactor. OSWALD OfTENDORFER, NEGRO MEMNERS OF THY HOARD TO MOLD OX. Governor Kellogg denies that Mr. Pinchbuck ts in opposition to the party, The latter has been ap- | Pointed upon the conmittee iu the republican interest during the canvass The negro politicians aro firm in their determination that the negrves on the Ro turoing Board stall stick, There will probably be no other chauge in its orgautzation than 1s already under- stood, The impression 1s strengthening thut the Board | will act in the most arbitrary manner, Ax yet no \enotice has been taken by the republicans of the democratic communication —seliciting = an ire terview, and in conversation they — tudieate hat the issue 1s tu whi tho jaw, sa it exists, must take its course, Hon, Sam Randall if Peunsyivania, who has been very active m looking ato aflairs, 18 very hopeful to-night, Je says the re- peblicuns Cannot make out a case, and shat bis {rieuds Will not leave until It is all settled, deapite their obvi- ous policy of delay. DESPATCH PROM COLONEL INGERSOLL. The following despatch was received by Governor Kellogg, at seven P, M., from Bob Inger:uil:— Governor W. P. KriLog one the democratic party nas a rd¥—Mississippi, Aibuma, Georgia, New York and sCounecticut, Full hanued flush! Looking over the tops of these stolen cards, across the table, with ope bund on a revolver, the old pohtical vioat, leans, Don's you touch Louisiana curd on me!" Don't you touch 1 mand reform,” R. ATHTUDE OF FINCHMAC! Pinchback 18 among the crowd at the St. Charles rotunda to-night, He denics that he will fail tu his energics to push the republican ticket througu the Returning Board, but would be satisfied, in case Hayes was returned, for the State ticket to be defeated, He bad votod against Packard on account of pust differ- enece; but he is still a thorough repablican. He be- Neves that Hayes and Nichols would be satisfactory to the entire people of the South. GOVERNOR KELLOGG AND 118 DEMOCRATIC VisiToRS. General Sheridan has taken rooms in the bouse im- mediately adjoining Governor Kellogg’s residence, Eight or ton of the democratic visitors called upon Governor Kellogg to-day, and hada long interview, The Governor confined himself to exbibiting and ex- plaining tho law, aud stated that he had no control over the personnel or organization of the Board. The visitors complained subsequently that the Governor talked only generalities and gavo them no assurance upon any specific points, Tho impression left upon them was unfavorable as to their prospects. TROOYS TO PROTECT THE HOARD. General Sheridan bas expressed a determination to bavo nothing to do with the affair, bis visit here being solely in hos offctal capacity and for the preservation of peace. Since arriving he has spent much of his time in conaultation with General Augur. ‘Tho Returning Board will meet to-morrow morning ‘habe Stato House, and the following disposition of troops fof their protestion has been mado by General Sheridan, with General Ponuypacker as second in command :— Two companies at tho Mechanics’ Institute, six companies at the Custom House and five companics back of the State House, on Chartres stroct. Genera} De Trobriand will command at the Custom House, General Pennypacker at Mechanics’ Institute and General Brooke at the State House. All are ordered to report directly to General Sheridan, Total number of troops, 680 mea. ‘The city is pertectiy quiet. DEMOCRATS OLAIM THY BOARD CANNOT ACT ON THE © PRESIDENTIAL QUEBTION. Senators Stevenson and Bigler, after close examina- tion of the Jaw, bave arrived at the opinion that the Returning Board have no right to act upon the Presi- dential election. The Jaw gives the Board power to Don’t you people de- ERSULL, act in all elections “not otherwise provided for,” while the Presidential election is otherwise provided for, Senator Trumbull has also recently assented to this view, and a strong fight will be made upon it. Messrs. Matthews and Noyes, who, it is understood, will act as attorneys for the Board, bave also prepared a longthy opinion instructing them on shor legal rights and Fesponsibilities, Senator Trumbull and others not yet solected will represent the democrats in tho contest. ‘Tho Board, it is given out, wilt morely organize to- norrow and then adjourn over until Monday, but the military preparations, &0., are hardly donsistent with this view. PACIFIC COAST REPUBLICANS. CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATIONS TO BE KEPT UP AND LINES STRENGTHENED, FOR CONTEST. Sax Francisco, Nov. 15, 1876. The republicans on the Pacific coast are determined to be propared for any emergency that may arise over the counting of votes in the doubtful States, and to- morrow Mr. DeBoruck, Secretary of the Republican State Central Committeo, will mail to the President of every republican club on the Pacific the following sig- nificant document :— ‘Deam SIR—Ploase maintain your club organization as itis, and strengthen it in evory way. Under no circumstances allow it to be dissolved, The party is now ia splondid condition; let us all assist to make it the strongest inthe Union. It has achieved wonder- fal triumphs, in which we all participated, and there are other triumphsin the future which wo must achieve, “Other communications will be made to you in due time. In regard to the request that is now made, re- collect ‘in union there is strength.’ ” Thero are 6,000 members in this State and 15,000 in Oregon and Nevada to whom this is addrossed. Tho circular means ‘‘be ready for fight,” SENATOR THURMAN DECLINES. Wasninatos. Nov. 15, 1876, Senator Thurman, of Ohio, has declined his invita- tion to proceed to Louisiana us a witness of the count- ing of the vote of that State, and bases his dechnation upon substantially the samo reasons as those attributed to Senator Bayard, of Delawar. MISSISSIPPI. GENERAL GARFIRLD INVITED TO VISIT THE STATE, ‘i Jacksox, Nov. 15, 1876. The following telegram was to-day sent to Genera; James A. Garfield at New Orleans :— The republicans of Mississippi earnestly invite you associates of both part! when a your ou have Fong ois y etigations in Nane to Visit mal Hk voutigation into the irauds tate, to and violence with which the State has been carried.” H.R, WARE, Chairman of the Republican State Executive Committee, THE ELECTION RIOT’S VICTIM. FIRST DAY'S PROCREDINGS OF THE INQUEST ON MB, WALTER, KILLED IN THE ELECTION RIOT. Cuanixstos, 8. C., Nov. 15, 1876. The inquest over the body of Mr. E. H. Walter, tho white democrat, who was kiiled during the riot on the Sth inst, began to-day. The jury is composed entiruly of white nen, Six witnesses wore examined, whose statements concur in showing that the deceased wa, negro policeman, who fred ter rifle from neur the guard house; pre 1 aiduced pointing directly to the guilty part are about twenty more Witnesses to be ox- | 3 THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE. VIEWS OF MR. PRI'ST, OF ST. LOUIS. Mr. John G. Priest. of St. Louls, a prominent mem: ber of the National Democratic Committee and one of the most conspicuous and highly respected citizens of Missouri, is at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. His views, as given yesterday, on the present situation are marked by great moderation and candor. While many promi- nent democrats have already virtually throwm up the #ponge and declared that, although Tiiden was rightlully clocted, the republican returaing boards would undoudt edly count 1p Hayes, Mr, Priest tirmly adheres to the opinion that Tildeu is net only elected, but also that bis election will yot be conceded by the returning boards and the republican party at large. “+1 believe,’ said he, “that Mr, Tilden bas been elected by a fair majority of the Electoral College and «bat the people will see to it that their will and choice 19 respected!” ‘But are the returning boards uot certaf\ te count him out,”’ ne was asked, “Why, no”? Mr, Priest replicd. “I do not axsume men, because they are republicans, wiildo wrong, just as ldo not assume that men who ure democrats will do right, They cannotcount Mr. Tilden out, Ho has undoubtedly received a majority in all the three doubtiul States, and most assuredly in Louisiana and Now, 1 seoms to me preposterous for repub- Florida, repudiateu aud discredited by the respectable revubli- cans thouselves, Just look at it; the democrats have given the inajorities by parishes und voting precincts, while the republicans simply send general despatches claiming majorities, and the lying character of these ts tutficiently indicated by fact that their tigures are reduced trom day to d “Mr, Ottendorter, one of the New York del the Natioval Democratic Committee, bas spatch in which be expresses is conviction that while Vilden bas carried Lousiana by over $,000 the Re- tirning Board is determined to count Hayes ip.’? “Luo not believe toe doit, Lam aware that the protexts which Yhey ine to use for throwing out the votes of certain democratl: parishes are iuuini- dation and (raud, but tbat is A SWORD WiJCH CUFS NOTH Ways. Lam convinces that more democrats have been tn- tiundated than bave repubhcans. Everybody knows how w negro, 11 he becomes a democrat, 1s persecuted by the republican whites. Now il the republicans can show fraud or intimidation on the partol the demo- crats by means of bogus affidavits, the democrats ean certainly procure genuine statements proving both intimidation wad traudsby the republicans, and then it the Returuing Board turows out democratic parishes | murt it not also reject republican parishes’ Aud it | so, how can they overcome Tilden’s honose majority ot 8,000 #7 “Mauy people here believe that they not only can ‘bat will dot? ‘As they may take your pocketbook, of course, but 48 there no law, no redress for such, crimes? And if 1b done, whut are the liberties of the American people worth? OL what turther use is it thon to hold another Presidential election four yours hence, it the deliber- ately and cleurly expressed will of tho people can thus be nulitied by unmisiakuble baretaced iruud’ No, sir; the American peop.e have not yet come to that voit when they will tolerate such proceedings. 1 know many distinguished republicans in St. Louis who have come to me alter the ciection and said:— ‘| betwve «Me Tilden =e = carried = these doubtiul States, and = it an hopest, fair count of the votes shows that be has, I want to seo him inaugdrated!’ 1 believe tuat the majority of the devont republicans of the country when they bee the true state of affairs in Louisiana as developed by the count, when they see that Mr. Tilden bas undoubt- edly received a majority of tho votes cast not by fraud or intimidation, but fairly and honestly, will not countenance the counting in process cuntemplaied by xome of ayes’ unscrupulous election managers and will insigt upon ‘Tilden’s inauguration. 1 beneve in the honesty of the poople, be they republicans or democrats,” “De you believe that any redress could bo had by the action of Congress if the returning boards act from partisan motives?’ “Undoubteuly 1 do. 1 bolieve there are enough honest and fair men in the Senate to consent to Mr. I imauguration if the proof is laid beiore 4 was iawiully elected, Ot course, men of the stripe of Logan and Merton, whose sense of right and duty ts completely sunk im bitter partisan zeal, will not take such «course; but there are enough fair-minded aud conscientious republicans tu the Senate tu detoat the project of counting in Mr. Hayes by force and fraud. dy not believe that all repubiicans ure rascals. I be- heve that there are a8 many honorable, high-minded aod impartial geotiemen im ove part, there are in the other, although a vast amount of dishonesty and corruption has undouotedly crept in among the repul lean offico-holders. urning boards prostitui themsel vs party 1 veheve that thet: tion will be a subject of revision by Congrossidnal Vestigution, and if the facts are then taid before the 'y L cannot doubt thatthe repubiican party will lcrnand the inaugurativn of that candidate who has been lawiully elected, ’” CHAUNCEY SHAFFER’S OPINIONS. ‘The Hgnavp reporter who culled upon Mr. Chauncey Shaffer to learn his opinion of the political situation ‘was not at all surprised to find that veteran of the Bar engaged in discussing with no little warmth the very subject he came to talk about, for he knew the ballot box, with its uses and abuses, to have always beona pot theme of Mr. Shaffer's. “What is your view of the aspectof affairs in the contested States?’’ asked the reporter. “There can be but one opinion about it,” said Mr, Shaffer, ‘and I must say that both democrats and re- publicans, irrespective of political creeds and without consulting personal preferences, admit that there isa desporate effort being made by Kellogg, Chamberlatn and Stearns to count out Tilden and givo their States to their own party. Why, the facts of the case are patent to the dullest intollect, and it is mere tnmloolery to beat about the bush and endeavor to shirk them. Woe have three States which are uot beyond the bounds of civilizatior, and which have, it is rea- sonable to suppose, some of the means of conveying news rapidly which belong to that civilization. Now it 8 preposterous to suppose that it has roquired ali this time to count the votes of tho different parishes and make full returns of them. There are States in the Umon with territories us expansive and with facil. ities of communication no more perlect than those of Florida, Louisiana apd North Carolina, which have long since furnishod us with the result of their elec- tions, This delay can only moan thas it is the deter, mination of the republican Governors and their satcl- vo count Hayes in whether the pation will have not. But, it is said, these States aro unlike some others They have’ a peculiar population aud bave beon embroiled in political dit- ficulties 1g out of racial diflerenees; fraud und in- timidation are supposed to be rife in them. Now, it scows to mo that the papers had fu) and adeq accounts of the spirit in which the election was ducted. For my part, 1saw no report of negroes being driven up to too ballot box at the muzzle of the re- volver, nor did | hear of any riotous demcnstration on the part of the democrats oither 1 the way of manip- lating returns OF otherwise manipulating republican yours, Everything rod oll as quietly ip the South ag it did in the North, it any disturbance occurred subsequently it was Fepublicans and not democrais bost the pers, show. Now, to publish the rewurns and jection boards’ There ‘was no great show of intimidation, uo gicat parade of fraud that would cali for their interierence. It is simply because they are resolved to tamper with tho J invalidate any democratic majority." Shatter,’ asked the reporter, ‘*what dao you judge the functions of these boards of canvussers, ar 1 OF judicial or both ?'? Tne jaw distinctly sets down the powers of can- vassing boards aud duly circumscribesthem Tho cauvasser bas simply mivistorial functions; mone of cial pature by right and by law belong to him.’ 8 1 yOur readings bearing on the “Oh, thero are numbers of cases which have beca tried and passed upon mm which the question of the powers of canvassers has been raised, apd the de- eimon of the court bas invariably been that inspectors: and caavassers have min! tal p If any returns be questioned, and if it be deomed neces- 3 sary tor the mamtonance of J to decide upon cortuin votes und determine whether they aro cast intentionally by the voter, the matter must be brought tuto the Supreme Court under a writ of quo warranto, and there judicmily settled. So stringent is the law ‘on this pont that it weorees that no canvusser is at liberty even to rectify a mistake jarnamne or correct a miespelt pame. If Joha smth for olfice and certain ballots bo cast with J, Smith on them, or Jonn Sinyth, these last cannot be credited to the candidate by the canvasser until ho brings the matter be- fore the Supreme Court and has judgment passed upon it. Several cases have arson in which illegalities claimed in clections have given occasion tor proioaged litigation. In the celebrated Fiagg case, which Mr. Tilden so folicitousiy eoaducted some yeart ‘ago, an election was disputed and bad tobe belore the Supreme Court; and so in every case of the kind that has occurred betore or sinea. I will cue the case of The People va, Stevens (vi. vol. Hili’s Reports, 618), 1m which it 18 ruled that ‘the clection ts the foundation of the riubt of @ party to an office, not tho returns, The canvassers have the it only to set down the names of the candidates tor the respective offices with the number of votes for each, and this is the extent af ir power.’ This luw doctrine iid down by Lord Loke. Again, in the case ‘ex parte Heath and others’ (iti, vol Hti’s Reports, 43), the Court raled ‘that 4 roturns nade by inspectors of clections are mipiater: and not judicial, andere valid so fer as they are co! fined to the facts, which inspectors ure required to napectors go beyond these this ey ally the same im South Carolina In Louisiana, however, ue Board of Canvassers | with belonged to the used for the adv: as the 1 partisan je perpotratod tu 1872 and 1874 conciust and I believe that the act was passod to anticipate sugh a crisis as the present one.’ “Do you tansy that the comumitioss of gontieme sent to the different States to be present’ at the can- vase of the returns will bave apy effect upon the re- } sun | ‘Oh, Tbebeve they wil exercise a good moral inttu- enee upon the canvarsers and woke hem timervus of -perpeirating Irauds boldly and brazenly, as they other Wise might luthw country | have ‘observed that men do their duty best when they aro well watched, aud so this surveillance may morally affect the cau- vassers, as | ray; but 1 foar it will have virtually | less eflect, Jor the returos, in my opinion, were fxured out by the republican Board before Grant or Kellogg invited public scrutiny. In South Carolina the matter has been brouget before the Supreme Court, [ see, and [ draw good augurias frow that, tor there is one of the Judges, ar. Willard, whe lawyer, and who Was remarkable bis upright and honor: duck while ho prac here; unless he tux been wonderiully changed he weil countenanee no fraud. Mr. Sbaffor shen went on to deplore the defilement of the suffrage with fraudulent practices, ‘This is o un , “*when people want to be seated fairly and not imposed upon, The vote of the citizen prodge of bis security, and be will not tamely to seeing it tampered with Depend upon it s nothing between a clean ballot box and the A false ballot box means revolution.”? MR. AARON J. VANDERPOEL, ot the firm of Vanderpoel, Groen aud Cuming, bad not Jooked closely into the matter of the investigations into the alleged frauds, but with reference to the mat- ters conpected with the electors in Vermont aad Oregon, who were said to have held office as post- mastors until after the election day, and whose resig- nations bad been reported as accepted, be thou; ballots cass tor those electors were void; that pointinent of an elector comes trom maouer of ascertaining and of d ry nothing whatever to do with the appointment. Take, for instance, a case im which the canvassing board or the public authorities annoupee the election of a cor- tain person, the validity of that choice depends, Upon the board of canvassers or upon the thorities, but the law goes back of the ministerial duties of the canvassers to the votes that were actu- ally cast. The matter of dispyte in the choice of the electors in Vermont and Oregun comes up squarely in tho prescut emergency, und of course tavites the ut- tention of lawyers generally, The whole pomt of the matter is, thet the votes cust for any elecior who 1s known tu be iueligible should be thrown out; and io such case there is no Vacuncy when another person, who ts etigible, bas received the next highest number of Votes ou the opposition ticket. UNITED STATES COMMISSIONER FITCH'S VIRWS. United Stutes Commissioner and Register in Bapk- ruptey, John Fiteh, gave expression to the following sentiments on the political situation to a HenaLp re- porter yesterday :— “The people of the North do not undestand the feel- ing of the South—their spirit or their determination to win ip thiscontest, The people of the South are us much determined in the matter of the ‘lost cause’ as ever. They are better organized than before the rebel- Hon, and they are as bold, brave and determined a people as ever tho sun shone on. Young men uro brought vp to hate, the North. They are united, and have, by means of their secret societies— White Leagues, Ku Klux and Rifle clubs—gotten together a bettor military organization thag they ever had. They are better prepared to go out of tbe Union now than they were before the war, They havo no debts that thoy would pay. They ure now heavily indebted to the North, but theso debts would sharo the same fate of those which they had before the rebellion, They havo an tmmense cot- ton crop and have good crops generally. Tho North has built, repaired and put in operation hundreds and hundreds of miles of railroads in tho South, hey have provisions, and it ts made a point by every youny ‘man to havé a browch-loading gun, plenty of ummunitios and also one of the best revolvers, With the experi. ence of the Southern olficers und with the determina. tion of Southern men, 1 would be very diflleul tope united North to pus them down should they again at- tempt to secede. “I very much deubt if our capitalists would again consent to furnish the money to put down a robeliion; cause if we uro to buvo a war eyory ten or fifteen neither we nor auy other natign could allard to pay the expense. It le doubttul if we can agai havo a united North, The German element, y strong in the republican party, went nimost en masse, to the demoeratic rar tm this election; not on account of political prineipl but chioily by Feuson of the temperunce crusades io the Western States. ‘The democrats have constant brought that before them, and Mr. 1 tide ergs 2 I+ luded to it in his letter of acceptance tn regard to bub sidiary laws, ‘The German vote in the State ol New York isfully 125,000, ot which over the hal! was here- tofore republicav. In fact, nearly all the well-to- Germans were active republicans. 1t is now said 40,000 Germans voted the democratic ticket in 4! election who had always previously voted the repub- lican ticket. Ag it is claimed here in New York that thousands of domocrats voted for republican: this State was beretolore jargely republican when everybody voted, tho German v change, und it is the tear of trouvle and thi Tilaen may be clected which has caused th sion of business since the ¢ The repablicane have unquestionably underr: Mr. Tildan’s abilities, especially asa politician. 1 think be is the equal, io all respects, of Aaron Barr, and certainly Mr. Burr ‘wus the greatest politician this State Bus ever pro- ‘ced,’ Fiteb,” queried the re; walt would follow a di in the respective statements make by. the de! who have gone South to be present af the counting of the votes?” “I dread anything that may ariso from such a dis- cre} in the r@ports you speak of, I think such a variance would produco most diretul consequences, I will say furthermore, that the men eae by Presi- dent Grant are men who, heretofore, have held un- blemisbed reputations, and the men who go on the democratic side, most of them, are men whose charac- ters bave becn uspersed by the nowspapors. That 1) there aro duplicate returns and it shouid come to this, thas the President of the Sonate, who now, under the Constitution, has sole and exclusive right to declare who fs the President of the United States, should declare Mr. Hayes clected, and the House @ Representatives, with its eighty-three rebe brigadier-generala, sbould declare no election, ané proceed to elect Mr, Tilden, in that Chief Justice Waito swearing in Mr. Hayes, and ene Chief Justice Clifford or Field swearing in Mr. Tilden} then, I say, Do ope could foresee the extent of blood: sbed that would decur. Ctvil war would then be upon us, and the South cuuld leave the Union unmolesi ect up their separate government and leave the Uni States to fight 1t out between Hayes and Tilden, Our cities would then be subject to riots and the worst passions of meu would become excited. The result ‘would be attacks upon our banks for the coin in thoit vaults, the sacking of private houses for plunder and the scenes of Paris ro-enacted. Values and securities would fal d gold ver reach fabulous prices, as you thoy did daring the “To which party do think the doubtfal States have given their majorities 7”? “Thero is @ negro majority in South Carolina of 40,000 over every White man in the State, and also of 30,000 in the State of Louigiana. The emigration of negroes trom Georgia tuto Florida durt last two years has been vory deprived of their legal right Florida to seek @ bow therefore, 1t is idie to clatin that either bas cratic, Lhope for the best that all three republican and thas Sr, Hayes’ electors be re turned, and that Mr. Hayes wiil be duly elected ané ‘nin without serious disturbance. think that men of property, almost without dis tinctiou of party, are fearful as to the result, aud, bad as would be thi of Tiiden’s election upon the 10 ic would rather bave Tilde: encounter tho incipiont stages of @ re- Dellion, or, worse than all, vil war, and that the great mass of democrats having property would ac quiewce in the elect ot for tho same reason. Men sce und feel that a ort: impending. Shoulds dispate arise in either of the three doubtful States, ot the democrats uso violence and prevent @ legal and proper canvass of votes, or claim that either i¢ im- properly given to Hayes, thus producing the disagree: ment of the two branches of Congress, spoken of, and ‘the swearing in of both Hayes and Tilden by the re- spective justices, tho results will be too fearful ta contemplate.’ . THOMAS G. SHEARMAN, Mr. Thomas G. Shearman was found in his offee om Nassau street yesterday afternoon, and very cour- teously gave his views of the Presidential situation to a Hxeratp reporter. Mr. Shearman began by suying that he had too mach confidence in the good sense of the people of the United States to ever believe thas either party would be insano enou§h to do anything that would tend foward a revolution. He felt satisfied that the party taking such a step would be certain t« come out the losers, Rerortsm—Havo the returning boards the right & count the vote im secret and exclude the representa tives of both parties that have gone South ? Mr. Suxanmax—That matter 1s definitely settled by law, and I certainly trust, for the setisfaction of th le of the country, that both parties may bo lea atthe count. It is bighly iinportant ‘wetees ba both bo satistied as to the fairness and legality of the count, RerortrxR—Supposing tho democratic party should not be satisiod with the count in ‘whas re- dress would they havo? Mr, Suxaumax - Opinion appears to be divided as to e Fight of poth houses going into joint andl ‘that there may not be « call for such ve seen it suggested that in such @ case the vote of he States in the Union might be all Senate and Congress im tura. It would most disgracetul blot on the record of, States it anything 2, tidiculous ever o and I bave great faith that the yood #enao of | plo will not sanction any such nonsense, OF such @ thing did occur the President of the ve _ fp cook onl bp Pere er bone 9 case re the Electors ot agree upon @ choice, Dut it was A case Of no elvotlon tan—l) bas been suggened thas the Mousd,