The New York Herald Newspaper, December 2, 1876, Page 3

THE EXISTING CRISIS The Dual House of South Carolina in Continuous Session, TOR GLEAM OF BAYONETS NOT SERN. An Evident Change in the Programme of Interference. FUTILE EFFORTS AT COMPROMISE. The Count on the Gubernatorial Vote To Be Made To-Day. REPORT OF GENERAL RUGER. The. Louisiana Visiting Committees Pre- paring to Disagree. | SHOWING OF THE DEMOCRATS. | Gonflicting Testimony Before the Florida Board. pan Sanne Coney SOUTH CAROLINA. ‘THE DUAL HOUSE IN SESSION ANOTHER DAY— SPEECHES BY NEGRO ORATORS—VAIN AT- TEMPTS AT COMPROMISE—THE DEMOCRATS DECLARE THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF IX- TERFERING WITH THE ELECTORAL VOTE— THE GUBERNATORIAL COUNT POSTPONED AN- | OTHER DAY. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.1 Conemnta, Dec, 1, 1876. After a session continuing all night and-up to noon to-day, a few moments before the clock struck twelvo Mr. Orr (dem,) moved that the House do now adjourn. Speaker Wallace put the question, which was car- ried, At the same time Mr. Streaker (colored, rep.) made a similar motion which was entertained by Speakor Mackey, who put the question and it was also carried. The clock struck as the result of the motion was announced, and then, in the same breath, both Speak- ers called their respective houses to order. Both called the roli at the same time; mombers of both houses moved that the reading of the journal of the previous day be dispensed with at the. samo time, and then began the confusion and scenes of yesterday over again, only in, perheps, a little better humor, and with a modification of the tono and language of the previcus day, ANTICIPATING THE TROOPS, x Half-past twelve haa arrived, aid agreeable to the programme indicated yesterday, all eyes were turned toward the door in momentary expectation of seeing an officer and = soldiers with fixed bayonots enter the door to eject the democratic delegations from the counties of Edgefield and Lau- rens and unseat the democratic Speaker, At onetime there was a rumor that they wore coming, and ex- citement was raiscd to the highest pitch among the few that heard the report until it was found out that only the guard relief was being formed and were load- ing their guns. NO APPEARANCE OF BAYONETS, Another half hour passed and still no bayonets, and still another, when it begun to bo surmised that some extraordinary change mast have taken place since yes- teraay, General Ruger must have received additional \ instructions, or was he awaiting further orders from ‘Washington ? THE RVENT OF THE DAY. The most notable event of the day in the hall of the House was the speech of Tom Hamilton, the negro re- publican representative of Beaufort county. Tom is a member of the Mackey House, has been a member of she Legislature for over four yer and is regarded as ono of the most sensible, independent and plucky acgroes in the State, Ho said, “This thing is going joo iar, and 1 am alraid it’s going to break up in a row.” ‘ George Reed, bis colored colleague, said he wanted to aveid a row more than he did. He wasa republican, nnd was ready to do anything that was right and just to secure peace; but if there was going to bo arow he wanted to go home. ? SPEECH OF A REPUBLICAN, Tom Hamiltoa continued in a long and earnest speech, calling upon the republicans to beware, He pondemned the outrageous conduct, as he termed it, of the so-called House, of which he was a member, in seating the five republicans from Barnwell county merely upon their own claims, and without even in ts were contested, and know" quiring whether these Ing that democrats held tn their hands the certificates of the Secretary of State, entitling them to these same seats, Ho stated that the very committee that com- mitted this outrago was now only waiting to seat other members, when it would take them six weoks to get the He called upon the republicans that they did not bring down upon them, not only the dis- approbation, but the condemnation of the entire Amer- foan people, and so earnest and affected did he become by his feelings after picturing the condition of affairs that he shed tears over the ruin that had been brought upon the State. George Reed (colored rep.)—If you mean to say that the Committeo on Elections means to seat more ille- gal members I will put my foot dowa on it, A PROPOSED COMPROMISE, Mr. Robert Aldrich (dem.) arose, and in avery temperate, but earnest speech, advocated the following Fosolution as a compromise :— Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of tho State of South Carolina that the present difficul- hes oxisting in the organization of this House be sub- mitted to acommittce of six on the part of the House and six on the part of the Senate, to be com- posed equally of republicans and democrats from cach body and that their report be submitted im dupiicates, one to each of the houses of this floor claiming to be tho legal House of South Carolina Representatives for their adoption, and pending the settling of such com- mittee that both houses adjourn to reassemble as they now étand to receive the said report . Though this was considered a fair sortot compro- mise the republicans refused to consider it, and re- fected tho proposition with scorn, i It-was then moved by a republican to receive the report of the Committee on Privileged Elections, Speaker Meckey said he was not ready for that yet, proofs before them, to beware nd tho membor who bad beep #0 igcaumous as to ‘ NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1876.-WITH SUPPLEMENT. embers nearly disclose their next plan as to scat! was indignantly warned down. The Aldrich proposition was then read by the demo- eratic Cierk, and the question being put by Speaker Wallace it was adopted. THR ELECTORAL VOTE. Mr. James L. Orr (dem.) then got the floor and stated that there seemed to be some misunderstanding concerning the position of the democrats op tho ques- thon of the electoral vote, In order to explain this position he offered the following resolution :— Resolved, That this House has no purpose of inter- fering with the counting of the vote for President and Vice Prosident and/will take no action therein Which was adopted, NEGRO ORATORY. Two negroes, named Humbert and Keith, of Dar- lington county, then began camp mecting speeches, interspersed with hymns and campaign songs, which elicited great merriment and kept the House in good humor tne greater portion of the evening. THE GUBERNATORIAL CouNT, Mr. Straker (colored, rop.) moved that the special order for to-day, the counting of the vote for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, be postponed till to-mor- row. at two P, M., which was adopted. The Senate concurred and the agony of the count is dolayed an- other day, but before this was carried in tho Hous there was great excitement and momentary expecta- tion of a collision. _ Aresolution was adopted by the republican House to the effect that no more members should bo seated without giving notice of contests and of giving tho other side an opportunity of urging their claims by testimony and argument, RESULTS OF A CABINET MEETING—GENERAL RUGER NOT TO INTERFERE EXCEPT TO PRE- SERVE PEACE—FEELING OF SOUTHERN CON= GRESSMEN—CONTRADICTORY VIEWS OF CON- SERVATIVE AND RADICAL REPUBLICANS. [FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. ] Wasurxetox, Dec. 1, 1876. There was along Cabinet session to-day. lt is un- derstood that General Ruger’s full report of transac- tions in Columbia was read and considered, and that he asserts that peace and good order prevail there; that there has been no reason tor military interferonce, and there is none now, THE INTERFERENCE EXPLAINED, The acts of mterferenco when the troops wore used by one Dennis, formeriy keeper of the State Prison, to exclude members from the Legislature, General Ruger reports were by the mistake of a subordinate, and on discovery were stopped. Tho report of Genoral Ruger ‘was approved, and it was agreed that he should be ordered to interfere no more except in the case of civil disorder or attempts at violence and lawlessness. A NATURAL CURIOSITY. A good deal of curiosity is felt here to know how the mistake was mado and by whom, in consequence of which federal troops were placed under the orders gf one of Governor Chamberlain's creatures, and were allowed to be used by him to decide who aro and who are not members of the State Legislature, DESPATCH FROM HAMPTON AND GORDON, The following despatch was received here to-day by Mr. Lamar, of Mississippi :— Convmsr, 8, C., Dec, 1, 1876, Hon. £. Q. ©. Lamar, Washington :— Have the President, Secretary of War and Cabinet waited on immediately by our friends; let them state that absolute peace prevails here andin the State House, where both bodies are in session. If General Ruger interferes it will be without the shadow of ex- cuse. Republicans are expressing on the floor of tho | House, their disgust with the revolutionary proceed- ings of their party and joining us. J. B. GORDON, WADE HAMPTON, FESLINGS OF SOUTHERN CONGRESSMEN, The Southern members of Congress who are here are onanimous and unreserved in their desire for peace and order under all circumstances, They be- Neve tho Prosidential diMculty can be settled accord- ing to law, but in any case they are for peace and quiet, and they will be heard to this effect if there is occasion when Congress meets. Some of the moder- ate republicans, and among them respectable members ofthe party from the Southern States, express the hope that Mr. Tilden may be mado President. They acknow!edge that a settiement which will bo believed honest and fair by the country, and which shall be satisfactory to all reasanable men, is already impossi- ble in consequence of the misconduct of the return. ing boards, and they add that an unsatisfactory count- ingin of Governor Hayes would be ruinous to tho party and causo its certain and disgraceful defeat at the next election, But these people say: ” “What can be done? If Governor Hayes is counted in he mast be inaugurated. He will most probably be counted in whether rightly or wrongl7, and what can we do?’” On the other hand the extreme republicans talk only and continually of monstrous outrages and barbarities in the South. “There has been savagery there of which Apaches would be ashamed,” says Secretary Chandler, and going torest their claim to the election on tales of murder and cruelty in the South, There is no doubt, however, that the good order kept up in the disputed it looks as though these men wero States 18 embarrassing to the republican leaders, Oae good ourbreak or riot would help them amazingly, There 1s very little obvious excitement here; people wait, NO ATTEMPE ON THE PART OF GENERAL RUGER TO REMOVE THE MEMBERS FROM LAURENS AND EDGEFIELD, [BY TELEGRAPH To THE HERALD.) , Cotumnia, Dec, 1, 1876, To THe Epiton ov THe Heratp:— No attempt has been made to-day to remove the Laurens and Edgefield delogations, and it 1s not hkely such an attempt willbe made unless Ruger receives orders from Washington, which ho is evidently await- ing. me WADE HAMPTON, REPORT OF GENERAL RUGER ON THE ACTION OF THE TROOPS IN THE STATE HOUSE—‘‘A PERSON AT THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE” RE- BPONSIDLE. ' i Wasutnatox, Dee, 1, 1876, The following is an extract from a telegram from Gencral Ruger, which was placed beforo the Cabinet in session to-day :— Couumaia, 8. C., Dec. 1, 1876, General W. T. Suenmax, or tho Secretary of War, Washington, D. © :— Ihave carefully abstained from interference with tho organization of the House from the first. On the ap- plication of the Governor, and my own belief tor the necessity therefor for the preservation of the peace, I placed troops in the State House, but not in the rooms of ussewbly of oither of the houses, on the day of meeting. It came about that for a time soldiers were placed on either side of the door of entrance to the Hail of Representatives, ander the foilowing circum. stances: A person at the door of the House, and who claimed authority to examine the certificates of those claiming tobe members prior to their aamission to the hall, but who, 1 think, had wo legal authority for so doing, applied to the officer in command of the troops, placed L _{m the corridor for the preservation of the peace, for assistance on the ground that he was being pressed upon and could not perform his duty. The soldicrs were placed as stated. As soon as I was fully informed of the circumstances I ordered the soldiers withdrawn, as I had previously informea Governor Chamberlain that I should confine my action to tho preservation of the peace, and should do nothing with reference to keeping the doors of the rooms of meeting of tho houses or the rooms themselves unless it became necessary because of a breach of the peace which the civil officers of the houses should be unable to restore, No act was done by the soldiers except that of their Presence, as stated, but while they were so present persons claiming the right of entrance under certif- cate of the Clerk of the Supreme Court were refused adinission. THOMAS H, RUGER, Commanding Department. SCENES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DUBING THE NIGHT—ADVANTAGES OBTAINED AND RETAINED BY THE TWO SPEAKERS—THE ORATORY OF FANCY BILL PINCKNEY—HOW THE LEGISLATORS SLEPT AXD HOW THEY “WERE KEPT AWAKE, [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Cotumaia, Dec, 1, 1876 The dual houses, republicans on the one side and democrats on the other, remained in session all night, After thidnight the eyelids of the weary members be- gan to droop; numbers of them, notably the blacks, fell asleep, and those that did not were only kept awake by the eloquence of Fancy Bil Pinckney, an in- tensely black negro from Charleston county, known as “the Santee orator.”? His speech was a mode! of negro eloquence, abounding as it did in a jumble of all tho big words he had ever heard, and well, and distinctly uttered and using good English, but devo'd of a single 1dea, and so ridiculous as to be singularly amusing and provocative of laugh- ter, Even thisdid not serve to keep members thor- oughly awake, and at times the wary occupant of that seat of honor, the chair, would bo caught napping. This was worse in the eyes of the democrats thana sentinel asleep on post. THE SYEAKERS’ RESPECTIVE ADVANTAGES, When the raid was made on the hall by the united democratic forces one of the greatest achievements and triumphs of the hour was the capture of the chair, The first thing they did was to place Speaker Wallace in the chair, and, being thero, ho had to tick, Having obtained possession of the chair the next thing they wanted was the gavel; but alas! that’ instrument, so potent and eflective in the hands of a parliamentarian, was not to be found. When Speaker Mackey came and found hig seat occupied and usurped by a democrat, who would not be tMade to vacate, he at once thought of the gavel, With tho gavel he would be all right, and honors would be easy. Mackey forgot its whereabouts, and in do- Spair almost he looked around im every nook and cor- ner of the stand, but without finding it At length he spied a dusky youth, who was a page of the House; he whispered a few words, the page vanished and reap- peared ia a moment, placing tho magic gavel in the hands of Mackey. It was a victory that can hardly ve appreciated by ordinary mortals who nave not bee: legislators or Speakers of a House. ‘ HOW THE ADVANTAGES WER4 USED. Mackey flourished it, and though he could not sit down, as Wallace did, he rapped away while the dem- ocrats were speaking with such force and effect as to drown the utterance of his opponents. Besides the noise it made Mackey could put the gavel in bis pocket and Walk about with it, but Wallace dare not for the life of him forsake the chair for an instant, That seat had to be watched, and it was amusing to see how carefully the occupant got out of it, and how quickly his successor popped into it, Mackey or nis represen- tative eyeing it all the time in the vain hope of finding it unoceupicd for even an instant. HOW THE NIGHT WAS PASSED. After midnight the republican Spoakor being tired Standing had to call for,one of the ordinary floor chairs, and the position, though not so dignified, be- came less disagreeable, The hour of three A. M. found even the oratpry of Fancy Bill Pinckney had given out and a great majority of the houses were slumbering in their seats or stretched on benches or the floors, when Judge T. Mackey camo in and aroused the white and biack legislators with a humorous speech, which again kept them awake until after four. A desultory debate was kept up from that timo till dayhght, in which the wit and humor of both sides found consid- erable display and kept them all in a pleasing mood and good temper, At last the long looked for day dawned upon the half sleeping and half awake crowd of blacks and whites, Some of them went out to breakfast early, Theso came back quickly and then others wont, rolief after relief, until all tho legislators had satisfied the cravings of their appetite. Toward ten o’clock visitors began to drop in, and by twelve M. there were a good many privileged persons on tho floor. THEORIES REGARDING RUGER’S ACTION, As the hours flew by to-day and the evening came there were a hundrod theories to account tor the hesitation of the Commanding General in taking out the democrats which gave that party a constitutional quorum in the Legislature. Some of these theories may have been right, but the generally accepted one js that General Ruger, finding he had been entrapped by Governor Chamberlain and his supporters into using the troops to the extent of exciuding the democrats on Tuesday until the republicans had organized with a quorum of filty-nine members, sixty-three being the numbor ro- quired by the constitution and laws of tho State, had determined to proceed no further without express orders from Washington. It is known hero that he has been urged by Governor Chamberiain and other republicans to eject the Edge- field aud Laurens delegations from the House, und that General Ruger intended to do so yesterday is clearly established by his instructions and messages to Colonel Haskell, chairman of the Democratic Execu- tive Committee. Whatever has beon the nature of them, telegrams havo beon flying between hore and Washington, and it 1s ramored that the suspense to- day 18 caused by a Cabinet meeting which Is being held at Washington on the subject. Until something is heard from that source of power and republican au- thority, by which everything here is guided, this pense will last. GENEKAL RUGER REFUSES TO EXPLAIN. General Ruger refuses to say whether he authorized Maginnis to give the democrats the notification claimed, but Hampton and Haskell are witnesses that Maginnis came direct to democratic headquarters in the even- ingand said that if Laurens and Edgefield wore not withdrawn by noon to-day they would be cjected by soldiers, LOUISIANA, THE DEMAND FOR THE IMPEACHMENT OF GRANT AND ITS RFFECT—REPUBLICAN FEARS OF DIs- AFFECTION IN THE BOALD—ADDRE&S OF THE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE. [BY TELEGRAPH TO TRE HERALD.1 Nuw Oxuzans, Dec, 1, 1876. The despatches published yesterday announced that the Hzra.p and World demanded the impeachment of General Grant, and {t was generally believed here last night that a Northern sentiment was rife in its favor, REPUBLICANS ALARMED, i It was evident at the session of the Board and subse- quentiy that the republicans were very much alarmed, and to this cause it was mainly assigned, the opinion being shared in by members of the democratic com, mittee, Later it was aiscovered that it was mainly due to fears of disaffection in the Board, J ACTION OF THE HOARD, The Returning Board met as usual this morning, ina very short aud quict session, the republican committee being absent. Its first act was to reconsider its rulings in regard to East Baton Rougo, send for the boxes, and proceeded to open two poils, which gave a democratic majority of about 400, The othor five boxcs were not examined, because the supervisor had decided not to return them at all, These polls would have adtted 600 to the democratio majority, Orders were then given for the bringing in of one Tangipahoa box. THE ORLEANS PARI Asto tho disputed wards of Orleans an order was granted upon thé Secretary of State to produce bis re_ turns, This he refused to do, they being among tho archives of his office, Thereupon the returns of the supervisors were ordered to be produced at ten A. M, to-inorrow, and the Board adjourned, The Democratic Committee issued an address to the people of the United States to night as follow: ADDRESS OF THE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE, To THE I’KorLK or THK UsiteD StaTas:— ‘Ob var arrival here, in casting about for approaches: to the officials who control the elections in this State, we djscovered that they wero all of one political partys ‘that the Governor had appoimted none but republican | Supervisors of Elections, and that the returning ofi- cers coustituting the Slate Board were of the same political schoo! Influenced by these inauspicious surroundings our thoughts and hopes were turned toward the eminent geutlemen who have been selected by the President to be present and see that the Board of Canvassers made a fair count of the votes actually cast, and on the I4th of No- vember we invited these gentlemen io mect and confer with us, This co-operation was declined, but we, nevertheless, have reason to believe that to this corre- spondence may be attributed the inviiation to us on tho 18th ult,, by the Returning Bourd, to attend and be present at its meetin nd witnesses: of its proceedings. 1 courtesy and the services of a jebographer we became possessed ‘ali essenual facts developed on the face of the oficial papors. We have been furnished with a certified copy of the duplicate statements of votes made by the Commis+ Sioners of Election at each place of voting in the State; and from these statements it appears that the Tilden electors received the following Votes, to-wit:— competent ot MeKnuery . 8,712 De Blane « 83,667 Wicklitte. . Seay 83,8 St. Martin Colebd, 83 Poche . $3,529 Cross. 88,652 ! ben the Hayes electors received the following votes, 0 Wit Kellogg. 77,152 Marks. 5, Bercb. T7,lid Levisseo.. 4,889 Brewster, 74,844 Joffrion The result of the vote for Pre: disclosed on the face of tho returns opened by the turning Board in our presenco:— TILDEN ELECTORS, Moknery... Wickliffe , St. Martin Poche ....4+. POR THE NAYES RL 77,023 Marks 6,953 4,6 74.07 73, 8 the returns opened by the Rewurning Board corresponded with the certified copies of the statements of Commissioners of Election furnished us, The most erial difference arose trom tho failure of the Supervisors of East Baton Rouge, Yangipanoa and Orleans to forward tie statement of votes from vourg places in their respective parishe: In thirty-five out of the thirty-eight States in tho Union these figures would be conclusive, and no one 3 Jeifrion. would clam that Tilden and Hendricks were not en- titled to the electorakyote of the State; but in Loar jana a tribunal bas been set up which on former occasions has overthrown the will of the people, as expressed at the polls, and tor which the power is how claimed at its discretion to change the result of the popular yote of the recent election. In view, however, of “the returns and the law and facts which should control the Returning Board, with which we have made ourselves familar, we have po hesitation in saying that the result shown by votes actually cast cannot be changed without a palpable abuse of the letter and spirit of the law governing the Returning Board and a manifest perversion of the facts bolore it, Irregularities bave been committed in sone instances by oflicers conducting elections and tn mak ing returns, but they are about as much on ‘one side as the other, and as to iniimidat on and vio- lenco, or other illegal acts preventing a free and fair election, there is evidence on both sides, but not of such a character as to affect the general result, In most instar the acts of violence proceeded from mere lawlessness, asin the case of Henry and Eliza Pinkston, and had no connection with polities, 1t is a significant fact that in the parishes where it ig alicged that yours were kept trom the polls by intimidation, the total vote of such parishes was as large as at any time heretofore, and in the whole State is 1,500 above any vote heretofore cast. An honest and fair canvass of the returns, even under the Louisiana Iaw, cannot materiatiy reauce Til- den’s majority, as shown on the face of the returas. PALMER, M. B. SMITH, 2GE W, JULIAN, H. H. WATSON. The committoo will not leave the city until Monday, and possibly may remain until the decision of the Board is promulgated. ‘The excitement has run down to alow ebb and both sides are hopeful of a decision in their favor, To-day’s observation still goes to show that the Board is not entirely harmonious in its workings. CHANGE IN THE BOARD'S ACTION, All parties who have participated in the proceedings of the Board notgd a marked change in the bearing of its members, Tho usual arbitrary bearing and harsh rujing was conspicuous by its absonco, and noarly every minor proposition made by the democrats was conceded. It is Known that Casenave is willing, If not anxious, that Nicholls should be returned, a feeling very gener- ally shared in by the old colored creole property hold- ers. TILDEN’S MAJORITY TOO LARGE. It is believed that Tilden’s majority was found too large to be counted out without violating the provisions of their own laws and rulings, As the work progressed toward the end the preparations foll short ot the re- quirements, or toquote Governor Bigler, “The con tract has proved too heavy.’? THE REPUBLICAN REPORT. The members of the republican committee have all been closeted to-day, still at work upon their lotter to General Grant, which promises to be a very formahla document. It will be sustained by a mass of at .-* ec and cover the whole ground of the points at ray— GENERAL CAMPBELL DRCLINES, General Hugh Campbell stated to-night to your cor- respondent that he would not accept a position on the Returning Board, CLAIMS OF THE REPUBLICANS, The repudlican committce still claim that sufficient evidence exists to justify the throwing out of enough parishes to givo the Stato to Hayes, but are otherwise reticent of expressing opinions. Thoy express regret at the declaration of the democratic committee to their proffered request regarding rebutting evidence, as they would \ike to have presented both sides at once to the American people, THE REPUBLICAN PROGRAMME, The programme here seems to be arranged in strict gonformity with that of Florida, The decision of the Board will be arrived at in secret session on Monday and promulgated in Tuesday's paper, PROCEEDINGS OF THE KETURNING BOARD— CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE VISITING COMMITTEES. New Orteays, Dec, 1,1 Tho Returning Board had the usual attendance to- day except the republican committee. Two boxes of Kast Baton Rouge parish were opened, showing for the Tilden electors 437 and for the Hayes clectors 19, But littio business was transacted, and the Boara ad- journed until to-morrow, CORRESPONDENCE OF THE COMMITTERS, The following correspondence took place on Thurs- day and Friday between certain democratic and repub- lican committees wow in this city watching the ean- vyass of the vote of this State by the Retarnixg Board:— LETTER OF THE REPUBLICANS. New Orvuass, La, Nov. 30, 1876, Dear SiR—It is our purpose’ to communicate to the President copies of the testimony of witnesses taken under the order of the Board of Return- ing Officers before commissioners; but we have no means for obtaining copies of such depositions as are taken in bebait of democratic candi dates for electors. I! you will secure us copies of such depositions we will witt? pleasuro transmit tem with copies of depositions tuken by the republican can- didates; so that, if printed berealter, the whole body of tostinony may be read and considered together. There is no doubt that a request by you of tho gentle- men tuking the depositions will enable you to comply with our wish for copies of them, Very rospectiully yours, JOHN SHERMAN, Chairman. ‘To Hon, Jouy M. Panwen, Chairman. REPLY OF THE DkMOCRATS. New Ur.eass, Dee. 1, 1876. Hon. Jony Saerman:— Dear Sm—Your note of yesterday's date was ro- ecived this morning, and at once laid before the ge temen with whom Lam associated, and they instruc | mo to answer that they are extremely auxious that al | the facts relatmyg to the eloction of Presidential electors in Louisiava shall be known to the people of Use United States, bat that your note contains no assurance that the evidence coliected Lere wilt be tara betore tho country, They iuriher instruct me to-day that althou.h upon that and other grounds they decline to be the medium of communication between the repre- sentatives of the President and the citizens who claim to have been chosen by the peopie of Louisiana at the late elections as Presideutial electors they would gladly invite and co-operate with you and your associates in collecting and collating for publication such returns, protests, petitions, exceptions and evi- dence taken by all parties, with any other papers which may be necessary to a full understanding of all the questions that reiate to the election for Presidential Electors in this State. In view of your proposition and the importance of a proper understanding of all the facts by tue country we Mast express our regrets that you declined the co operative action proposed by us in the beginning, Very respectfully, &c, JOHN M. PALMER, FLORIDA. CONFLICTING TESTIMONY BEFORE THE RETURN- ING BOARD—HARD SWEARING ON BOTH SIDES—FORMAL PROTESTS ‘AGAINST THE count. (BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) TaLLanassee, Dec, 1, 1870, To-day’s session of the Board was’ thoroughly duly and uninteresting, without especial point. After the intensely dramatic scenes of yesterday the monot, onous character of to-day’s proceedings wore she more Uresome, The republicans, as Mr. Awpt, of Cinciu® t i nati, expressed it to your correspondent, “put on the leeches and drew some of the bad blood out of the black eye they received yesterday.” They introduced ex-Congressman Walls, colored, who swore that be dicn’t attempt to bribe Dukes to swear to the affidavit introduced by tho republicans, and a young negro boy, who swore that he saw Dukes sign tho affidavit in Belton’s office, They also introduced two negroes who swore to the fairness of the Areber retura with a glibness and preciseness that was astonishing. VERY CROOKED SWEARING. | Altogether this Ajachua matter is lamentably ob- secure. It involves 219 vutes and will doubticss settle the question of tbe Presidency. Of the leading witnesses in this case, Belton bas eworn to threo affidavits, the first alleging republican frauds, the second denying them, and the third alleging that he was drank when be signed the second; Moore signed an aftidavit alleging fraud, for $100, retracted bis first affidavit and then reswore it; Dukes signed an affidavit alleging fraud, another was presented with his signa- ture retracting tho first one, yesterday he appeared swearing that the second aflidavit a forgery and reaffirmed the first, To-day a witness appears and swears ho saw Dukes sign the second; @ negro clerk and an inspector appear to-day and swear in point blank denial of the balf dozen preceding witnesses, DEMOCRATIC EVIDENCE, The democrats have largely the advantage in the case, Inthe first place, they bad the first affidavit of Moore, who comes into court and confesess that for a bribe he was persuaded to retract it; they have the afl davit of Dukes, the other inspector, who swears Indig- nantly that the alleged retraction presented by the republicans was a forgery. They havo the first testi. mony of Belton, who swears that he was made drunk, and while intoxicated signed a contradictory paper. They have thus tho first testimony of two inspectors and two canvassers, 4 majority of both boards, all republicans, contradicted by counter afliduvits, one of which was obtained through brivery, another through forgery, another through drunkenness of the signer and the fourth through false representation—at least this is what cach ono of the four coming before the Board and reaffirming his first testimony swears was done, Besides, they have affl- davits from four respectable citizens, whose cbar- acters have not been attacked, swearing that thoy knew tho vote to have been only 316, one helping count it, and taking # memorandum of tho result, the other keeping a tally list all day, and two others hearing it announced by the clerk at the closo of the polls; and another unimpeached witness who swoars that the morning after election Inspector Black told him that the result was A MORAL ADVANTAGE, Beyond this they have a moral advantage in the fact that Dennis, who is alleged to have manipulated this yote, has been charged with being implicated in several frauds before, and hos been once tried for em- bezzlement, though he was acquitted. It is hard to Bee at present bow the Board can, with any sortof decency, refuse to throw out these 219 votes, FIGURES WHICH GIVE THE STATH TO TILDEN, Thero has been no othor caso yet presented that scems to call for decided action. The democrats may gain a few votes in Duval, and they will certainly hoid Baker, to which they havo the only prima facie title, and In which the precinct returns will show that the return read by the Chairman, to the suppression of the true return, is bogus and incorrect, This gives Tilden @ majority of over 100, oven with the Alachua vote in, but the republicans will probably gain a few votes in two or three counties, I feol safe in saying, that uniess developments are mado to-morrow, the de+ cision on Alachua will settle the vote of Florida, CHARGES OF INTIMIDATION, It will be noticed that every case made by the re- publicans yesterday rested primarily on the charge of intimidation in one shape or other. This is the ono and only plea of that party. The pleas in several counties will be filed to-morrow. INTEREST IN SOUTIC CAROLINA NEWR, Tho news from South Carolina creates intense ¢: citement. The bulletin board is surrounded by ersallthe time. The Northern men here show mych more vivid interest in the matter than the Southern. ers, who seem to be utterly callous to outrages of all sorts, The oficors of tho companics of troops stationed here show a very decided interest in all the news from South Carolina, and appear to think that there isa possibility of some more serious work ahead for them than sucking oranges in Florida, PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD. Tho Board met at 10 o'clock. Tho case of Alachua was called, and the republicans introduced Thomas H. Vanre, colored, the clerk of the election inspectors at archer precinct. He testified he was born in Canada and was educated in the common schools of Buffalo; was present at the olection of November 7 at Archer; that 635 yotes wero cast at tho poll, 399 for the republican ticket and 136 for tho democratic; that when, in counting, two moro ballots wore discovered than the poll list called for they wero torn up. Two certificates were made and signed show- ing 535 votes; they were not signed in blank. On his crosa-examination be swore that he was em- ployed by the assessors of tho county in Mr, Dennis’ office; was employed about one month betore election (Mr. Dennis is charged by the democrats with superin- tending the manipulating of ballots); since eiection was not employed bv anybody; a tally sheet was kept of the count; don’t know what has become of it; think it was lost, camo here Tucaday; there wore several in the train; Black, inspector, was on the train with him; came here two Weeks ago with Dennis and Edwarts; don't know Samucl Fleming; don’t know whether he was at the polls or not; docs know Tucker; he was there; didn’t give Tucker a memorandum of the vote. When reminded of a discrepancy m the vote ho stated that thero might ave been a mistake in adding it up. He slept with Black election night; the box was taken to his (Vance’s) house; put the ballot box ina basket and carried it to the Court House next morning. Biack, the Inspector, came here last might. He has seen him R. H. Black, colored, was then introduced, and swore he was born in Phila and educated in Edenboro; was just commencing to learn Latin verse when he camo home; was present at Archer precinct on election day; was Inspector; beard from Dr, Carew that Dokes, the other inspector, was sick; after his refusing to appoint anew one Dukes turned up; there were 435 votes cast and certificates showing this result wore signed by the inspectors; announced this result from the window; Tucker helped to count the votes; noticed Mr. Flommng at the window; he left the room oneo while the count- going on; made no official announcement till counting of the yoto closed; he made statement to Tucker, bat thas was some Ip jost; be stated that several democrats called at nis hous) at nightand tried to persuade him to take the ballot box to some other place than his house; ho re- fused to do so; saw Mr. Dickison om the train yesterday; could not remember tho _ poiitt- cal conversation with him; he did not tell Peter Doughterty, on the morning after election, that the vote at Archer precinct, Nos. L and 2, was about equal to the question as to whether or not he put ballots into the box after eloction or changed the votes; he said ho did not; he saw Fieming keeping a list of the voters as they came in; don't know what became of tho tally lest: Major MeCane (colored) was introduced :~-Can’t read ; saw Floyd Dukes sign an affidavit in Bolton’s office; he heard the aMldavit read to Dukes; it was about Archer vaflot box; this was betweon eight and nine o'clock; Grecn More was prpeent, * Ex-Congrosgman Walls (colored) introdueed. He testifled that he did offer Floyd Dukes a bribe of $25 to sign @ paper; he 18 now Coanty Commissioner; has been elected to Congress three times, but never could hoid his place; be did go to Dukes’ house on Saturday with Belton, He went there to in- dace him to sign the affidavit, At his house the wit- ness hesitated; he probably declined, said he would go down town, “Iam telling the trath gents; went to Belton’s office, Dukes’ foliowing; he didn’t go to Bel- ton’s dice. Belton and Dukes went in; Dukes has touched the pen and signed, The republicans announced that they had sent for more witnesses on the Alachua case and would try and have them here by Saturuay. REBCTTING TESTIMONY, The democrats introduced Mr. J, Coxe, Clerk ot the Superior Court. He stifies ho had never sev & pape’, purporting to be re- turns from his county, signed by the Judge aud justice; never heard of it OF knew that it was being made until after it was read before the Board; he never had au intimation of it unti he had reached here, the day before yesterday; he certitied that we first return was correct; he requested the Judge to |e the canvass on which it was mado, Tesused to assent in making It; ho recoived notice from the Judge vo moot bi and make the canvass on the 13th; he and the justice were at the appointed place, but the Judge was not; he and the justice then made @ canvass precisely simiiar to that made on the 10th and sent it on; the Judge bad not been appointed and he did not know he was the Judge. He begged the Judge very carnestiy to canvass with bim; he denied that he was begged to buy a board of canvassers to make the canvass; that he did not offer the Sheriff money te Sign the paper; that the Sheriff said he had becy ofered money by a man named Barnett to sign it, ORJECTION TO THE COUNT OF DUVAL. The democrats opened with Duval, They objected to the counting of the vote for Duval, on the ground ‘that fifty-three men who were not registered voted in the county; that thirty-three men voted twice thirteen men convicted of crime voted, and that sixteen inmates of the county prison voted; that the only dem- cratic commissioner in the county was removed just before the election that the registration list might be packed, That the registration list was packed is provep by accompanying affidavits, REPUDLICAN OBJECTIONS. The ropublicans filed objections to Nassau county, reiterating that Mr. Thompson, a candidate for the Legislature, Paymaster of the Atlantic and Gulf Rail road, put a number on certain dnmocratic tickets, and, giving them to the colored omployds gf the road, notified them that unless tickets with these nambers were found ‘n the ballot box he would discharge every man whose number was missing. The republicans objected to thirty-four votes on the same ground in Duval county, the officers of a different railroad being concerned, Objections to tho Jackson county return on tho ground of intimidation, fraud qnd violence, were then read by General Low Wallace, The specifications recite that the democratic inspectors refused to ro- ceive seven republican votes; that the republican su- pervisers was driven away; that the ballot boxes were out of the reach of tho voters, and that one of the inspectors took a handful of votes out of the box and put them in his pocket; that seventy-six republicans voted at one box after dinner, and balf as many before dinner, and that only seventy- seven republican votes were counted. The Board then adjourned until to-morrow A. M, THE RHODE ISLAND ELECTOR, THE DECLARED VACANCY FILLED BY THE GENe ERAL ASSEMBLY. Provivence, Dec, 1, 1876, The General Assembly convened in special session to-day. Governor Lippitt communicated the opinion of the Supreme Court, that Mr. Corliss, Presidential Elector elect, 18 ineligible by reason of being a membor of the United States Centennial Commission, Hon, W. 8. Slater was clected to fill the vacancy, receiving 81 votes, to 10 for Charles R, Cutler, democratic can- didate, THE NEW YORK ELECTORS, MEETING OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE ON TUES DAY—MR, JAMES H, HALDANE LIKELY TO BE ABSENT. [By TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] Aunany, Dec, 1., 1876, Tho Electoral Collego will mect on Tuesday, in the Senate Chamber, instead of the Assembly Cham- ber, where they met four years ago, The Secretary of State has received notices from all the elec. tors announcing tho recoipt of their certificates, and their determination to be present, except James H. Haldane, o: old Spring, who has n iD mp and possibly may not arrive in time. If he 1s absent his place will be filled by the other electors, ‘The Board of Canvassers for tho counting of the vote for State officers aro empowered to meet at any time Deore the 15th inst. Governor Robinson, the only member of the Board whose own voto 1s to be canvassed, has announced hig intention not to take part in the meeting, LOSS OF A SPANISH BARK, THE CREW AND PASSENGERS SAVED BY THR BRITISH STEAMER KING ARTHUR. The Spanish bark Asia, of the Havana registry, 538 tons burden, Captain Diego Ramas, in her voyage from Pascagoula to Amberes, with a load of lumber, thirteen of a crew and two passengers, was abandoned at sea and went down on the 24th of Novomber last, jn lat itude 34 dog. 29 min. 18 sec, north, and longitude 69 deg. 15 min. 30 sec. east from San Fernanda, t THE CAPTAIN'S STATEMENT, In consequence of the soverity of the weather one ‘19th, 20th and 21st of the present month great leaks were discovered ip the vessel. She was then situatea tn latitude 35 deg. 26 min. north and longitude 59 deg. 26 min. east from San Fernando. The Captain called together his officers for consultation, to see if they could make the Bermuda Isiands, Lut finding that on the 24th the wind still blew with mucb vivlence from the southeast, this was impossible, Notwith- standing the continual working of the pumps by all hands of the exhausted crew, who wergsuflering much from fatigue and want of sleep, the Thip con- tinued to muko water in such s manner as to leave her completely waterlogged aud at the merey of the waves. At two o'clock of the evening of the 28th in this situation the English steamer King Arthur hove in sight. The crew of tne Asia signalled to that ship their critical situation, ask- ing that a boat should be sentto take them on board, ‘Yhe captain of the steainer, regardless of the danger of the undertaking, remaining at a distance from the Agia, sent a boat manned by the thiru oilicer and four of her crew, who bravely, and alter encoun tering several times the danger of being swam, and betog aided by a boat ftom the bark, rescued the entire fifteen souls who were on her, including the twe | passengers. At this moment the burk’s position was:— Latitude 4 deg, 29 min, 18) sec. north ana longitude 59 dog. 15 min. east from San Fernando, After finding selves for some time at the mercy of the which momentarily threatened to ewallow them, the steamer came along side and they were rescued from their perilous convition. The boats of both the Asia and the steamer wero dashed with force against the ides of the latter, Until tour o'clock in the afternoon tho bark could be seen from the steamer, At that hour sho disappeared, not by reason of tho distance vetween the two vi for the steamer, on account of the bad weather and dam- aged state of her heitn, did no more than hold her own without making headway. All hundas Were res- cued from the Asi and treated on board the steamer with the greatest care and attention, “We are all”? says the captain of tho Asia, “eternally grateful to tho Captain of the steamer, “hig thira officer and the four of his crew who rmsked their lives to save us.” A document to the above effect was sigued by the rescued captain and crew, whose names areas follows :—Diego Rainas, captain ; Sun tiago Benito, mate; Manuei Sofianer, second mate; Gregorio Guile lama and Vicenie Manricio, passengers, aud Pedro Yontante, Francisco Marcilino, Gaspar Rojas, Mariano de Ja Cruz, Alberto Lament, Lorenzo Gomez, Francisca Saicedo, Venancio Asture, Pio Adarau, snore, CHURCH ANNIVERSARY. In the Reformed Episcopal church, Madison avonne and Fort; venth strect, last evening, there wase servieo of praise, commemorative of the third anniver- sary of the church’s organization, in whieh Rev, William T. Sabine, the rector, was assisted by Mr, James M. Gray; Rov. John P. Betker, chaplain of the Tombs; Rey. George B. McCampbell, of the Presbyte- rian Church of the Intarnation, Brooklyn; Rey. Dr, Deems, of the Church of the Strangers, and an excel. lent company of singers. Tne service wns opened by the rector in brief and pertinont introductory re. marks, which were followed by prayor from Rev. Dr, Deems. Then there was reading of the Scriptures by Chaplain Botker, alter which the speaking was the order of the evenin, Mr. James M. Gray spoke strongly in favor of the liberalized thought by which the Reformed Episcopal Church was made distinctive, for by aud through distinguishing ture of the reformed organization mucu had been done toward securing effective unity in gospel work in churches of diflerent denominations. Rev. George B. McCampbeli, considered tt she most singular event in bis lite that he, a High Chureb Pros yterian, should be there to congratulate the Reformed Episcopal Ohurob on the progress it had made, And yet he feltgiad that the bridging of the chasm lying botween the churches of differgt denominations was progressing through the progresa of the charch whose third anniv they wore celebrate ing. in its = progr there was evidence ot the growth of a more fraternal feeling among them, and that, too, without growth, among genuine Ubrist- jana, of desire for simply sensational preaching, Sen- gational preachers found it comparatively easy to fill their chorches with wonder-seekers, but in the retorm movement in which they were engaged there was only an effort to secure improvement in the forme of wor. shipping God. Rev. Dr. Doems, of the Church ot gers, told of bis boynood and college daye first bishop of the Reformed Church; of their having ‘sparked’? the same gir), and of their baving, subsequently, found occasion for thanking God that neither of them mar ried her. Ho then gave exprossion to tho satisfaction it gave him to learn of the growth of the Charch, and, With an eloquent declaration of confidence tn its con> tinued growth, he closed his address, and, with the benediction, the people retired, THE PRESS CLUB ELECTION, Yesterday tho New York Press Club held thelpy age pual election, with the following result:—Charles Pulham, President; William N. Penvey, Jobn Grifig and Eawin M. Fox, Vice Presidents; Patriok K, Recording Secrevwry; Jerome Brady, Cor ing Secretary; Jobo Hennessey, Financial Secretary~ William H, Stiner, Treasurer, and Thomas H, Hamilton Librarian, The Executive Commiltes for the coming year com siete of Horatio C. King, Charles T, arpens, Charla H. Biaden, George Siater, George W. Pearce, John Nolan, Patrick J. Hennessey, George F, Spinney Charles Sovberan,