“The interests of both white and black men are identical in this struggle. Whatever rights and privileges either enjoy under the constitution are sacred, and it is the duty of every citizen to see that they are maintained. The Democratic party has always upheld and defended the constitution of the country and will now, as ever in the past, protect and defend every citizen in the full and free exercise of all rights guaranteed by that instrument.”[268] It declared its platform to be retrenchment and reform, reduction of the debt and taxation, rebuilt levees, restored confidence, and a desire to develop the agricultural resources of the State. The election was remarkable for its peaceful character.[269] But later investigation established the fact that there was much fraud both in connection with the appointment of registrars and in the count of the election ballots. The law required the appointment of registrars six months before election. Yet in August but two had been appointed. It was charged that the governor purposely delayed appointment in order to influence the August convention.[270] He had appointed in at least sixteen parishes Democratic supervisors of registration on the score that it was hard to find competent Republicans willing to undertake it and that it was good policy.[271] The same investigation concluded that “there is no doubt that most scandalous frauds were committed by and with the connivance of some of these registrars,[272] sometimes in the interest of Republicans and sometimes in the interest of Democratic candidates.”[273] An old negro, who had been nominated, was astonished at the result of the count and cried: “Is it possible I have no vote come out of the box? ’Fore God, I know I vote for myself.”[274] A considerable number of registrars, clerks, and friends of registrars were returned elected to the legislature.[275] Carr, who was returned from De Soto Parish without a nomination, was not even a resident of that parish,[276] nor was his the only case of that kind. It was conspicuous that fraudulently returned members were friends of the governor,[277] and he was charged with direct complicity in two cases. Some rioting, notably at Donaldsonville and Baton Rouge, was reported.[278] This naturally gave rise to many contested elections which hung on to furnish the opponents of the governor their opportunity in 1872. It was a clear Republican victory. Graham and Dubuclet, the Republican candidates for auditor and treasurer, came in with majorities of about twenty-five thousand each, and that party secured majorities in both branches of the Assembly. The four constitutional amendments were submitted to popular vote and adopted. The amendment to Article 99 was indorsed unanimously.[279]