These county electoral boards would appoint judges for each precinct or voting place in the county.

They would also appoint a special constable at each voting booth to assist the illiterate voters.
With rare exceptions, the officials were democrats, and with the entire state's election machinery in their hands the democrats could manage elections according to their "own sweet will." It goes without saying that the democrats always carried any and every precinct that they decided, and elections were mere farces.
Such was the condition of affairs when Bernard came forward as a candidate from the Second Congressional District.

The district was overwhelmingly republican, but the democrats always secured the office.
It was regarded as downright foolhardy to attempt to get elected to Congress from the District as a republican; so the nomination was merely passed around as an honor, empty enough.
It was such a feeling that inspired the republicans to nominate Bernard; but Bernard entered the canvass in dead earnest and conducted a brilliant campaign.
The masses of colored people rallied around his flag.

Ministers of colored churches came to his support.

Seeing that the colored people were so determined to elect Bernard, the white republicans, leaders and followers, fell into line.