Some ballots were for republicans, some for democrats, and some marked wrong so as to indicate the votes of illiterates.

The majorities, of course, were invariably such as suited the democrats.

The ballots were all carefully counted and arranged; and tabulated statements of the votes cast put in.

A sheet for the returns was put in, only awaiting the signatures of the officials at the various precincts in order to be complete.

These boxes were carried by trusted messengers to their destinations.
On election day, not these boxes, but boxes similar to them were used to receive the ballots.