Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-11-10
NOVEMBER 10, 1852.
From tho South Csrolnian, 2d inst.
THE LEGISLATURE.

The Legislature convened yesterday, n
l2 m. The roll Of the Senate was callet
by the Clerk, ami, on motion of Mr.. De
Treville, Hon. F. J. Moses, Senator from
Claremont, was called 10 the Chair.
The Senators elect were then qualified
and the Senate then proceeded to the elec
tion Of President, when the Hon. X. F. w
Allston was unanimously elected. A com
mttee was appointed to conduct the Presi
dent to the Chair, and on taking his seat, he
addressed the Senate as follows
accept, with lively sensbility, the hono
which you have conferred anew, by ap
pointing me to the Chair of this honorable
body. | will construe this evidence of your
favorable regard into an earnest Of future
support in the discharge of the duties de-
volving upon me.
1t shall be my constant aim and endcavol
to perform those duties faithfully, impartial
ly, and firmly, to the hest Of my ability
If in doing so fall short of your expeeta
tions, let the failure be ascribed not to my
will, but rather to in6rmity inseparable from
my nature.
You will adopt system Of rules for the
government of the Senate. Those rules il
will be my study to understand, in order to
apply them: as it will doubtless be the plea.
surn of every member to become familiar
with, and to abide by them.
Let US not dispense with forms as useless.
The observance of them is as necessary to
the prompt, accurate and agreeable des-
patch of business rs it is to the grateful in
tercourse and gentle courtesies of society.
Gentlemen, trust we meet with minds
willing to unite in counsel, and harmonize in
action for the common veal; intent to de-
velop more fully the resources of the State ;
to promote the education and training Of
her youth !; to secure the industry and wealth
Of her people; to cultivate all the elements
of moral power and prosperous happiness.
Let there be cherished amongst us no
latent spark of bitterness, which may blaze
up at some unpropitious moment, and mar
the promise Of our peaceful progress.
Two years ago the walls Of this chamber
were clad in mourning for the death Of our
lamented Calhoun. Recently both of his
distinguished compeers have passed away,
who constituted, with him, so remarkable Il
trio -in--lhe Federal council-individually
great in Influence, in intellectual achieve.
:ment, IN ati assnciaiinn- thnI I,;--t1,
|sry OF Their country -
From their school of politics, differing
widely, as we do, yet the personal feelings
which that difference may have engcndered
we can lay down on the graves where they
sleep, and do reverence to their genius
rendering the homage Of our respect for
those eminent characteristic abilities which
they possessed, and which have so often
called forth, in conflict, the highest powers
of our own cherished statesmen.
We are about proceeding to the business
of the sessions. May that Almighty power
from whom all good counscls do proceed,
watch over and guide our deliberations,
control and mould our action, for the honor
and welfare of the State.
w. Z. Martin, ESQ.,, was elected Clerk,
and J. Il. Goodwin Reading Clerk. The
other officers were reelected.
On motion of Mr.. Adams, Messrs, John.
ston g. Cavis were elected printers to the
Senate for the extra session.
On motion Of Mr.. Carn, committee was
appointed to wait on his E1cellency the
Governor, and inform him that the Senate
was organized, and were ready to receive
any communication which he mi ght think
proper to make to that body.
Shortly after, the following message was
read by Beaufort T. Watts, Esq, the Sec.
rctary:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
COLUMBIA, Nov. l, 1852.
Gentlemen of the Senate and
House Of Representatives:
have deemed it my duty to call you
together OH this occasion, to enable the
State to cast its vote for Electors Of Presi-
dent and Vice President Of the United
States.
Some doubts have been entertained and
expressed as to the constitutional power OF
the Governor to call the Legislature toyeth.
or for the purpose alluded to. The Consti'
tuition authorizes the Governor to convene
the Legislature on extraordinary occasions
1t has been seriously mooted, whether thi:
is an extraordinary occasion, as the Legis
lature were aware of the contingency thai
would happen, and ought to have provided
for it. This may be the case, but it is evi
dent that no provision was made, and thai
the State would lose its vote in case were
to neglect or refuse to call you together.
think that any doubt which may have
arisen on the subject has no real foundation
in truth. 1t seems to me that the clear
meaning of the Constitution is that the
Governor should have power to convene the
Legislature to transact any business for the
good of the Commonwealth, which could moi
be transacted at its regular session. Acting
under the belief of the correctness OF this
construction, have called you together.
am sustained in the propriety Of this course
by the precedent set by that able jurist, Ex
Governor Johnson.
The Act Of Congress requiring the votes
for Electors to be cast on the same day
throughout the United States, was passed
January 2, 1916, and Governor Johnson
convened the Legislature on the first Mon
day of November, lS4S. So you will per-
ceivc that two regular ressions had inter
vened between the date of the Act Of Con
gress and the convening of the Legislature
which certainly made that occasion no more
extraordinary than this.
think | am also sustained in the course
have nursued by the sense of the LepiSla