The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1861-02-07
Adjournment of the Legislature.

scene from the Charleston Mercury The House of
Representatives was engagedin discussion Near the
hour for final adjournment-the question was or
dered when the ayes and noes were called for and
member raised the point of order that there was
not quorum present. The account proceeds:
The Speaker, after count, announced
that there was not quorum present.
Sixty-three members constituted quo
rum, but there were only ffty-six mem
bers present.
Mr.. Cunningham moved that there be
call of the House, and stated that it was
due to the dignity of the body that
quorum should be present at this time.
Mr.. Boylston hoped the call would be
made.
Mr.. Black inquired whether he could
withdraw his point Of order, as he not
wish to place the House in an unpleasant
position.
The Speaker replied that the motion
could not. DC withdrawn. 1t had been
brought to the attention of the Chair that
the House was without quorum, and
the Chair would inform the House that
he would not transact business until a
quorum appeared.
The question was then taken, and the
call of the House was ordered.
The Clerk accordingly called the roll
and the names Of the abscntees being as
ccrtained, the Doorleeper was directed
to summon their attendance.
In the meantime
On motion of Mr.. W. G.. DeSaussure,
Mr. B. J. Johnson was excused on &C
count of illness; also Mr. Macfarlan for
the same cause.
On motion of Mr.. Mullins, Messrs. How
ard and Anderson were excused on ac-
count of illness.
On motion of Mr.. w. G.. DeSaussure,
Mr.. Prince was excused on account of
military duties.
Onmotion of Mr.. Boyston, Mr.. Ramsay
was excused On account of military duties
in the harbor.
From o'clock up to quarter to IL,
the sitting was very dull and drea1y.
Lacking quorum, all business was sus-
pended, and when members moved to adj
journ they were requested to withdraw
the motion in order that no discourtesy
might be offered to the Scnate-thc effect
of the motion in the position of the House
being az adjournment sine die. In the
meantime, the "Black Rod" in thehands
of the willing officers, created surprise
and considerable stir in various quarters
of the city Still no returns were made,
when finally the House was aroused from
it's apparent Indifference to results by the
announcement Of message from the
Senate" In moment the Clerk of the
Senate, Mr.. Wm. L. Martin, was observed
advancing up the aisle. lie said:
Mr.. Speaker am instructed by the
Senate TO inform the House that it has
disposed of the business Of the present
session Of the General Assembly, and IS
now ready to adjourn.
To which the Speaker replied:
Mr.. Clerk. Please mention, as coming
from the presiding officer of this body,
tha5 this House is without quorum, and
if the House shall pretormit the usual
message it is because they have not the
power to send it.
The Clerk of the Senate then retired.
The Speaker then laid before the House
a message from the Senate, informing the
House that the Senate had concurred in
the alteration of the House in the nation
al flag of South Carolina, adopted on Sat
urday.
Mr.. O'Bryan. move that the House
adjourn.
Mr.. Boylston. Mr.. Speaker: There
will be difficulty if we adjourn now.
The presiding officer has just announced
that the House cannot adjourn. [Sever-
al voices: "Oh nor] The House can
adjourn from day to day, but not sine
The Speaker. The Chair will state to
the members
Mr.. Cunningham (intorrupting). An ad-
iournment by twenty members now
means an adjournment sine die.
The Speaker resuming). The Chair
has already replied to the interrogatory
of a member. A majority of this House,
when it had majority, ordered the final
adjournment to be this day; consequent