Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-07-23
ELECTION OF SENATOR'S.

During the past week, the ''so-called" Legisla-
ture, now sitting in Columbia, has elected two
persons as Senators, to represent South Carolina
in the seats once occupied by Calhoun and Nc
Duffe. Thomas j. Robertson, of Columbia, has
been elected for the short term, which expires in
1871 and Frederick A. Sawyer, Of Charleston,
Collector of Internal Revenue for the Second Dis
trct of South Carolina, for the 'long term, which
expires in 1873.
Robertson is renegade native, who during the
latter part of the war was woodcontractor on the
South Carolina Railroad, and at the close embra-
ced negroism and radcalism, for the purpose Of
being rewarded for his 'loiI' sacrifices. We do
not envy him his honors!
Sawyer is native of Massachusetts,. For some
years previous to- and until the latter part Of the
war, he was the Principal. of the State Normal
School in Charleston. A few months previous
to the close of the war he was permitted by the
military authorities at Richmond, to leave Char
lesion for the North. At the close of the war he
returned to Charleston and secured the appoint
ment of Collector of Internal Revenue While in
Charleston, it was very well understood that he
did not sympathize with the Confederate cause but
in consequence of his prudence and gentlemanly
conduct, he retained the esteem of many persons
who differed with him in opinion.
For the "short term" there was no contest, and
Robertson was elected without any serious opposi-
ton. For the "long term" there were three can
didatcs cs-Dr. A. G. Mackey, Collector of Customs
at Charleston, F. A. Sawyer, and Reu. Mansfield
French, Northern 'carpet-bagger," whose pro.
fession, according to correspondent of the Char
lesion Ne,cs, cannot be accurately ascertained.
Three joint ballots were taken, with the following
result
First ballot-Mackey, SO; Sawyer 81 French,
81; Campbell, l6. E. J. Whipper then withdrew
the name of Parson Mansfield French. Second
ballot-Mackey 6S; Sawyer, Is; Campbell, IS;
French j. Third ballot-whole number voting,
l49; necessary to choice, 75-Sawyer rs; Mack
ey 6s; Campbell, s.
Sawyer having received the requisite number OF
votes was declared duly elected, amidst the cheers
of members and spectators, and as a choice OF
evils, to the qualification of the country generally.
The democrats for time voted for Campbell
and Perry, but number of them, on the last bal,
lot voted for Sawyer, which secured his election
The contest between the Mackey and Sawye1
parties has been conducted with extreme bitterness
on each side, rendering it altogether the dirtiest
and most dsagraceful election ever held in the
State. Mackey was furious in consequence OF his
defeat, and Immediately dispatched messenger
to Washington to protest against Sawyer being
allowed to take his seat. The protest is based upon
charge that Sawyer was engaged in blockade
running during the war.
The following from correspondent of the Char
lesion Me,cs furnishes q graphic picture of the
scenes, preceding the election:
"a spectacle is now on exhibition in Columbia,
such as never has been witnessed in South Caro-
lina-a spectacle, every phase Of which typi6es
the utterly unprincipled character Of the Republi.
can party, and illustrates the fightful depth Of