The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-11-14
Alderman Geddings acc.p:ed the amend.

Alderman Geddinss acc .p:ed the amend.
ment. - i.f l;If -. 4
Alderman Whilden- moved to further amend
by striking out the last paragraph of the reso'
luton, but Alderman Geddipes objected. AL
derman Whilden withdrew the motion.
Alderman Moore concurredi in the distinction
previously taken between protest and contest,
but thought that Council had jurisdiction in
the matter. He was doubtful, however, as to
the effect of the provision of the act requiring
the officers elect to be inducted into office on
tho Monday after the election.
Mayor Clark explained that there could be no
officers elect until after the election had been
declared, and that it was for the purpose OF
determining how declaration was 10 be ar
rived at that Council was now in session.
Alderman Geddings insisted upon his opin-
ion that there could be no proper subject Of &
protest until tho election had been declared.
May or Clark read from the protest, to show
that it was against the Illegal conduct OF an
election, about the occurrence Of wh:cA there
was no dispute.
Alderman Whildcn said that the protest was
not against any man or set OF men, but against
the validity of the election.
Alderman McKinlay (colored) thought the
election must be declared before protest
could be made.
Alderman Wall coin3ided in the same view.
Further desultory discussion took place,
after which the question was put. But, before
putting the question, Mayor Clark declared his
opinion to be that tho only part OF the act ueces-
cary for Council to consider was the following
clause:
The Managers of Elections shall decide con-
teste cases, su; jcct to the ultimate decleiol
of the Boards Of Aldermen or Wardsns, when
organized, except when iGe election OF q ma
jority Of the persons v>tc>, sJr are contested,
or the managers charged with illegal conduct,
in which case tho returns, together with the
ballots shall be examined and the case inyee-
tlgated by the acting Board OF Aldermen, who
shall declare the election, and their decision
shall tic binding upon all parties.
The question being put, the resolution OF
Alderman Gcddings as amended by Alderman
Whilden was passed. only Aldermen Wall and
McKinlay voting in the negative. The rcsolu-
ton as passed reads as follows:
Whereas, Tho General Assembly of this
State, by an act, constituted the Mayors and
Councils OF the several municipalities respec-
lively in this State umpr1s to examine and ue-
clare the results of popular elections in certain
exigences therein set forth, and such exlcency
having arisen IL the recent Municipal election
of this city, in which 1t is cOntcndcd that illegal
courses have been practiced, which have con-
tributcd to an erroneous result, and that pro-
test against such an election being uttered and
declared final, being llumerously and respect
ably signed, has been presented to the Mayor
for his action and that Of the Council; it IS
therefore
Resolued, That it is the duty of his Honor
the Mayor and Cou.sl to appoint an early day
to verify the ballox6 in the various wards,
as legally required, to take under oath evil
dences of fraud and other illegal acts said to
have been practiccd in tho recent Municipal
elections, and in all ncedful ways to conform
to the Act Of Assembly, as an Indispensable
preliminary to an official cnunciation of tho
result of said election. And that the place ap-
pointed by this Council to hear the evidence
IN the matter of the protest Of tho recent cleo
tion be the City Court room, and the hour II
NJ, Saturday, November H. and be continued
from day to day until completed, Sundays ex-
ceptcd.
On motion of Alderman Olnoy, the Mayor
was authorized to appoints committee of three
to draft rales for the government of Council
during the examination, the rules 10 be re-
ported to Council and subject to their action.
The Mayor appointed the following Commit
tee: Aldermen Olncy, Howard and Geddings.
Council then adjourned.