The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-12-03
TrRoM OUR ows CORRESPONDENT

TFRoM OUR owE CORRESPONDENT.
COLUMBIA, S. c., December 1.-The Special
Committee of the House OF Representatives
to whom was referred the matter of the death
of Martin and Randolph, made their report to-
dav. As will be seen, the Democratic members
object to the resolutions on account OF the
spirit evident in them to make political capital
by charging indirectly the murders upon the
Democratic party. The Democratic members
dcny the imputation, which has also been re-
peatedly denied by the press Throughout the
State The eulogies delivered, except perhaps
that made by DeLarge, were OF the same
character. DeLarge's speech is commanded
by the Democrats and the citizens generally
for its moderate and conciiatory tone.
The following are the resolutions reported
by Whipper on behalf Of the special commit
tee:
Whereas. Information has reached this
House of the death OF Mr.. James Martin, a
representative from Abbevile County, who
was deliberately murdered on the puoile road,
Courthouse, on the 5th OF October; and
whereas, there can be no doubt that Mr.. Mar
tin yas murdered solely because OF his polltl-
cal associations; therefore, be 1t
Resoloed, That In the death Of Mr.. James
Martin, member from Abbeyille County, this
House loses one who, though quiet and unob-
trusive was always faithful and di.igent in the
performance OF his duties, ana tnaI we sln-
cerely mourn his loss.
Resotoed, That, regretting as we do the loss
Of member so gentle, unobtrusive and inte!-,
lieent as was Mr.. Martin, We cannot but regret
far NOR, the existence in any part OF our state
of q spirit which would seek to serve party
purposes by viole ice and murder; and that
the existence of such spirit is still moro to
be deplored aud deprecated, and assumes
more portentous appearance when 1t selected
as its victim one who, under no circumstances,
could have given provocation that would JUS
tify or even palliate the conduct OF those who
murdered him.
Resolued, That while we would not willingly
believe that the intelligence and respectability
OF this State. or Of any portion Of 1t, does now
give, or has at any time given, its sane tion to
the cutrages of which the murder of MIR. Mar
tin, and the equally atrocious and unjustifiable
murder Of the Hon. B. f. Randolph, senator
from Orangeburg, are examples, we cannot
bliud ourselves to the fact that, as yet, the cll-
zens in whose supposed interest these outrages
have been perpetrated, have done little OF no.
thing towards bringing to justice those who
committed them, but that, on the contrary,
the attempts made by the Executive of the
State to arrest the guilty parties have been de-
nounced in the communities where the crimes
were committed as an arbitrary exercise OF
power not justified by tho circumstances; and
that, in some instances, the officers OF the law
have been threatened and treated with vio-
lence.
Resolued, That we would fain believe, now
thai the excitement OF bitter political con.
test is over, that the psople OF our State Will
settle down into o quiet obedience to law and
respect for the rights of all, and that however CT
members OF the General Assembly OF South
Carolina we can cherish no feelings OF bitter
ness or revenge; but that we will, in the future
as IN the past, address ourselves to the task OF
making such laws and adopting such measures
as will secure equal and exact justice to all
classes, aud prosperity to the State.
Resolred, That these resolutions be entered
upon the journal of the House, and copy OF
them be sent to the family of Mr.. Martin, with
the expression Of our sincere sympathy and
coincidence in their affliction, and that the
Speakers desk be draped with mourning for
thirty days, and that this House do now ad-
journ in respect to his memory.
The resolutions we're seconded by A. j. han-
sier.
Eulogies we're delivered by Messrs. Tomlin-
l.
hott and DeLarge.
Messrs. Moore and Turner (Democrats) also
spoke in reference IT, the resolutions.
R. B. Elliott offered the following amend.
ment:
Resolued, That the members of this House
do wear the usual badge OF mourning for TIM
ty days, and that n blank page of the journal
be inscribed to the memory OF the deceased
represec tative. James Martin.
QnOOip0-vQaS
n,ys7.
The resolutions as amended we're then
adopted.
The following papers were presented, to be
entered on the journal:
The undersigned, Democratic members OF
the House of Representatives of South Caroli-
ma, fearing their affirmative vote on tue amend
ment to the resolutions i'll relation to the death
of Mr.. Martin, of AbbevIlle, rou.d be msun-
derstood, beg leave to state that they voted Tor
the amendment because they considered it
proper, and desired to show disposition to
sustain any reasonable resolutions OF homer
and coincidence they contained, while they had
expressly agreed, prior to the vote. that they
could not sustain such Of the resolutions as at
tributed lis murder to political sentiments
and directly or indirectly fixed on the Demo-
cratic party.
We object to the last clause of the preamble
and the second and third resolutions, and feel
1t duty we owe ourselves and constituents, III
consequence of the explanatory remarks made
by some Of our friends, to enter this statement
upon the journal Signed: W. L. Field, w.
c. Keith, ]. Bryant, B. +. S.oau, Samuel Little
John.
The undersigned, having cast their votes in
the negative, with regard to the preamble and
resolution concerning the assassination OF the
ia.e James Martin, member Of the House from
Abbeville County, lest some false impressions
might be conveyed by said vote, beg leave to
state that, while they are ready and willing to
sustain any appropriate action on the part of
this House in respect to the death Of any of
it's members, and while they do heartily CO.
operate in denouncing any man, or set of men,
who would render the law insecure by taking
it into Their own hands, and perpetrating
crimes that should be condemned by all good
citizens, nevertheless solemnly protest against
the laying of the charge of the assassina alton of
Mr. Martin, either directly or indirectly. to the
Democratic ,rty Of South CaroEna, Of which
they are representatives. Signed: Claude c.
Turner John B. Moore, John Wilson, w. G.
Stewart, O. NJ. Doyle, r. NJ. Smith, W. w.
Waller.
The following concurrent resolution was in
troduced by MIR. Tomlinson:
Resolued, by the House of Representatives,
the Senate concurrin,, That the county COM
missioners of the several counties in the State
be required to report forthwith to the Attor-
the same to this General Assembly: 1st.
Whether the provisions OF sections II and u
Of an act entitled San act to define the jur:s-
diction and duties of county commissioners"
passed September %. 1868, have been carried
into effect by them. I'd. If said provisions of
said act have not been carried into effect, then
said commissioners shall report the reasons