The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-02-11
FROM THE STATE CAPITAL.
THE CITY ELEoTIoN CASE
Debate ON COrbfn's Bill.

ID II ~ L II II II " / - y A S II
Debnte on Corbin's Biz.
lFRoM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.
COLUMBIA, 8. c., February 9, 1869-IN THE
SENATE, to-day, there was but little prclimi-
nary business. After the usual calls for petit
tions, &C., the President announced the arrival
OF the hour for the consideration Of the spe-
cial order. to wit (: A bill to confirm ond de-
clare valid the recent election of Mayor and
Aldermen of the City of Charleston.
On motion Of swails, the majority and mi
nority reports were taken up for consideration
On motion, the memorials of the citizens OF
Charleston for and against the bill were read
The bill received its second reading, and was
taken up for consideration by sections.
Hayne, Of Marion, was the first speaker. He
spoke as follows:
1fr. President and Senatoys-I rise to ad-
vocate the passage OF the bill. The act passed
at the special session of 1868 to provide for til a
election of officers Of Incorporated towns and
cities, makes it obligatory on the Mayor and
Aldermen to declare the election. This the
Acting Mayor and Board Of Alder men of The
City Of Charleston failed to do, and were at
last compelled to declare it by the Supreme
Court by writ Of n1a7adan1us. BY this COM
pulsory declaration, they declare that Gilbert
Pilsbury and his Aldermen received the largest
number Of votes but still the Acting Board Of
Aldermen refuse 10 surrender the offices to
their rightful claimants. What is the cause of
this refusal A protest from the opposing
candidates, g, claiming that the election was
was not done until the vote was
made known tho day after the oectlon.ss 1t
III becomes the Democratic party to ever men
ton the word fraud. We need not go back
any further than this very election It is we'll
known to every one who has ever seen the list
Of voters in the City OF Charleston, that the
Republican party is largely in the majority
What is therefore the cause OF so small ma
jorty for Mr.. PlllsDury, If it is not mere fraud
and bribery. Over five hundred men were kept
away from the polls on account of threats and
to keep, away from the polls. Others were
drugged and every means conceivable used to
defeat the election OF tho Republican candi-
dates and through all this they were elected
were committed at the polls by the Democratic
party. These can be proved. The Republican
tickets were counterfeitcd at the polls. On
these counterfeits were the names of the op-
posing candidates. This was but one Of the
many mean tricks to which the Democratic
party reSOrtCd.
The Acting Board of Aldermen, taking adj
vantage OF their situation and position, advan-
tage OF the confidence reposed in them as SER
wants OF the people, openly oppose the will of
the people and refuse to vacate their Seats
Many wonder at this conduct. The Democrats
say it is not us. but the Republicans. They
have been appointed to these positions by the
military and not by our choice. AS one OF the
senators often remarked ''there is rat in the
meal which desires to destroy the whole bag.
The Acting Mayor is o wholesale grocer, and
furnishes the city with supplies. One Of the
Aldermen is lumber merchant. He supplies
the city with lumber. The other, tho Chairman
OF the Finance Committee, forms trio, or a
ring, which forms the opposition to the Mayor
and Aldermen elect.
To vacate their positions would prove detri-
mental to their interests. In this case. as IN
der under their feet for their own aggrandize-
ment. 1t is nearly four months since the cleo
tion was held. and the r1ghtful claimants are
kept out Of Office. The court has decided al
and the law says their decision shall bo bind
ing upon all partiers. Still they refuse and
desire the claimants to appeal to the superior
courts for quo aoarrelnt0. This is the time
it was the first instance where parties refused
to surrender the Office to the righttul owner it
might be left further to the courts.
tsr s o as his masno very the Regis
joint vote Of this General Assembly, is
compelled to sue out quo s00srdnto before he
can obtain his Office. am in favor of ejccting
these people, who act in defiance of tho laws,
must let them know that law and justice must
prevail; that tyranny and usurpation shall not
be countenanced; that the will Of the psople
shall be regarded. AS servants of the people
Thursday senator said it was not right 10 ap-
peal to party. I should like to ask ii the Re
construction acts, which gives the senator's the
right to seats on this floor, and their constitu-
ents who sent them here the right to voto, was
not party measure; and but for this party
measure o majority of us would not be here to-
day, the senator himself not excepted.
Was not thesevery acts denounced as uncon-
and howl about this bill as being unconstittl-
mona!. II Afuse by your votes TO-DAY to pass
this bill, and in every instance where the Re-
publican party are successful by small majorl.
ties, the other side will contest their seats In
q few years you will not be able to boast Of
two-thirds maj orlty, but viii be contented to
get third. would ask If there s not pro-
test before the Election Committee from the
Democraaslc candidate sfrom Marion County,
contesting my seat. Like that very case it cannot
be proved. One Of theiz rallying committees
was bold enough to tell me il certain poll had
been attended to they could have carried the
election.
It is said in Charleston that this Legislature
can be bought for price, and low price at
that A few days ago, while in the city,
learned that certain men were pledged to de-
feat this bill, and the remark was made that
they were we'll faid tor so dong. Itthere arc
Judases among us, letus find them out before
they sell our lives for thirty greenbacks.
senator has offered me bribe, butlt was SPUN
ed with Indignation, and should another at
tempt be made will expose him.
Maxwell followed III support Of the bill, dis
claiming all factious ana partisan feeling, but
abusing the Democrats as having lied and
sworn to override the will Of the people. After
the declaration OF the Mayor ana Aldermen OF,
the votes cast. he could not do other wise than
support the bill. 1t was only an act OF simple
justice, an exposition of the popular voice.
Men were starving IN the streets OF Charles
ton who ha1 been ostracised because OF their
devotion to their country, it's liberties and
laws. Pillsbury and his Aldermen we're duly
elected and the bill should pass.
Rev. r. H. Cam followed Maxwell, and said Il
Mr.. President and Ssaasoss--I regret ex.i
ceedingly that tbis question Is forced upon this
General Assembly. II regret 1t tho more be-
the peace, quiet, cora1nercia,, agricultural aud
social relations and happiness Of those who
are Immediately connected with the operations
Of The election in the contest which has been
The courts, those legitimate tribunals to which
Z think II belongs 20 settle this question, would
have had the settlement OF it,, and that the
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