The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-11-05
his Commission

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kept away. Among those present were Three
thousand-dollar Corbin, II. II. d. Byron, P. ]. Coo
gan, s. Thomas, Sr., G. W. Clark, Rev. II. w
Hicks, Col. r. W. Seymour, several merchants
| and some visitors from Columbia, who were at
tracted by the recent proceedings in the august
body. The interest in the meeting OF Council was
quite lively among the outsiders, and the corners
in the vicinity were thickly peopled with anxious
constituents Of the Aldermanic magnates.
The entrance OF the Mayor at quarter-past
was a signal for general move, and when the
gavel fell the following Aldermen were present:
E..w. n Mackey, Greene, Geddings, Potter Voigt'
Cunningham and Collins, white; Howard, Nc
Kinlay, L. F. Wall, E. P. WALL Hampton, Hollo-
way, Brown and Small colored.
Council was declared ready to proceed to busi-
ness, and the Mayor stated that 1t had be n con-
vered to try the charges and specifications
against Alderman T. J. Mackey.
Alderman Geddings offered resolution that
the City Attorney be requested to be present and
to conduct the charges against Alderman T. ].
Mackey.
At this stage the Alderman in question came
in as cool and unconcerned as Ii he were not the
bone Of contention.
City Attorney Corbin, who promptly came to
the front, requested that Alderman T. J. Mackey
be called and that the Clerk read the charges and
specifications.
After the reading the Clerk was again directed
By the Codfer to demand Of Alderman T. J. Mac
key II he was guilty or not guilty.
Colonel R.. W. Seymour, who was sitting near
Alderman 7. J. Mackey, rose and stated that ne
represented the Alderman, and desired first to pro-
test against the jurisdiction Of Council in this case,
as it was already presented before higher tribu-
nal, and until that decision was rendered no &C
lion could be taken by Council
Alderman McKinlay rose to a point Of order.
and asked in what capacity Mr.. Seymour was ad-
dressing Council. On the statement being made
that he was the counsel for the accused Alder.
man McKinlay subsidized.
D.T Corbin stated that the plea against the ju-
rsdiction of Council should be presented In writ
ing.
Alderman McKinlay took issue with Mr. Sey-
mour, and argued that the power Of Council TO
try was unquestioned.
The City Attorney claimed that the assault
having occurred In Council Chamber during o
session, was Of itself sufficient to warrant the
trial.
Alderman Geddlngs offered resolution that the
plea. against the jurisdiction be overruled and
that the trial be proceeded with. This was car-
ried unanimously, when T. ]. Mackey rose and
desired to make few remarks. He Kept the
fIoor for some time, and made an elaborate
speech, quoting from authorities, and showing
that Council had not the Jurisdiction to try the
case. During this harangue Alderman Geddings
rose to a point Of order that the Alderman was
not combining himself to the question, but indulg-
ing in rhetorical nourishes.
The Mayor decided the point well taken but
though interrupted frequently, Alderman T. J.
Mackey Kept his ground, and gracefully concud-
ed his pereoration.
Alderman Geddings rose with an open book In
his hand, and said that he had learned to read
when Young, and still did SO, and commenced
quoting some authorities.
DISPOSITION TO BOLT
Alderman T. ]. Mackey interrupted him at this
noint. and warned Alderman Geddings that he
would permit no personalities, or he would use
his privilege as an Alderman, and sho" up inc
past record OF Alderman Geddlngs, and strip every
mask from his corrupt body. (At this statement
there was an evident disposition on the part ol
the colored spectators to bolt)
Alderman Holloway called for the previous
question, and Alderman E. W. NJ. Mackey called
for the yeas and nays. The question was put uiua
yoce and the plea against the jurisdiction Of Coun-
Gil decided overruled.
The City Attorney then asked that tue trial be
proceeded With, and Alderman T. ]. MacRey be
! made TO plead guilty or not guilty.
Alderman T. ]. Mackey called for the yeas and
nays on the previous question, but the Mayor put
| on the gag, and said it had been already decided
The clerk then called Alderman T. J. Mackey
who responded mot guilty. but stated that hi
was unprepared to go to trial, as he had severa
witnesses whom he desired to summon.
The City Attorney here called Alderman Volgt
to the stand.
Mr.. Seymour stated that his client was no
ready, that his witnesses were not present, ant
the case should be postponed. He made lonl
and eloquent appeal to Council, and on resumin!
his seat was applauded by the audience.
Alderman McKinlay desired to know what tim
was wanted, and was told until Tuesday next.
The City Attorney stated that Council had I'll
power to act as they chose; there was no occasion
for further time, as there were number OF wit
nessss present.
reason for demanding time, and on n.ovemen
from the City Attorney he said that he would no
be interrupted, that the case under considerable
was not for three thousand dollars, nor was it q
action against the City Treasury.
Alderman Cunningham exclaimed against til
use OF such language.
Alderman Holloway moved that the trial b.
proceeded with.
Alderman 7. ]. Mackey called for the yeas an
nays.
Alderman McKinlay moved to postpone th
trial to next Tuesday.
The Mayor stated that the motion before th'
House was to take the testimony.
Alderman 6. W. NJ. Mackey moved to adjourn
to next Tuesday, seconded by Alderman McKin
lay; and Alderman T. ]. Mackey. called for tn
yeas and nays, which resulted as follows:
Yeas-Greene, Hampton, t. ]. Mackey, E. W.
Mackey, McKinlay and E. P. Wall-6.
Nays-Barrow, Brown, Collins, Cunningham
Geddings, Holloway, Howard, Potter, Small
voigt, L. F. Wall and the Mayor-12
Alderman T. ]. Mackey then moved to lay o.
the table the motion to proceed in the trial. Th
yeas and nays being taken, the result was th
same as the previous vote.
Alderman Geddings said that ealy in the even
ing Council had requested the City Attorney +
conduct the trial, and thought that time wa
being wasted In these frivolous proceedings, an