The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-04

mittee had gone far enough in their investigation;
1t was time to show the people of Abbevllle that
If they didn't vote according to law they couldn't
be represented here. An election couldn't be
held in that county unless six or seven lives were
sacrificed He believed when Gufin signed the
paper stating that Mr.. Cothran had received
majority OF votes, he did 1t because he feared his
life would be sacrificed II he did not; If the con-
sttution did not give the Senate the privilege Of
keeping from its body the man whom it believed
was elected by fraud and intimidation, he was
willing to camp outside Of it the constitutioD) for
this special occasion.
Senator Leslie introduced the following:
Resolred, That the subject matter OF the election
in Abbevie County, for State senator, especially
at Calhoun's Mills In said county, be sent back to
the Committee on Privileges and Elections, and
that they have power to send for persons ana pa
gard to all charges or allegations OF fraud and in
timidation that took place at tnat or any otner
poll in the county.
Resolred, That the committee report to this
Senate the number Of votes cast at that and at
every other poll in that county for State senator
RESOLVED, That the committee report to the Sen
ate every fact IN connection with the leganty OF
illegallty o. the election as held at Calhouns Mills,
In regard to the organization OF the poll, and
whether there were any legal managers there or
not on that day.
Hoyt offered the following resolution:
Whereas Frauds and Irregularities and intlmi-
dation were perpetrated to such an extent, al
Calhouns Mills and other polling places, at tue
late election for senator In the County OF Able
vile, as to vtiate the election at those polls; and,
Whereas Lemuel l.. Gufin received majority OF
votes at polls where no such acts were perpe-
trated; therefore, be it
Resolved That Lemuel L. Gufln be, and he Is
hereby, declared entitled to his seat in this Sen
ate and that he be forthwith allowed to qualify
and take his seat.
Leslie desired to know of Hoyt If he wanted
the question clearly considered, and upon Hoyts
replying In the negative, said: "Oh, why not'
If we are going to down him, (Cothran,) let US do
it legally"
UHoyts resolution was then tabled.
Jnlson and CAIN (colored,) made brief remarks,
the former in opposition to Leslie's resolution,
and the latter In advocacy OF 1t and fair consid-
Grafton OF the case.
Maxwell, colored, was in favor Of Leslie's reso-
luton and spoke at length in support OF 1t, and
concluding with an answer to question from
Hoyt "who would pay the cost OF the investiga-
ton fn that the State would pay it, he would
rather it would expend 100000 than not to give
the case fair consideration.
Wright spoke at length In support OF his motion
to declare the election illegal and have new one,
and was willing to be among the number to go
and see that every one had an opportunity to vote
as he pleased; was willing to stand his chance OF
being shot and having his blood spilled.
Rainey, colored, thought 1t was high time that
some measures were taken to have the elections
in Abbeville conducted according to law. 1t was
well known that the Republicans were in ma
jority there but, owing to their being intimidated
and often murdered, they could not express their
opinion at the ballot box. An election In Abbe-
Vile was always associated, in his mind, with
murder, blood and death. 1t was time that such
things should be stopped.
Leslle,s resolution was then put to o vote and
carrled-three voting against 1t.