The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-02-14

of Melton observing that If these state of affairs
| were continued and the constant changing OF
| votes (caused, as the friends of Melton openly
asserted, by friends of Murray buying up the
members were allowed, Murray would be elected,
| and endeavorcd to stop it by dissolving the
'joint assembly, both DeLarge and Elliott MAX
ing motions to that effect. The vote was put and
the shouts of those opposing and fayoring it
seemed to be about equal, and the chair an
nounccd that it was unable to decide.
GRAND TUMULT.
Upon this announcement being made there was
scene of great disorder. Every other represen'
tative and senator yelled, ''Mr President" who
recognized none, but with his gavel valnly enaca-
yored to maintain order. Several members arose
to :'points of order" Tomlinson shouted out that
it was his opinion that no "pont OF order'' could
be entertained unless the .joint assembly, was in
order, and thought that if the members couldn't
act like huntan beings, it would be best "to let
them go home' Shouts, groans and hsses greet
ted this bold remark, during which Tomlinson
contended that it was disgrace to the Gene.
ial Assembly for members to act so infa-
mously. Elliott denied that it was any
inlamy on the part Of those who were doing all
they could to prevent the putting upon the bench
of man whose friends were exercising foul
means to do so. DeLarge addressed no one in
| particular, but rushed about the House swearing
that the members were being bought to vote FOR
Murray; he knew who were doing the bribing,
and he intended to have them indicted for bribe-
ry and corruption. colored man said: "Dere's
some people says dere's bribery corruption gwne
on here; where's de bribery and where de corrup'
tlon? hain't seen none of it-han't seen none
of de gold dat dey say is being paid members to
change dere votes; l know nulln bout It,"
During all this time nearly every one was
standing, and large majority shouting "Mr.
PRESIDENT Elliott moved that q count Of the
| Joint assembly he taken. The President announc
ed eighteen senators and siXty-fve representa-.
tlves present. Swails moved that the joint assem-
bly, adjourn. The question was taken on agree
| ing to this motion, and decided In the negative
MUSCLES VS.. LUNGS.
Elliott endeayored to speak, but Corbin was de-
termined that he should not until the House came
| to order. Elliott shouted, 'Mr. President Cor
bin responded with rap OF his gavel. Now en-.
sued a contest between Elliott and Corbin-the
former to be recognized by the latter and the lat
| ter to rap down the former. The louder Elliott
shouted .Mr President" the harder and quicker
| fell the gavel. Everybody became interested in
the struggle all talking and moving about ceased,
and The only sounds heard were Elliott's shouts
and the raps OF the gavel At last, after the gavel
had fallen eighty.one times, lungs yielded to mus
cles. and Elliott sank back into his seat hoarse
and exhausted from his efforts to be heard.
Had Corbil yielded and allowed Elliott to
speak, the probability is that there would have
z no
Elliott intended dcnounclng those whom it was
believed had been bribed; and as he, when eXcit-
ed, does not mince his words, and as there
was intense feeling on the part OF the friends Of
both Melton and Murray, there was every reason
to believe that collision between them would
have ensucd.
CHARGES OF BRIBERY AND coRRUPTIoN.
The noise and confusion which had subsidized du.
ring the above contest was resumed, during
which Elliott spoke, but was not heard. Leslie
stated that it could be shown that improper In
fuences had been brought to bear to elect Muir
ray, and lie asked that q committee be appointed
to investigate. Just at this moment, Corbin arose
to announce the vote, when Leslie, doubtless
thinking that Murray was to bc announced as
elected yelled: "You are now about TO put upon
the people man whom can prove was elected
by bribery and corruptlon;" whereupon he was
greeted with groans. Kisses and shouts Of deris-
ion, and called by two or three names which are
not fit to be recorded here. Corbin asked that
the General Assembly have respect for Itself,
and that the members keep order. DeLarge
shouted that bribery and corruption hal been
used to elect Murray and he intended exposing
it. fA voice: "Yes and some OF you will he held
responsible If you do any such thng."l Another
attempt was made by Metons friends to dissolve
the '.jont assembly," but 1t failed.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE VOTE.
During all this wordy turmoil and strife, mem
bers ascended the stand and changed their votes
until Melton secured q majority and those who
heard OF it crowded around and congratulated
him. The disorder and tumult was now Mt Its
highest pitch. Corbn arose and commenced to
announce tile vote. Many attempted to prevent
him b, arising to points OF order,'' others by yei
ling Corbin read on without being heard, but the
members observing that he was determined to
declare the vote despite their efforts TO prevent It,
ceased their squabbling for a while, and Corbin
then announced the vote as follows
Mr.. 5. W. Melton received. ..GG
Mr.. j. s. Murray. -.........-...-.....4I
Mr.. T. Ii. Cooke. Observation-Disclosures.
Mr.. w. b. Earle observation-disclosures.
Mr.. {. W. Montgomery. ....................
y Coy Wingo... ......................." /
SWIloic number of votes given..... ........126
Necessary 10 a choice. .....o4