Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1876-12-07
Situation at Columbia.
From Special to the Cincinnati Gazette.

AOnl W lut GdZclte.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Dec. 4.
1t is estimated that 6, 200 men are in
this city armed to the teeth. 1t was
understood yesterday that a posse of
constables were to enter the hall of Re-
publicans to-day and eject the interlop-
ers. The Democrats were thoroughly
alarmed at the report, and during last
night were sending kilograms to many
parts of the State to the Captains of the
rife clubs to bring their clubs on the
first train, armed and equipped. The
progra mme, on the part of the State
COnstabulary, was to proceed in q
body, two hundred strong, to the State
House, enter the hall, and proceed to
eject the sO-called members from Edgee
field and Laurens, who had not even a
certificate from the Supreme Court.
This constabulary was composed of 200
white men, who were selected for their
peculiar fitness-cool, brave and deter
mined men. AS soon as the Democrats
found that Governor Cham berlain real
ly intended to eject these Edgefeld and
Laurens men, they concluded that the
best thing that they could do was to 60
out quietly, notwithstanding their
solemn assertions that no civil author
ity could make them bulge from the
seats they had so arrogantIy taken pos
session of few days ago. In accord.
ance with their resolve, when the Dem
ocratic Clerk finished the roll-call this
morning, the bogus Speaker, Wallace,
arose and stated that a Constabulary
force had been organized for the pur-
pose OF eJectlng certain members of this
House from the floor, and that this
force was under the authority of the
Governor, and if this authority is not
obeyed the military would be brought
into requisitiOn, in heinterest of peace
and to prevent bloodshed, he urged the
Democrats to retire to another hall.
The statement that the military was
to interfere is absolutely false, on the
contrary, Gen. Ruger informed Gov.
Chamberlain that when the Constabu-
larry should enter the State House, the
military would withdraw from said
building. The interlopers filed out of
the Hall accompanied by Democratic
members-elect, and adjourned to Caro-
lima Hall, where they held a secret
session.
The regular body also held secret
keep coming in, carrying their arms
openly. Several of these rifle clubs are
stopping at the hotels, where they have
their arms stacked. The majority of
them, however, are encamped on the
the Fair Grounds.
When Gov. Chamberlain left the Ex-
ecutive Chamber, this afternoon, for
his residence, it was feared by his
friends that he would be assassinated,
as threats TO that effect had been fire.
quently made during the day. Capt.
Anderson. of the United States army,
accompanied him.
Tonight, the scenes in the streets are
indescribable. Thousands of those red
shirted rebels are parading the streets,
filled with bad whiskey, and shouting
for Hampton, and making their usual
threats against all Republicans.
COLUMBIA, December 5.-This morning
troops were withdrawn from the doors and
entrance to the State House, and their places
supplied by special constables acting under
the orders of Gov. Chamberlain. A large
number of special deputy sergeants- -at-arms
were enrolled and placed at the doors of the
Senate and Republican House. Troops are
still retained in the State House for the pur-
pose OF protecting the Governor, aud sentl-
mel PAGES the corridor in front of Gov. C.aam-
berlaiR's Office.
The Senate and House in joint session, af-
ter the passage of concurrent resolution, met
and canvassed the vote for Governor and
Lieut.. Governor. The counties of Edge6eld,
which gave Hampton over 5000 majority,
and Laurens, which gave him over 100 ma
jOrity, were previously thrown out, when the
Democratic Senators retired from the hall.
After the returns were canvassed Lieut. Gov
Gleaves, colored, and Speaker Mackey de-
clared Chamberlain elected by 4,044 votes.
Adjourned.
1t is expected that Chamberlain will be in
augurated to morrow.
The Hampton House has been in session
all day. Their action was unimportant
Hampton spoke this afternoon, declaring that
he intended to be Governor
In the Supreme Court the argument on the
quo warranto proceedings requiring the Hayes
electors to show by what authority they ex-
ercise the functions of their office will be
heard tomorrow morning. The electors meet
tomorrow