Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-29
The South Carolina Election.

The unexpected and very proper action OF
the South Carolina Returning Board, which
we print below secures the defeat of llamp
ton aud the election Of Governor Chamber
lain. General Hampton Of course made an
indignant address, which, though osteusibly
advising pacific conduct, may bring about
a far different state of things.
Tuesday the board Of state canyassers
made report to the Supreme Court, stating
the names of persons who had received the
highest number of votes for offices for which
they were candidates. Appended to the re-
port of results was a memorandum Of the
Board stating that in their opinion certain
irregularities which affected some of the
Republican candidates should be corrected
and also that the vote of I.aurens and Edge
field counties, which gave large democratic
maiorities, should be excluded, on account
Of frauds and intimidation Wednesday
morning the court made order commanding
the Board TO issue certificates Of election to
all persons who were shown by the report of
the Board 10 have received the highest mum
Der Of votes for members Of the legislature,
including the counties Of Edgefield and Lau-
rens. The court also took up the case Of
the electors, and issued a rule nisi on the
Board to show cause why they should not
correct the statements Of the county com
missioners by the precinct returns in their
possession. Pending these proceedings Of
the court, however the Board held session
and issued certificates to all members Of
legislature, except for Laurens and Edgefeld
counties thus securing majority Of the
legislature to the Republican side, and Sc
curing the defeat Of Hampton and the cleo
tion Of Chamberlain. The board also issued
certificates Of election to the Hayes and
Wheeler electors, and 10 all the Republican
state ticket The Board then adjourned
sine die. This action Of the Board has created
much excitement
"CoLvMBiA, :. c. November 22d, 1876
| To he people Of South Cdrolaq:
The Board Of Can,assers have by their unpre-
cedented action to-day shown not only their con
tempt and defiance Of the supreme Court Of the
state, but their utter disregard Of their official in
tegrity While grave questions determining the
result Of the recent election were pending before
the Supreme Court, composed Of three judges he
longing to the Republican party and in direct
| violation Of orders Of this tribunal, the Board
have issued certificates Of election 70 the Repub-
| lican Presidential Electors and to the Republican
state officers and have refused 10 give certificates
| to the democratic members Of the legislature,
! shown hy the returns Of this same Board to have
| been elected in the counties Of Edgehed and
| Iauren- This high-handed outrage is well calcu-
lated to arouse the indignation Of our longsuffer
/ ing people but assure them that This daring and
extraordinary act uf the Board can have no legal
force whatever appeal to you therefore in tho
fullest confidence that my appeal will not be un-
| Needed that you will maintain even under that
provocaiion your character an orderly and law
abiding people Daring the past exciting canvass
YOU have studiously avoided even the semblancc
Of a purpose to disturb the public peace, or tc
trausgress the law Your cause, and the cause oi
the constitutional government Of the country, has
been carried TO the highest court Of the state and
we are willing 10 abide by it, decision, feeling as
sured that this tribunal will see that the law
-han be enforced and justice secured.
Signed. WADE nANTroN."