The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-04
TIE CRISIS In THE SOUTH.
A CRITTCAL STATE or AFFAIRS IN
THE PALMETTO STATE.
A Threatened Move by Csamberia,n tina, NAV


A Threatened Move by Cbap,beriein that NAV
Bring o. n toIiision-Tbe Democrats De-
termined TO Lesaiiy Maintain their Rights
COLUMBIA, Dec. 3.-The situation tonight
remains unchanged. Both Houses pnssed the
day In possession OF the hall OF Represent tatives
Beyond adIourning before IL o'clock and reas-
sembling at noon they transacted no business,
and the members passed the day quietly. The
religious exercises which had been announced
were dispensed with, and during the day the
hall was comparatively quiet. But few visitors
were admitted, even members Of the press In
number Of instances being excluded. The
Fedt raj troops still garrison the State House,
tho doors Of which are kept locked.
A visitor seeking entrance nrst knocks
at the door, A private Of tho army
opens It, and decides whether the appli-
cant Is a member OF the Legislature. II not,
whether he Is entitled for any other reasons 20
enter. Having passed the first sentinel and sew
efal others who face the corridor around the
statue Of Washington, the applicant passes uu-
der the scrutiny 81 second sentinel Alter
successfully passing the second ordeal he is
compelled to run the gauntlet Of one white and
three black doorkeepers, the appointces Of
Mackey. These are for the most part ino1ora.
ble. aud the most distinguished gentle
men are excluded. provided they do not
POSSESS the friendship Of the sable
Sergeant alarms. This condition OF Affairs Is
caused by the fact that when the Denooratc
House entered the hail 1t was In charge OF the
Republican doorkeeper ana while they occu-
pied the other positions he retained chhce ot
the door. No attempt has been made to dis
pl ce hlill' as the Democrats aver tnhI thry are
gaining ground sufficiently without incurrinr
tho tisk ~ "A coilision IL any sbouId emma thav
Will tie found acting on the defeusiye and within
the pale OF the law
=, ., -, o,,. -,
threatened to eject the Democrats by the State
,,.,.,,t.s. .,d .,. .o,.t,,, ,ho -a,t. ,n,
80 Nf''
sucl All attempt Is illegal ana VIII be resisted 10
-, = ,,. - ,i,,
oi tue 'n'teu stats can u'spe'se '"o 'ot"i' ""u
organized House Of Representatives Of South
e. rnlino The Democrats further claim that no
state 'onstipulhrS eAlsts' even u "s "Vt'oh vi
the premises were authorized 10y law. The
ccper,I .,a,u,ss nr,vida that ,here hail no an
s'"s'', ,'"'"''e '''''N' '"a' '"' ''' ~ W.
Senate an officer TO be named and deaignated
the Chief Constable Of the State. VINO with his
deputies shall exercise ali the common law and
statutory mowers OF cOn=tables, and obe. and
10 tue uros.ryatfOn ~ the public peace and the
execution Of the Laws throughout the state.
The law was enacted dunng tine times Of the
Ku-kluX and the agents employed have been
50 unscrnpulous thAt the Legislature repealed
the act. Substantially, hy mistake. IN compiling
the statute the Old law was 7, Enacted. Tho
flici was vacant until last summer. when the
Governor appointed J. =. Low. chief Cons able,
with deputies. to prevent Moses and Whi.per
from attem pting TO take their seats as Judges.
The appointment has never been confirmed b.