The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-11-30
The Political Situation.

The political situ'eioii III t"e tiiiNS
disputed States of South Carolina, Louis
lana. and Florida is still undetermined.
Since our last issue, the Returning Board
of South Carolina, pending consideration
Of instructions asked by Democratic coun-
sci Of the Supreme Court, adjourned, Of
ter having issued certificates Of election
to the Republican Electors and members
of the Legislature declared elected-leav-
ing out the counties of Edg6eld and Lau
rens. where great frauds were reported.
The time in which the Board could sit
was about to expire, and it became ne
cessary for them to finish their work,
which they did, and adjourned without
day. The Supreme Court declared the
members of the Board in contempt, Or
dered their arrest and imprisonment and
fine each of $500. This order was
executed. Subsequently, counsel applied
10 Judge Bond of the US. Circuit Court
for a writ of habeas corpus, which was to
have been argued yesterday, the 29th.
Pending the application, the members Of
the Board were ordered into the custody
of the u. S. Marshall, and allowed their
liberty, although nominally in charge of
the Marshall In response to application
from Gov. Chamberlain, the President
ordered troops to be placed at his COM
mand to preserve peace and maintain a
republican form of Government The
Legislature met at Columbia on Tuesday.
The Republican members, with their GER
tifcates from the Returning Board, the
proper authority to issue certificates of
election, assembled to the number of 50,
and organized by the election ola Speak
er The hall was garrisoned by troops,
who refused to admit to the hall all per-
sons who did not have certificate of
election from the Returning Board, sign
ed by A. O. Jones, the clerk of the form
or house. The Democratic members pre-
sented themselves with certificates from
the Supreme Court, but were refused adj
mission, by direction Of the Marshall.
Senator John B. Gordon, of Ga, and
Gen. Bradley T. Johnson also asked ad-
mission, but were refused. The Democrats
then retired to another hall and organ
ICED, counting in the claimants from Edg-
field and Laurens, and claiming quorum
of the entire number constituting the
House. Each House will demand of the
Secretary of State the returns OF the vote
for Governor. The programme of the
Democrats is that described in another
column under the head of ''South Caro-
lima"
There were large numbers Of armed
men in the city, and fears were entertain
ed ola collision between the partizanS OF
Hampton and the q. S. troops. Gen.
Hampton made 4 few patriotic remarks,
counseling peace and forbearancc, and
advising his friends to retire from the
scene of the excitement. His counsel
was needed and peace preserved.
1t is stated that one of the first acts Of
the Legislature will be to impeach Judges
Moses and Willard, of the Supreme Court,
for their extra-judicial course in the mat
ter of the Returning Board. This would
virtually vacate these offices.
In Florida, the Returning Board mel
in session on Tuesday, and proceeded to
count the vote 1t is very close. Ar
associated press dispatch says that three
Tilden electors and one Hayes are elected
We placeno faith in this statement, because
of the source The dispatches. from the
agents of the associated press, have beer
partizan and inaccurate throughout the
entire excitement, since and even before
the election. We received no specia
dispatch up to going to press.
In Louisiana, the Returning Board il
counting the vote as rapidly as possible
Affairs are peaceable in New Orleans,
the Democrats, however, are still qulb
bling about legal technicalitleS for the
purpose of obstructing the work of the
Board. OF course We can arrive at nc
certain conclusion, amid all this excite
naent and conflict, as to the result. We
believe, however, when everything is sitt
ed and final vote declared, it will be II
favor of the Republican candidates in al
IF the States. The Republican elector:
in South Carolina have already received
their certificates, and therefore that State
is fairly out of the way, SO far as the Pres
idency is concerned. Unless the Demo
Gratis propose revolution, they will no
seek to reverse the action of the Return
ing Board as to the electors for Presiden
and President in South Carolina.
BAGGAeECARB BURNED. baggage