River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-12-07

publlcans. IL Is literally true that the Demo-
Gratis received their greatest majorities IN
counties where United States soldiers were
stationed. What pretense, therefore, is Gov.
Chamberlain's demandf Tor troops to keep the
peace. We refer for confirmation OF these
I statements to the commander of the United
States forces at this place and elsewhere the
State.
The imprisoned returning board were
brought before L. 5. Justice Bond, on the
9th, on a writ of habeas corpus, and the case
was set for hearing on the 29th, the board in
the meantime being at liberty. The Demo-
cratic counsel telegraphed Chief Justice Waite
asking him to hear the case on Wednesday,
the 18th, but he declined.
MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE.
! L. S. troops took possession OF the State
House at midnight of Monday the 9th and ON
the morning OF the 2Sth would only admit
passes from W. K. Jones, Gov. Chamberlain's
private Secretary. Later in the day Gen.
Ruger allowed all who claimed to be men,
bers of the Legislature TO enter the State
. House. The Democratic members with their
Supreme Court Credentials then entered and
proceeding TO the House of Representatives
found the door guarded by six soldiers.
1 The Edgefield and Laurens members were at
the head OF the Democrats and they being re-
fused admittance all the Democrats with
drew, and proceeding to the State House
steps adopted a protest, which was signed by
Z sixty-fve.
The Republican members OF the House, 50
in number ia colored and white) met and
elected Z. W. Mackey tcOloredl speaker, and
perfected an organization.
The Democrats, includingthe nine disputed
members from Edgefield and Laurens, have GA
members and the Republicans only 60 when
all their members are present. The Demo-
Gratis claim that 60 is a lawful quorum, while
the Republicans claim that a majority of the
members admitted by the canvassers to be
elected, viz, lis, is quorum, and with their
90 have gone to work.
The Democratic members of the Legislature
have organized separately, and both the DEM
Ocratic and Republican bodies met on the Goth
and adjourned until Dec. LIST, without any inn
POrtant action.
THE TWO LEGISLATURES.
/ There seems to have been some change in
zen. Ruger's orders, for on Thanksgiving day
I the L. 5. troops offered no interference to any
ones entrance to the State House in Column
bia. At 10 a. IN. of that day the Democratic
legislature, which had organized at Carolin
Hall and elected Wallace Speaker, marched 4
the State House, 90 in number, and entered
the House of Representatives. Wallace took
the Speakers chair, and called the House to
order. A few minutes later, Mackey, Speaker
OF the Republican legislature, appeared and
ordered Wallace TO vacate. Wallace refused,
and Mackey ordered his SeTgeant-at-Arn.s to
remove him. Gen. Wallace ordered his Ser
geaut-at-Arms to remove Mackey. Both Ser
10y then adheTents, and row seemed immin-
cnt, but, for some reason, neither Sergeant
alarms attempted to obey his orders, and no
violence ensued. Both Legislatures have since
been holding continuous sessions in the same
room, the Democrats declaring that they will
not retire, unless removed 10y L. s. troops
Wade Hampton sent the following telegram
to the President:
/ "CoLUMBIA, 5. C., Nov. SOTO His Excel
lency, u. :. Grant Washington: The Dem
Pa Fsa mon lgF- nj he Low IN
number, met quietly in the hall to-day, with
/ their Speaker in the chair. The Republicans,
/ 30, also assembled there and placed their
+ Speaker IN the desk. Gen. Ruger proposes TO
take out OF the House eight members, duly
f elected, holding certificates from the Supreme
Court. The House IS sole judge OF the quail
ticatiOns of its members. We propose to leave
the question to the House. These members
will remain until expelled by force, but we
F earnestly desire peaceful solution. The Leg
isature will not interfere with the presiden-
+ tial electoral vote. We ask only the cOnsti-
+ tutiOnal Legislature, peaceably assembled for
the good OF the State. Very respectfully, your
+ ISigned.I .swADE HAMPTON"
. 1t is reported that the matter was laid be-
I fore the Cabinet al Washington on the Cd inst.
and, though there was at first a division of
opinion, it was finally decided not to order
Gen. Ruger TO interfere at present. The DEM
Ocrats had previously sent very emphatic
House itself, and not the military, was the
Judge of the qualifications Ofthe eight disput
ed members.
The Democrats are seeking to get a sufi-
cient number of Republicans To join them to
make a quorum independent of the Edgefield
[ and LaurenS members. and they obtained two
colOrcd Republicans on Saturday. The Repub-
leans, on the other hand, are endeavoring TO
award seats TO enough contestants to give
them quorum, and, in pursuance OF this pro-
Z they seated b.
F beyville on Saturday.
The Republican Speaker has possession OF
the returns OF the vote for Governor and State
officers, and only awaits the desired quorum
to make the canvass. The Democrats have
applied to the Supreme Court for mandamus
to compel the surrender OF the returns to the
Democratic Speaker, and al last accounts this
application was being considered 10y the Court.
MILITARY INTERFERENCE.
In relation to the action OF the military
Gen. Ruger sent the following telegram:
T CoLUMBIA, :. C., Dec. Item. w. L. Sher-
man or the Secretary of War; Washington: |
have carefully abstainad from interference
with the organization az the House from the
first. On application OF the Governor, and
nv own belief fer necessity therefor, for the
preservation OF peace, placed troops in the
State House. but not IN rooms OF the assembly
Of the houses. On the day of the meeting it
came about that for a time soldiers were
placed on either side Of the door OF entrance
+ 10 the NAH OF representatives. uiiuef the iOl-
lowing circumstances: A person AT the door
4 of the House, who claimed authority to ex-
anime certificates of those claiming to he mem
hers prior TO their admission to the hall, but
who, l think, had no legal authority tor so
doing, applied TO the officer in command OF
he troops placed in the corridor for the pre-
Servation of peace, for assistance, on the
ground that he was being pressed upon and
could not perform his duty. Soldiers We're
placed as stated. As soon as | s informed
Il n
Withdrawn, as had previously informed Gov.
Chamberlain | should cOnfne my action to the
preservation OF peace and should do nothing
with reference 10 keeping doors of the rooms
90 meeting. or the houses or rooms them
selves. unless II became necessary, because OF
breach OF the peace, which the civil officers OF
the House should he unable to restore. No
act was done by the soldiers, except that Of
presence, as stated. hut whilst they were--so
present. persons claiming the right OF en-
france under certificates OF the clerk OF the
Supreme Court were refused admission.
lSiEned) THOS II. RITGER,
Commanding Department.
Aiter the rival legislatures had assembled
IN the same room Gen. Ruger telegraphed to
Washington for instructions. A Cabinet
meeting was held on the ID, and an associ-
ated press telegram saws the cabinet were di-
vided. Several members advocated sending
instructions 70 Gen. Ruger TO Dust the eight
members who hold certificates ca election
from the Supreme Court, while other men,
hers COntended that the Government had no
right 20 interfere 70 that extent-thst It was
the duty OF the federal government to simply
sustain the legally constituted authorities and
preserve peace In this view the President
greed and L was so decided.
; Alter adjournment OF the Cabinet, a tele
, gram was sent 10 Gen. Ringer. announcing
that his explanation Of the military on Tues
DAY last was satisfactory and his course was
lglly approved.
Louisiana.
/ The business OF the 9th was confined 10