Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-12-04
The Situation.


About noon on Saturday there was hustle
and excitement at the door Of the South Caro-
lima House Of Representatives, which threat
cned to result III row. Two members oil the
Laurens delegation, who are democrats, had
incautiously gone out to wash their faces aud
take some refreshments Some OF the Iepub-
licans. who were on the alert for anything OF
the sort, discovered their absence, and the col
ored doorkecper was secretly informed and in
structed to refuse them admittance on their re-
turn, on the ground that they were rot men,
bers of the House. When the two democratic
members came they were halted at the door Of
House and refused admttanee. They protest
ed, swore and threatened, all to no purpose.
The black doorkoeper and his assistants were
steadiast aud memorable. A crowd soon gath
cred and great excitement prevailed. At this
juncture Speaker Wallace, democrat was not-
fed OF the situation, and he at once command
cd his doorkeeper to admit the members to
their seats. That iunctionary proceeded to the
door, accompanied by several assistants, and
short, sharp and decisive struggle took place.
The doors wero forced open and the members
rather dragged in than admitted. This ended
that excitement.
After this Tom Hamilton and w. L. Myers,
both colored members OF the Mackey Chamber.
lain House, went over to tho democrats, and
advancing to the stand, were sworn in by
Speaker Wallace. This lead to wraugle in
which Myers aud Reed, colorcd republicans,
participated. Reed was recognized as having
the floor by Speaker Mackey, and Myers by
Speaker Wallace. Mackcy ordered Myers TO
desigt Myers not regarding Mackcy as hav-
ing any authority, continued speaking. Mae
key then ordered his sergcantat-arms 10 en-
force his order, and at the Same time Wallace
ordered his democratic functionary to DO the
same in regard to Reed. Both the officials ap,
preached the members and crowd OF both
parties surrounded them. The pressure was
so great on the democratic side that Reed sub
sided. Myers proceeded, Reed replying attor.
wards.
The democrats Saturday mado an advance
along their whole line They have adopted
the policy of adheriug to the law, and pursuing
all their remedies under the law and 10 tue
courts. Accordingly, Speaker Wallace, OF
the democratic House, made q motion in the
Supreme Court against Speaker Mackcy, OF the
republican House, 10 prohibit Mackcy from
counting the vote for Governor, and requiring
alleges he is the only true Speaker. BY the
constitution it is the duty of the Speaker to
count and declare the vote ior Governor in the
prcsencc OF both houses. This new motion is
TO be heard to-day, and will result in de-
cision OF the Supreme Court as to which is the
true Speaker OF the true House. There is lit
tie doubt that the court will decide in favor OF
Wallace for that is believed to be too nccos-
sary legal and logical consequence of its uccl.
Siou in the case OF members Of the Legislature.
This will give the democrats great legal and
moral advantage. As soon as it IS made the
| banks which hold State bonds will refuse "a
acknowledge Mackey's House, and will pay 40
money on its orders.
At the same time writ Of quo Warranto was
issued against the Hayes electors. This nails
| the vote. Next Wednesday they will cast it
pendenc lite; and it the court aiterward de-
cides i! against them, at any time before the
count 10 Washington next February, the dem
ocrats will have unanswerable ground to stand
| on that it is not the vote of South Carolina,
| for the Supreme Court Of the Stale has so de-
| cided." The vote Tor Governor in Mackey's
hands, will then be rendered unlawful and the
| vote for Hayes also invalidated.
After the adoption by the Mackey house OF
| resolution posponing the counting Of the
vote until Monday, the committee on privileges
! and elections, consisting OF seven negroes, made
| report without the hearing OF any testimony
| or the least semblanoe ofaw, declaring that no
valid election was held in the counties of Edge
field and Laurens on the 7th of November, and
the resolution was at once adopted, so Laurens
! and EdgefeId are counted out, and so is Gov.
Hampton, according to this cut aud dried pro.
granmc.
c,oo,1,t;c, -, ,,l H.
postponemcnt Of the counting OF tho vote for
to get snap judgment like that played by the
State board OF canyassers. The State const-
tuition requires the vote for Governor TO be
counted and declared 10 six days from the or
ganization Of the Legislature. 1t also declares
that the Governor shall hold over until his sue
cessor is legally qualified. Now, to-day
is the sixth day from Tuesday, when the Leg
islature was organized, as the republicans claim.
They may intend to adjourn to-day with
out counting the vote, and then claim it can.
not be counted afterwards, and that Cham.
berlain must hold over till a new election is
held.
Saturday evening Mackey notified Wallace
that he (Alackey) was going to call in the State
constabuIary to remove the EdgeGeld and Lau-
rens men by force. Wallace replied that 'the
House was the sale custodian of its own order,
and neither the State constables nor militia
had any right to interfere with it. lie would
resist them with the embers Of the House
and all the force he could call to his assistance
The significance of this statement will be ap.
preciated when it is known that the sixty.
seven democrats are as determined body OF
men as live; they are trying to obey the law to
the best of their knowledge, aud they are much
puzzled in their novel position. But as plain
question Of force, when they are ordered by the |
Speaker ian old so!dier) to fight it is.readily. |
by the simplest understanding
that when such an issue is made in the State
House it will be memorable for hundred |
years.
Mackey then said that if he was resisted he |
would get the assistance of the United States |
roops.
Wallace said, ave will resist all force, with |
III consequences, until the bayonets appear.
We will not fight the United States under any