The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-12-07
VOL. XII---NO. 81.

as they passed the threshold they threw
open the doors, and the whole Democratic
body marched in. All was done perfect
ly in order, no unseemly haste being OBJ
servable. They then took their seats.
The whole business was monaged 80 per-
fectly that nobody connected with the
bogus House had time to ask "Why
things were thusly ?"
About forty negro members inside
looked perfectly dumb-founded, and the
manner in which they began to wall their
eyes around created the impression upon
the minds of the reporters that they
thought judgment day had come, and
that the devil had broke loose from sUme
quarter.
Gen. Wallace, the Speaker of the law
full Legislature, walked up to the Speak
er's stand and took the chair. Col. Sloan,
the Clerk, took his position, while the
Sergcant-at-Arms remained at the door
with the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Radi-
cal body.
Gen. Hampton, about this time, ap-
preached the door, and asked to be per-
mitted to enter, but WAS refused by the
Radical Sergeant-at-Arms. This came
very near bringing about row, per-
ceiving which, Gen. Hampton declined to
press the matter, and went away.
Almost Immediately after this scene,
and before anybody had time to take a
second thought, Mackey and his Clerk,
A. o. Jones, with United States Detec-
tive Hubbard and several others, were
seen to pass the door.
Gen. Wallace called the House to Or
der, and Mackey ascended the Speakers
stand. Mackey, trembling like an aspen
leaf with excitement, with blanched face,
and gasping as if for breath, approached
Gen. Wallace, and said:
"Gen. Wallace, you will please vacate
this chair"
Gen. Wallace remained seated, and re-
piled:
81 have been elected by a majority of
the House of Representatives of South
Carolina, and was duly sworn in, in Car
olina Hall, on Tuesday, the 2Sth of No
yember instant. The constitution pro-
vides that the Legislature shall meet in
the city of Columbia, on the fourth Tues
day in November. Itmakes no provision
that the House shall be organized in this
hall. On Tuesday last, majority of the
members of the House of Representatives,
with certificates Of election, were refused
admission. They then retired to Carolina
Hall and organized, with membership
of sixty six, who, according to the con-
stitution, were duly sworn in and officer.
elected. We are here in pursuance Of
our rights under the constitution of the
State of South Carolina. We desire to
oppress no man; to deprive no man oi
his rights on this floor. We desire to
claim only the rights that belong to US,
and those rights We intend to have"
Mackey then said: II claim that
was elected Speaker Of this House by a
legal quorum OF members, legally sworn
in. We do not recognize that any other
than those sworn in here OH Tuesday last
are members of this House, and these
men who are visiting this hall without
consent must keep order. must again
demand that you, General Wallace, leave
this chair"
General Wallace replied: II have al.
ready declared that / am the legally
elected Speaker of this House, aud must
request you TO retire." -.
Mackey-The Sergeant-at-Arms will
please step forward aud enforce my
order.
General Wallace-The Sergeant.at'
Arms will please step forward and enforce
my order.
The two Sergeants-at-Arms marched
up the aisle together, and each obeyed
the orders given them 30 far as making
their appearance on the stand was con-
cerned.
Several Democrats and Radicals as.
cended the stand and stood behind their
respective leaders. Neither Mackey nor
General Wallace moved, and there was q
general crowding toward the Speakers
stand, as if all parties anticipated a row
but no row occurred, both parties hold
ing firm, and the two Sergeants-at-Arma
stood looking Mt each other like two
chicken cocks when pitted for a fig; t.
A Democratic member then moved
that committee Of six be appointed to
adjust the matter.
General Wallace thereupon appointed
Messrs. Simpson, Allen, Shaw, Gibson,
Hamilton and Grant the committee.
Mackey bawled out to his crowd to
take no notice of General Wallace, and
ordered Jones, to call the roll, which
none but Radicals answered.
Mackey asked for somebody to pray.
Thomas, a mulatto, from Newberry,
then made prayer.
Mr. Gray, of Greenville, moved that
the proper authorities be informed, that
Il band of Insurgents were interrupting
the lawful House of Representatives OF
South Carolina, and that they be removed
from the hall.
General Wallace appointed the COM
mittee of three.
Mackey here called out for all the del
egates to come forward and be sworn.
General Wallace did the same.
Nobody came forward.
Several Democrats were recognized by
General Wallace when they arose to
speak while Mackey recognized Radi-
Gals in the same way. In a few moments
a half dozen we're on the floor, all at one
| time and all speaking, addressing their
respective Speakers.
At this stage Mackey consulted Gen.
Dennis, who had been the chief cook and
bottle-washer of the organization OF
Mackey's Radical House, and sent him
with message to Chamberlain that he
was disturbed by men not members of
the House, and called upon him to send
troops to eject them-
Dennis departed smiling, which seemed
to indicate that all would be fixed to suit
him in short order.
Mackey then turned to his mob and