The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-12-21
LIEUTENANT.GOyERNOR SIMPSON.

LIEUTENANT.GOvERNOR SIMPSON.
On Friday last, after the usual routine
work in the. Senate, the following COM
acknowledgements presented by Senator
Jeter, >of Union, who asked that it be
read. Gleaves, contrary to general cx-
tpectation, directed the reading clerk to
read the paper for the information of the
Senate. He had refused on another oc-
casion to allow a message from the Con-
stitutional House of Representatives to
be read, and the Democrats supposed
that he would. act in Il. similar manner
towards Lieutenant-Governor Simpson.
But different programme had been
agreed upon by the Radicals, and when
the communication of Simpson had been
read, Swails moved that it be referred to
the committee on the Judiciary, with in
structions to report as soon as practical
BILE. This motion was adopted, and the
paper was so referred. The intentions Of
the Radicals were not 80 apparent, but it
is believed that the committee will either
bury the paper itself and leave the whole
matter iinadjusted go far rs they are con-
cerned, or they will report that Simpson
is only a'private citizen, and is not enti'
tied to recognition as the Lieutenant
Governor, while claiming at the same
time that Gleaves was duly elected, and
is the rigbtful presiding officer of the
Senate. The latter course is the most
probable, and in that event Lieutenant
Governor Simpson will notify the Scna-
tors. under the provisions of the Consti.
tuition, that he is ready to organize the
Senate, and will invite them to meet him
for that purpose. 1t is not required that
a quorum shall be present at the organi.
zation of the Senate, and while the Dem
ocratic Senators will respond to Simpsons
invitation, it is expected that the Radicals
willremain in the Senate chamber with
Gle:ves. The seats Of thos' who refuse
nr neglect to meet Lieutenant-Governor
Simpson will be declared vacant, and
writs of election will at once be issued to
fill their places in the Senate. This pro
gramme will be carried out, in case the
judiciary committee attempt to stiae the
communication Of COL Simpson, and in
either event the duty of organizing the
Senate anew will devolve upon the Lieu.
tenant.Governor at an early day, as it is
improbable that Whittemore, Swails and
Gleaves will voluntarily consent to an
abdication of their ill-gotten power in
the present organization. Col. Simpsons
letter is as follows:
COLUMBIA, S. c., Eec. Is, 1876.
To the Honorable the Senator's Of South
Carolina:
have the honor of informing the Sen
,itors that Yesterday, 18th December, m
slant, the election returns for Governor
and Lieutenant were opened and pub
lished by the Hon. w. H. Wallace,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
in the presence of the members of the
House and Senators, that Wade Hamp-
ton, having received majority of the
votes cast for Governn and w. D. Simp-
son, having received majority of the
votes cast for Lieutenant Governor, we
were declared duly elected to the offices
respectively. That thereupon His Elk
cellency Wade Hampton was inaugu-
rated as Governor, and the oath of Office
was administered to him. And was in
augurated as Lieutenant Goyernor-then
and there taking the oath prescribed in
the constitution. Under the provision of
the constitution I am er o6fcio President
of the Senate, and ain entitled to the
privilege of presiding over that body
when present. The law making power
of the State is by virtue of the constitu-
ton vested in the General Assembly, to
be composed of the Senate and House
Of Representatives, organized according
to its provisions.
The two houses together compose the
GeucTai ASScmoly, aiu eaeH 10 oA 'i
tegral part thereof
The Supreme Court of this State, the
court of last resort, has decided that the
body over which the Hon. w. H. Wallace
presides as Speaker is the constitutional
House of Representatives, and conse'
quently it must be portion of the Gen
eral Assembly. Such being the case, |
respectfully submit that it is the duty Of
the Senators composing the Senate to
unite with the House and thus organize
the General Assembly. Should this
union take place and the Senate thus
form part of the General Assembly, the
legislative power Of the State will be in
full action.
respectfully announce to you that, as
Lieutenant Governor, am present in
the city of Columbia, and am prepared
to discharge the duties of your presiding
officer, which devolve upon me under the
provisions of the constitution, and here
by claim the right Of taking my seat as
President of the Senate. With great re-
spect your obedient servant,
w. D. SIMPSON.
Lieutenant Governor, er c6fcio President
ofthe Senate.