, 1876-12-18
PARLOUS TIMES.
A Rumor Current in CoIum-
bia that Hampton viii
Be Arrested.
The Charge Treason, and the
Mandate to Come from
Chamberlain.
An Undisguiscd Democratic III.
tentiou to Scoif at His
Authority.
Fruitless Search of the Demo-
cratic Congressman for
Election Frauds.
Probability that the Democrats Will
Soon Abandon the Oregon
Trick.
Alexander II. Stephens Abiures Lie Ru-
moreQ Patriotism Of Nis Poslhu-
nous Tears.
Speculation Concerning the
Belligerent Intentions
Of Malcontents.
What Senator Morton Has Gone
Home For.
The Spurious Nature Of William
E. Dodge's Recent Til
denization.
Speculation Concerning the
Belligerent Intentions
Of Malcontents,
What Senator Morton Has Gone
Home For,
The Spurious Nature Of William
E. Dodge's Recent Til
denization.
SOUTH CAROLINA.

RUMQHS.
Co1uMR1A, s. C.. Dec: 10.-Thc New York
Heratds special says: "Thc city was aglta.ed
to-day by rumors that Gov. Chamberlain was
about to arrest Hampton and Simpson With Ills
srcciai Coustabulary, on charge Of treason.
This rusMor created ripple Of excitement, and
developed the fact that such an attempt would
be stubbornly resisted. Tlle general expression
was TINT Hampton could not bo arrested by any
official Of Chamberlain, and that he would not
be permitted to submit to any arrest other than
BY soldiers Of the United States. Something Of
this sort may be contemplated, but It Is doubt
ful whether 1t will ever be attempted"
THE cON0REasMEN.
COLUMBIA, s. c., Dec. ia special to tho
New York Times says that the Houss lnycsti-
eating Committee last night concluded their Ct
forts to discover q flaw In precinct returns
which should change tho Electoral vote Is de-
clarcd by the State Board Of Canvasscrs. They
layo utterly failed to accomplish. anything in
that ltnc Of investigation, although all tho wit
nesses ttlus far examined wcro called IN tho
interests Of the DEMOCRATS. They have proven
enough, however, to open tho door for lcsitt-
mate md fair Increase Of the Republican major
ity fur both Electoral and State tickets. Tho
Democrats on tho Committee, Just before ad-
1ournmcnt last night, lad the ASSURANCE to pro-
pose thut
no FURTHER TESTIMONY
be taken here, but that the Committee t!vIle
Itself Into three aub-committecs and 20 out to
different parts OF thu State fishing for evidence.
Tho object Of this was twofold. First, to pre-
vent tho Introduction by the Republicans OF Wit
ncsses already here whoso testimony would
Increase the Republican major|tics; and, eecontI,
10 try nnd work Up evidence to offset the proofs
which they know arc to ba brought before tho
Senate Committee touching tho Intimidation,
violenrc, and murder pFacttced by rihe-c1ubs
during the Presidential campaign.
IN OTHER woRDs,
The House Committee, hayfng completely
failed in tho single purpose for whicl, they camo
here, arc now to be used as foil to tic inycsti
cations Of the Senate Committee.
Gen. Banks protested most earn-
cstly against closing the investigation
here before the Republicans had had opportu-
nifty to call a single witness, when 1t was knowa
that several bud been summoned from long
distances, and were nov in Columbia waiting to
testify. The Democratic members, after con-
sultation, concluded that they would hold
ONE MORE eEss1oN
tomorrow, after whlel, 1t is expected tlloy will
insist upon splitting into sub-eommittccs anil
going on rowing expeditions after testimony,
which IL is hoped may, 10 somc way, hc1p tho
Democrats out of tlleir dilemma.
THE STATE GOVERNMENT.
Nothing Is yet known what tho Hampton
pretended Government intends to do, They
arc divided III their councils, aud Cannot agrce
on any dcflnltc or consistent plan Of action.
The Charleston .Nt,as bcrutcs them daily Tor
their blunders, aud advises them what to do:
but its adylro gees :uuhccdcd. 1t IL an
nounced that Simpson will soun moys to gct
possession Of tho Lieutenant. .Goyctnorshtp by
writ of quo warranto. Meantno the regular
Government goes on smoothly, ana cvery .!ay
tends to increase tho strength Of Its legitimacy
aud stability In tic Intnls Of tho people.
A CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION.
Tho question is sometimes asked what tlmo
did Gov Chamberlain assume the olllco OF Coy
ernor BY nrtuo Ut his last election, aud whether
he Is recognized ut Washington u Governor
elect or as Governor holding over.
Tho Constitution Of South Carollna
does not desgnato any specific day
when a new Governor stlall tako his scat,
hut provides that the existing Governor shall
hold osilso Until a successor Il duly qualified.
1t makes tic Legislature tho canyasscss Of tho
vote for Governor, anl, after they Lave de-
cIaret1 who Is clectcd, tho Inauguration
may take place whenever 1t Is convenient.
The Legislature II required TO convene On tho
last Tueslty OF November. T4is year 1t con-
vcncl the 2Sth OF t!,at mouth cauyassol the
votes. declared Chamberlain elected, aud ho was
inauguratrd Dec. T. Tho Constitution las becn
strictly complied with at every step, aud Cham
bcrlatu Ia now Governor, serving hls second
term.
OILY NEGRO nu1cuEHEp
A negro Wa murdered on u passengcr-eas
coming from Augusta to this place Friday, aud
this body tumbled out Into tho ditch. Three or
four white men were engaged IN tue deed,
and tho psctenso wxs that ho uscd proiano
language In thu preaeuca Of the wto Ut
Que Of the whlta,men. a drummer front New
York waa In the car at tue time, aud gave tho
facts TO tho LMtoa-litrall hero. lIc SAYS I'D
heard no proiane language used by the negro,
although he sat between tho ~nrgro aud tho
lady, and It IL suspected here that the negro
WAS 4 WITNESS
Gu bis way here 10 testify before tho Senate