The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1876-12-07

VI
The Democrats, including the nine disputed
members from Edgefeld and Laurens, have g.
members and the Republicans only 60 when
all their members are present. The Demo-
Gratis claim that CD is a lawtu quorum, while
the Republicans claim that q majority Of the
members admitted by the canvassers to be
elected, viz, lis, is quorum, and with their
SO have gone to work.
The Democratic members of the Legislature
have organized separately, and both the DEM
0cratic and Republican bodies met on the Goth
and adjourned until Dec. LIST, without any inl-
portant action.
$50 TIE TWO LEolsLATuREs.
There seems to have been some change in
Gen. Ruger's orders, for on Thanksgiving day
the U. s. troops offered no interference to any
ones entrance to the State House in Column
bia. At IL a. m. of that day the Democratic
legislature, which had organized at Carolina
Hall and elected WallaceSpea marched to
the State House, IS in number, and entered
the House OF Representatives. Wallace took
order. A few minutes later, Mackey, Speaker
ordered Wallace to vacate. Wallace refused,
and Mackey ordered his Sergeant-at-Armst to
remove him. Gen. Wallace ordered his Ser
geant-at-Arms to remove Mackey. Both Ser
geants came up to the S peeker's stand, backed
BY their adherents, and row seemed immin-
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, ualess removed by U. $. troops.
Wade Hampton sent the following telegram
to the President:
"Co1UMB1A, S. c., Nov. 30.--To His Excel
lency, U. S. Grant, Washington: The DEM
ocratic members Of the lower House, IS in
number, met quietly in the hall to-day, with
their Speaker in the chair. The Republicans,
50, also assembled there and placed their
Speaker in the desk. Gen. Ruger proposes to
take out OF the House eight members duly
elected, holding certificates from the Supreme
Court. The House is sole Judge OF the quail.
fcations OF its members. We propose to leave
the question to the House. These members
will remain until expelled by force, but we
earnestly desire peaceful solution. The Leg
islature will not interfere with the presiden-
tial electoral vote. We ask only the consti-
tutional Legislature, peaceably assembled Tor
the good OF the State. Very respectfully, your
'G Is;snsd sII'"0'' "wApE HAMPTON"
It is reported that the matter was laid be.
fore the Cabinet at Washington on the I'd inst.
and, though there was at first division OF
opinion, it was finally decided not to order
Gen. Ruger to interfere at present. The DEM
h1a to gen. Rage1 rs S Se
House itself, and not the military, was the
Judge Of the qualifications fthe eight disput-
ed memEers.
The Democrats are seeking to get a suffi
cient number of Republicans to join them to
make quorum independent OF the Edgefeld
and Laurens members, and they obtained two
colored Republicans OH Saturday. The Repub-
licane, on the other hand, are endeavoring to
award seats to enough contestants to give
them quorum, and, in pursuance of this pro-
gramme, they seated tour members from Ab-
beyville on Saturday.
The Republican Speaker has possession Of
the retu: us 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 a mandamua
to compel the surrender Of the returns to the
Democratic Speaker, and At last accounts this
application was being considered by the Court.
MILITARY lvTERFERENCE.
In relation to the action OF the military
Gen. Ruger sent the following telegram:
Co1uHDlA, s. C., Dec: l;-Gen; ": T. sher:
have carefully abstained from Interference
with the organization of the House from the
first. On application of the Governor, and
my own belief fer necessity therefor, for the
preservation ct peace, Iplaced troops in the
State House, but not in rooms OF the assembly
ofthe houses: On the day. Of the meeting It
SA0AS oUVut Su8t IOE tlIuo SO4OlefS were
placed on either side of the door of entrance
to the hall Of representatives under the fol-
lowing circumstances: A person at the door
OF the House, who claimed authority to ex-
anime certificates OF those claiming to lie men,
bers prior to their admission to the hall, but
who, / think, had no legal authority tor 80
doing, applied to the officer in command OF
he troops placed in the corridor ior the pre-
servatioa Of peace, for assistance. on the
ground that he was being pressed upon and
could not perform his duty. Soldiers were
placed a. stated. As soon as was informed
OF the circumstances l ordered the soldiers
withdrawn, as I had previously informed Gov.
Chamberlain should confne my action to the
preservation OF peace and should do nothing
with reference to keeping doors of the rooms
OF meeting, or tho houses or rooms them
selves, unless it became necessary, because Of
breach Of the peace. which the civil officers Of
the House should be unable to restore. No
act was done BY the soldiers, except that of
presence, a stated, but whilst they were 60
present, persons claiming the right OF en-
i trance under certificates Of the clerk Of the
Supreme Court were refused admission.
lsigned.) THOs. H RUGER,
! :. : .-, Commanding Department.
Alter the rival legislatures had assembled