The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1876-11-29
REPORT.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
An Appedf 10 Chief Justice Waite

''The board of state canvassers, COM
mitted for contempt by the Supreme
court of the state, have been taken from
the sheriff by order of the u. s. circuit
jndge, on a writ of habeas corpus. A
contest of jurisdiction arises, and the
issues are grave. We earnestly appeal
to you to preside in court on Wednes-
day, the 29th, at 10 a. m., to hear the
case, or if you will appoint day when
you can attend, we will apply for
postponement. Signed: J. ID. Connor,
Leroy +. Youmans, Bradley 7. John
son, E. w. Morse, John I. Rhett,
COUNSEL -
Mr.. Waite replied that the business
of the Supreme court required his pres
ence in Washington.
The Days Proceedings.
At midnight the state house in Co.
lumbia was occupied by federal troops
who camped in the rotunda and kept
the doors bsirred. This morning a
guard of sentinels was formed around
the building, and almittance denied to
all except those having passes from
Chamberlain's private secretary, w. r.
Jones.
The streets of Columbia are crowded
with people from all parts of the state.
Quiet reigns, but the excitement is in
tense. About O'Clock Gen. Gordon,
U. S. Senator from Georgia, and Gen.
johnson, a state senator from Virginia,
with Messrs. Peck and Jeffrey, members
of the legislature, demanded admit
tance to the state house. The rotunda
was filed with troops and arms were
stacked around the Washington statue.
Members Of the legislature exhibited
their certificates from the Supreme
court of their election, and the corporal
of the guard refused them admittance,
under the orders of Dennis, who was
standing by. The Democratic members
then went into caucus, and about Ills
a. m. proceeded in a body to demand
admittance. In the meantime Gen.
Hampton had an interview with Gen.
Ruger, who then changed the orders so
as to allow any one to pass the senti-
nels who claimed to be elected members
of the legislature. Under this change
of orders all the members were admit
ted slowly as the corporal of. the guard
examined their credentials. The men,
bers were thus admitted to the state
house but not to the hall of the senate
or the house of representatives.
The Democratic members of the
house, after gaining admission TO the
state house, proceeded to the door of
the house of representatives with the
delegation from Edgfield and Laurens
at their head, and demanded admission
on certificates of election taken from
the records of the Supreme court. Six
soldiers were ranged on either side of
the approach to the door, with two
officers in the centre. The certificates
of the Edgfieid and Laurens delegates
being presented were decided invalid
by the door-keeper, whereupon the en-
tire body of Democrats withdrew. They
assembled in front of the state house,
from the steps of which they read a
long protest in the presence of military
and citizens. The Democrats then
proceeded to hall where caucus was
held which adjourned to meet at 3 p.
m. at Carolina hall.
The Legislature.
The Democratic members from Edge
field and Laurens having been refused
representatives, the Republicans i'm
mediately proceeded to organize. Fifty
nine members answered to their names.
The clerk of the old house declared SO
to be a quorum, and Z. w. NJ. Macky
was elected speaker. Mackey then
took the chair.
In explanation of these proceedings
it must be remembered that the house
when full consists of 124 members,
So being majority, or a quorum for
the transaction of business. The Dem
ocrats, including The nine disputed
members from Edgefield and Laurens,
have "a members, and the Republicans
only 60 when all their members are
present. The Democrats claim that
50 is the lawful quorum, while the Re-
publicans claim that a majority of the
members admitted by the canvassers to
be elected, namely, us, is quorum,
and with their SO have gone to work.
Mackey, on taking his seat as speaker,
delivered a speech, and the SO members
were then sworn in, only one Republic
can being absent. o. A. Jones. the
former colored clerk, was reelected
and sworn in. The house, as now
organized, consists of 8 whites and "a
negroes.
The Democratic members, before
reaching the door Of the state house
this morning, surrendered all private
arms.
A Democrat, who had certificate of
the canvassing board, went into the
hall and found the Republicans organ
lied, with a speaker and clerk. He
attempted to pass out but was pre-
vented, until he threatened prosecution
for false imprisonment. ~
Reddish, prominent Republican
member, refuses to enter the hall with
federal bayonets at the door, and now
acts with the Democrats.
Hampton's Hdrangue.
Gen. Hampton, at the request of the
federal officer commanding, addressed
the excited crowd which had assembled,
and said:
My friends-I am truly doing what
have done during this whole exciting
contest pouring oil ON troubled waters.
1t is of the greatest importance to us
all, as citizens Of South Carolina, that
peace should be preserved. appeal to
you all, white mensand colored, as Car
olinans, to use every effort to keep
down violence or turbulence. One act
of violence may precipitate bloodshed
and desolation. implore you then ia
preserve peace. 1 beg all my friends
to disperse, to leave the grounds Of the
capitol. and I advise all cOlored men ia