Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-07
A dispatcb signed by senator Gordon, Of

Georgia, Senator johnson, of Virginia,
General Wade Hampton, several Circuit
Judges, aslarge number OF State Senators,
Representatives, white and black, and many
other prominent citizens, was sent to the
President, ON the 28th, protesting against
States troops being placed under the
of Gov. Chamberlain. The signers
say that they shave no objections to the
presence of troops, and will cooperate with
them in preserving the peace, but we pro-
test against the use Of the United States
army in controlling the organization Of the
and enforcing the inauguration
of Governor Chamberlain, who has been de-
feated by the white and colored voters at
ballot-box." The signers furthermore
that 'tnot one drop of blood has
been she'd in any political disturbance ex-
cept by the Republicans, and it is literally
true that the Democrats received their
greatest majorities In the counties where
the United States soldiers were stationed.
We refer for confirmation of these state
ments to the commander of the United
States forces at this place, and elsewhere in
the State.'
MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE.
Gen. Ruger arrived at Columbia at 10
O'Clock on the night of the 9th, and at mid
night three companies of infantry were
quartered in the State house. No one was
allowed to enter the building unless bear
ing a pass from Mr.. Jones, Clerk of the late
House, or Mr.. Dennis, ex-Superintendent
Of the Penitentiary. About 8 O'Clock
Messrs. Beck and Jefferys, members elect
of the House, accompanied by Gen. Cor
Io1 TI-;%ol TAotnr onoHo. Ano-o oor-s
and Gen. Johnson, of Virginia, ap-
piled for admission to the Sta te-house,
the two former presenting certificates
from the Supreme Court Of their election as
members of the House. The corporal of
the guard, under orders from Dennis, re-
fused them admittance. Gen. Hampton
subsequently had an interview with Gen.
Ruger, who changed the order so as to al
low all to pass into the rotunda who claimed
to be elected members of the Legislature.
About IL O'Clock the Democratic members
held a caucus, and Immediately proceeded
in a body to the State-house. ArriYedt there,
the Democratic members Of the House,
headed by the delegations from Edgefeld
and Laurens, presented themselves at the
door of the House and demanded admis-
sion on the certificates of election taken
from the record Of the Supreme Court.
Six soldiers were ranged OF either side of
the approach to the door, with two officers
in the center. Certificates of the Edgetield
and Laurens delegates being presented,
were decided invalid by the doorkeeper,
whereupon the entire body of Democrats
withdrew. They assembled in front of the
State house, from the steps Of which the
following protest was readin presence of the
military and citizens:
COLUMBIA, S. c., Nov. 2S.-We, a majority of
the members of the House of Representatives of
South Carolina elect, protest against the refusal
to admit us to the Hall of Representatives; we
protest against the military power of the United
OF members-elect of the Legislature; we protest
against the legality of the proceeding, anu espe-
cially against the army of the United States be-
ing placed for the purpose of this exclusion, I'M
der the command of one John B. Dennis, a
partisan of Gov. Chamberlain, We protest
against the said Dennis's instruction to the guard
to admit no one to the State house. except upon
his own pass, or a pass of A. . Jones, former
Clerk of the House, who may thus exclude all
except his own partisans, and who, by the Re-
publican programme. is ITO organize said House
We have presented ourselves with the
south Carolina; certified to By is
Court attached, as to our right to participate in
the organization OF said House. We were re-
! 1uSeu, Dy orders OF SalU Dennis, ADMISSION 10
said hall, except upon his pass or a pass of said
Jones, or certificate of H. +. Hayne, Secretary
OF State, who is now under condemnation of said
Court for refusal to issue certificates in &C
cordance with its Judgment and man
date. In protesting against this barefaced
usurpation, this trampling on the laws and Con-
~stitution of the State, this defiance of the highest
tribunal of the State, it is our purpose to offer
no resistance to this armed Intervention, out to
make our solemn appeal TO the American people
without distinction of party. Our veneration
| for law. orr respect for the Sunrpma tODrt and
the usages of all legislative assembiages, forbid
our participation in such unprecedented and re-
evolutionary proceedings.
lSigned by all the Democrats, sixty four in
number.J
The Republican members ELECT of the
House assembled and organized, Mr.. Jones,
Clerk Of the old House, having declared IS
to be a quorum. E. w. Mackey.was elected
Speaker, and o. A. Jones, colored, Clerk
The House as organized comprised 30 ne.
groes and four white men.
The Democratic members elect of the
House, GA in number, together with tive
Republicans, met at Robinson all ant
were sworn in by Judge Cook, and an or.
ganization effected.
h Republican House, on the Goth, seat
ed five colored contestants to the seats fol
Barnwell County, for which certificates haC
previously been given to the Democrats b,
the Board of State Canvassers and the Sec
rotary Of State. This was done by a vote O
45 to IA, protests being entered by TIVE
members, as the Democrats were not awar,
of the contests, and the seats were accorded
on testimony which was er pdrte
The Democratic House received the repor
of the committee appointed to obtain return
from the Secretary of State for Governo,
and Lieutenant Governor. TIL committe,
reported that the Secretary had SURRENDERED
the returns to Mackey, Speaker of the Re,
publican House. The Democratic Senator
protested against any recognition of tn.
Republican House, on the ground that i
was Illegally constituted. The military
still garrisoned the State -houae.
The Democratic members of the Hous.
proceeded In a body to the house OF
the morning of the 3Oth, and again demand
ed admission, Gen. Ruger having informed
Gen. Hampton and Others. as alleged. tina