Evening star., 1876-12-02
The Cabinet Meeting Yesterday.

THE SITUATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA DIS
CUSsED.
The proceedings of the cabinet al the meet
ing yesterday were principally confined To
the consideration of southern affairs, more
particularly the situation in South Carolina
TELEGRAM FROM GENERAL RUGER
was read as follows:
Gen. w. T. Sherman on The Secretdyu Of V'dr
Washington, ID. C;-I have carefully abstain
ed from interference with the organization Of
the House from the first. On the application
of the governor, and my own belief for the
necessity therefor for the preservation of the
peace, placed troops in the State House. but
not in the rooms of the assembly of either of
the houses on the day of the meeting 1t
came about that for a time soldiers were
placed on either side of the door at the en-
trance 10 the hall OF representatives, under
the following circumstances: A person at
the door Of the house, and who claimed aIl-
thOrity to examine the certificates of those
claiming to be members prior to admission
10 the hall, but who, think, had no legal au-
thOrity for so doing, applied TO the officer in
command OF the troops placed in the corridor
for the preservation OF peace, for assistance
on the ground that he was being pressed upon
and could not perform his duty. The soldiers
were placed as stated. AS soon as was fully
informed of the circumstances, / ordered the
soldiers Withdrawn, as i had previously in
formed Governor Chamberlain that / should
confine my action to the preservation of the
peace, and should do nothing with reference
10 keeping the doors OF the rooms OF meeting
of the houses or the rooms themselves, unless
il became necessary because of a breach of
the ps ace which the civil officers Of the houses
should be unable to restore. No act was done
by the soldiers except that of the presence as
stated, but whilst they were SO present per-
tificate of the clerk of the supreme court were
refuse Il admission.
(Signed.) THOs. III. RUGER,
Commanding Department
WADE HAMPTON TO THE PRESIDENT
The following telegram, received by the
President at a late hour on Thursday night,
was also read at Cabinet meeting:
COLUMBIA, =. C., Nov. Soils ErceIlepcU
Z. s. Grant, WdShingtOn-The democratic
members of the lower house, sixty-fiye in
number, met quietly in the hall to-day, with
their speaker in the chair, The republicans
nfty-nine-also assembled there and placed
their speaker ON the desk. General Ruger
proposes to take out of the house eight mem-
bers, duly elected, holding certificates from
the supreme court. The house is the sole
judge of the qualifications Of its members.
We propose TO leavethe question to the house.
These members will remain until expelled by
force; but we earnestly desire a peaceful So
luton. The legislature will not interfere
with the Presidential electoral vote. We ask
only a constitutional legislature, peaceably
assembled, for the good ofthe state. Very re-
spectfully, your obedient servant,
WADE HAMPTON.
The rumor became very general last night
that Secretary Fish had in the Cabinet meet
ing refused TO endorse the views of Secreta-
ries Cameron and Chandler with reference to
the use OF troops In South Carolina. The
story was that Secretaries Cameron and
Chandler favored the expulsion Of the demo
cratic claimants for seats in the legislature
from Edgefield and Laurens counties, by
force, and that Mr. Fish had dissented, and
hat subsequently Judge Taft and Postmas-
ter General TyDer had concurred with Secre-
;ary Fish, which left Secretaries Cameron
and Chandler in minority. No members
OF the Cabinet, however, will impart to-
day any information on the subject
result
terday's cabinet meeting, that modified or
ders were sent to General Ruger as need not
be construed to warrant his interference
unless in case of violence. Last evening Mr.
Lamar received q telegram from General
Hampton and Senator Gordon requesting
him to inform the President that both demo-
Gratis and republicans in the legislature de-
sired nOn-interference of the military and
asked that they be so instructed. Mr.. Lamar
showed the telegram TO Secretary Fish, who
informed him that orders had already been
sent 10 that effect. Mr.. Fish also said that
Gen. Ruger never had been instructed TO in
terfere with the organization OF tie legisla-
ture.