Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-12-02

assembled in front Of the State-house, from
1 the steps of which the following protest was
read in the presence of the military aud citi-
zcns
PROTEST OF THE DEMOCRATS.
/ Owe, majority Of tie 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 powers Of the United
/ States barring the passage into the State-house
Of members elect of the Legislature. Wepro-
test against the legality Of the proceeding, and
especially against the army of the United
States being placed for the purpose Of this ex-
/ cluSion under the command Of one John B.
( Dennis, partisan Of Gov Chamberlain. We
protest against the said Dennis's instructions 10
the guard to admit no one to the State-bouse
except upon his own pass or the pass of A. ..
Jones. former clerk Of the House, who may
thus exclude all except his own part!sans, and
who by the republican programme Is to orsa-
niZe said House We have presented ourselves
with the judgment Of the highest court Of
South Carolina, certified to by the clerk, with
the great seal Of the court attached as to our
right TO participate in the organization o! said
/ House We are refused by orders Of said
Dennis admission to sail hall except upon his
pass. the pass Of said Jones, or the certificate
of II. f. Hayne, Secretary of State, who is now
under condemnation of said court for refusal
10 issue certificates in accordance with its judg-
mcnt and mandate.
In protesting against this barefaced usur-
patton. this tramp!ing on the laws aud consti
tuition Of the State, this defiance Of the highest
tribunal Of the State, it is our purpose TO offer
no resistance to this armed Intervention, but
to make our solemn appeal to the merican
people without distinction ofparty. Oar ven
Grafton for law, our respect for the Supreme
Court, and the uslges Of all legislative assem-
blages forbid our participation in such uprece-
denied and revolutionary proceeding. Siga-
ell by all the democrat; members, sixty-lour
in number.
The democrats then proceeded to the hall
over the Southern Life Insurance COmpanys
building. where a caucus was held, which ad-
burned to meet at p NJ, at Carolina Hall.
THE RADICAL LEGISLATORS.
Columbia. Nov. 29.-The democratic mem
bers from Edgefeld and Laurens having been
refused admittance to the hall Of the House Of
Representatives, the republicans Immediately
proceeded 10 Organize-flty members an
swered to their names Mr. Jones. clerk Of
the old house. declared ffty-nine 70 be quo
rum. and f.. W. NJ. Mackey and n. Meyers,
colorcd were nominated for Speaker-nO dem
ocratic members having yet come into the
House. Mackey, on the coll Of the roll, re-
ceivcd ifty-seven out Of the fifty-nine votes,
and was declared the duly elected Speaker
Mackey took the chair.
In explanation Of these proceedings ii must
he remembered that the House, when full, con-
sists Of l24 members, and, SO being majority,
are a quorum for the transaction oi business.
The democrats, including the eight disputed
members from Elgefield and Laurens, have Ga
members, and the republicans only GO when all
their members are present. The democrats
claim that 63 is lawful quorum, while the
republicans claim that majority Of the mem
bers admitted by the canvassers to be elected,
viz, 1lG, is q quorum, and with their 50 have
gone to work. Mackey, on taking his seat as
speaker, delivered q speech, and the SO men,
bers were then sworn in, only one republican
; being absent A. o. Jones, the former colored
clerk, was elected and sworn in. The House,
as now organized, consists Of whites and 81
negroes.
SURRENDER OF ARAS-AN INDIGNANT BEPUB-
LICAN.
} The democratic members before they reach
} cd the door Of the State House building this
morning, surrendered all their private arms
Que Of the democratic members who bore a
certificate Of the board Of canvassers, went in
the ball and found the republicans already or
gained, with O speaker in the chair and clerk
at the desk He returned to the door, was re-
] ha :,
false imprisonment VIM. H. Reddish, a
prominent republican member, refuses 70 enter
the hall with federal bayonetS at the dor, and
now acting with the democrats.
GEN. HAMPTON ADDRESSES THE CROWD.
During the excitement created by the refusal
to admit the democrats m immense crowd had
assembled in front of the State House, when
the federal officer in charge approached Gen.
Hampton, who was in the Shte-HouSe with
a request to prevent the crowd from pushing
in Gen. Hampton Immediately appeared
upon the front steps Of the Capitol. and ad-
dressed the crowd as follows:
"Ny Friends: am truly doing what nave
done earnestly during this whole exciting con
test pouring oil on the troubled waters. 1t is OF
the greatest importance 30 Us all rs citizens OF
South Carolina that peace should be preserved
I appeal 20 you all, white men ana colOrei, az
Caroliniaus, to every effort 10 keep down yiO-
leuce or turbulence One act Of violence may
} precipitate blOOdshed and desolation. ! lmplOre
: you then 90 preserve peace. | beg all OF nv
friends TO diSperse, to leave the grounds Of the
capitol and advise all the colored men to do the
same. Keep perfectly quiet leave the streets
aud do nothing 20 provoke riot. We trust to Law
and the constitution, and we have perfect faith in
the justice Of our cause"
! The whites Immediately dispersed and their
conduct was followed by great many colored
people.
COLUMBIA, s. c., Nov % The democratic
members of the House were in secret session
all day, and did not open the doors until to =
night, when, with sixty-four legally elected
members present, holding credentials from the
State Supreme Court, they formally organized
the constitutional House Of Representatives, Of
this State The members. when the roll was
called, were sworn in by Circuit Judge Cook
When Orangeburg county was called Mr.. Red
dish, who had been elected on the republican
ticket and refused to join in the organization
of the bayonet House, came forward amidst
overwhelming applause and was sworn in.
The roll was ordered 10 be called TO see
whethe, a quorum was present, and at this
moment J. W. Westbury, colored republican
representative from Sumter. cast in his for
tunes with the constitutional House. He had
taken par in the organization Of the bayonet
House, but could not stand their lawless and
1. L..