The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-12-16
Hampton and His Leg islaiure
without Legal or Consultation.

NEW YORK, December l0.--A ImsS
special from Columbia says: 1t was un.
derstood that after the Inauguration Of
Hampton yesterday the Democratic mem
bers Of the Senate would withdraw from
the Chamberlain Legislature and 60 over
to Carolina Hall, but the opening Of the
Senate to-day found them all In their
seats as usual, and Hampton's Legislature
Is still left without an upper House. The
trouble Is they cannot agree among them.
selves as 10 the proper, course TO pursue.
Some hold that It was fatal mistake for
the Hampton men OF either House 10
withdraw from the regular Legislature,
that they should have remained where
there could be no question as to the 10:
gality Of their position, and thus gained
whatever advantage they could, had they
done this, it Ia. thought that they might
have secured tho speakership and possi-
bly have captured enough Republicans
to count in Hampton for Governor.
But as it is they have put themselves in
an absurdly false position, andithe more
closely their position Is examined, the
clearer it becomes that neither Hampton
as Governor, nor his assembly as q Leg.
islative body, has the slightest legal or
Constitutional ground to stand on. They
have involved themselves in a web
OF inconsistencies, contradictions and
absurdities. Take the inauguration Of
Wade Hampton for example. They have
all along maintained, US one Of The
grounds why Chamberlain is not legally
Governor, that he was not sworn into
Office by the Chief Justice, and yet Hamp.
ton could not get the Chief Justice or
any OF the associate Justices to admins
ter the oath to him and was obliged 10
take Mackey, an inferior Judge, the le-
gality Of whose election at all is in dis
pute, TO perform the ceremony. Then,
again, Hamptons Senators have con:
tinuously recognized the legality Of
the Chamberlain Legislature by uniting
with itin legislation and the election Of
United States Senator. By their acts this
very day they have tacitly acknowledged
that the inauguration ceremonies
we're farce. After attending 10 the swear
ing in Of Simpson and declaring him
Lieut.. Gov. yesterday, they take their
seats in Chamberlains Senate to-day and
recognize Gleaves as the legitimate Lieut..
Governor. To make their inconsistency
still more manifest they accept $500 Of
their salary as Senator's, from Cordoza,
the State Treasurer, who they say
was not elected and is not le-
gally Treasurer. 1t should be mentioned
In this connection, that Cordozl found
no difficulty in borrowing money to pay
on an installment OF the members salaries
in anticipation Of the passage Of the ap.
preparation bill, which shows that quite
rs much confidence exists here In the
legitimacy OF the Chamberlain legisla.
ture as was exhibited by the Carolina
bank In cashing drafts for Hamptona
&ssemblymen for salaries to the extent Of
Sl00 each. No one appears to know
what will be the next move OF Hampton
or his assembly, and ii Is doubtful
whether they know themselves. II their
Senators secede, as was expected, and
order now elections 10 Gil vacancies, the
regular Senators will also order elections
to ill vacancies in their body, and II the
elections take place at the same time
and are fairly conducted the Republicans
will get three to their one. It'is pretty |
certain that Judge Carpenter will decide
the injunction suit brought against
CORDOBA, to prevent his paying out
the State funds as Treasurer, aud
this attempt TO block the financial
wheels Of the State Government will fail.
Simpson the claimant to the Lieutenant
Goyernorship sent communication to
the Senate to-day, reciting that he had
been elected Lieutenant Governor, and
had taken the oath Of office, aud that he
was present in Columbia, and ready 10
assume the duties Of his Office, and re.
spectfulIy claimed his seat az the presid.
Ing officer OF the Senate. The conmu.
was presented by q Democratic
and after being read, was OH the
motion Of Republican Senator referred
to the Judiciary Committee, where It will
probably have q permanent rest, unless
Il be deemed expedient to make 1t the
subject OF report showing up the lille.
galfty and abSurdity Of Hampton and
simpsons inauguration.