The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-11-30

qufa1S COmpEed Wlth-Gredt Ere tenent
but no disturbance.
Great Excitement In the City but no Dis
turbance.
COLUMBIA, Nov. 29.-1here is intense
excitement here to-day. The Federal
troops have possession of the State House
and have refused admission to the Lau-
rens and Edgefield delegation.
At midnight the State House was occu-
pied by the Federal troops, who camped
in the rotunda, and kept the doors bar.
red. This morning GORDON of soldiers
was formed around the building, and ad-
mittance denied to all except those hav
ing passes from Gov. Chamberlain's pri-
vate secretary, W. R. Jones. The streets
of Columbia are crowded with people
from all parts of the State Quiet rigns,
but the excitement is wonderful.
No One Admitted without Pass.
No one was allowed to enter the State
House this morning unless on pass
from Mr.. Jones, Clerk of the late House,
or Mr.. Dennis, ex-Superintendent of the
Penitentiary.
About 8 o'clock Gen. Gordon, United
States Senator from Georgia, and Gen
Johnson, State Senator of Virginia, with
Messrs. Peck and Jeffrys, members of the
Legislature, demanded admittanCe to the
State House, The rotunda was filled
with soldiers and arms were stacked
around the Washington statute. Mem
bers of the Legislature showed their cer-
tificates from the Supreme Court of their
election, and the corporal of the guard
refused them admittanCe under the or
ders of Dennis, who was standing by.
All Members of the Legislature Admit
ted.
The Democratic members then met in
caucus at about 1l:l5, and proceeded in
body to demand admittance. In the
meantime Gen. Hampton had an inter-
view with Gen. Ruger, who then changed
the orders so as to allow any one passage
who claimed to be electtd d members of
the Legislature. Under this change of
orders all the members are now being
admitted slowly, as the corporal of the
guard examines their credentials. Men,
bers are 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 dele
cation from Edgefeld and Laurens at
their head, and demanded admission on
the certificates of election taken from the
record of the Supreme Court. Six sold
iers were ranged on either side of the
approach to the door, with two members
in the center.
The certificates of Edgefeld and Lau-
rens delegates being presented, were de-
cided invalid by the doorkeepers, where
upon the entire body of Democrats then
withdrew.
Text of Protest Signed by all the DEM
Ocratic Members.
They assembled in front of the State
House, from the steps of which the fol-
lowing protest was read in the presence
of the military and citizens:
"We, majority of the members of the
House of Representatives of South Caro-
lima elect, protest against the refusal to
admit us to the hall of Representatives.
We protest against the military power of
the United States barring the passage in
the State House of the members elect of
the Legislature. We protest against the
legality of the proceedings, and especial
ly against the army of the United States
being placed for the purpose of this ex-
clusion under command of one John B.
Dennis, partisan of Chamberlain. We
protest against the said Dennis instruc-
tions to the guard to admit no one to the
State House except upon his own pass or
pass of A. O. Jones, former Clerk of the
House, who may thus exclude all except
his own partisans, and who, by the Re-
publican programme, is to organize said
house.
We have presented ourselves with the
Judgment of the highest Court of South
Carolina, certified to by its Clerk, with
the great seal of the Court attached, as to
our right to participate in the organiza-
ton of said House. We are refused, by
the orders of said Dennis, admission to
said hall, except upon his pass, or pass
of said ones, or certificate of H. E.Hayne
Secretary of State, who is now under con-
demnation of said Court for refusal to is
sue certificates in accordance with its
Judgment and mandate.
In protesting against the barefaced
usurpation, this tramplin ing on the laws
and Constitution of the State, this def.
ance of the highest tribunal of the State,
it is our purpose to offer no resistance to
offer no resistance to this armed inter-
vention; but to make our solemn appeal
to the American people without distinc-
ton of party. Our veneration for law,
our respect for the Supreme Court, and
the usages of all legislative assembhges
forbid our participation in such unprece-
dented and revolutionary proceedings"
Signed by all the Democratic members
GA in number.
The Democrats then proceeded to the
hall over the Office of the Southern Life
Insurance Company's building, whence
a caucus was held, which adjourned to
meet at p. M, at Carolina hall.
Members of the Legislature
Proceed to Organize.
The Republicans Immediately proceed
ID to organize. Fifty-nine members an.
swered to their names. Mr.. Jones, Clerk
Of the old House, declared SO to be
quorum, and E. w, NJ. Mackey and N.
Meyers (colored) were nominated for
Speaker. No Democratic members hav-
ng yet come into the House, Mackey, on
he call of the roll received 81 out of SO