The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-11-25
South Carolina.
GOVERNOR CHAMBERLAIN sUsTAINS THE
pErrIrpNING RnARn

| The Columbia IS. ca correspondent OF the
New York World telegraphs as follows:
" With the view Of ascertaininS the antm~s
OF the Board of Canvassers, your CORE
requested his opinion The Governor slls-
tains the action OF the Board, and says that
under the law, which is mandatory, it could
do nothing else but adjourn. The law says
that it shall sit ten days. The Board organ
lied on Friday the 10th at II NJ. and, omit
ting Sundays, the ten days had expired at
u NJ. to-day. The Governor says that the
Board did only its duty by certifying the
election of the Hayes and Wheeler cleo
tors and in throwing out the counties
of Edgefeld, and Laurens. The Gov
ernor does not admit the power OF the
Supreme Court to control the action Of
the Board during the time of its exist
ence, and is certain that the court has no
power to extend that time. He also insists
that the Board has not been guilty Of con-
tempt, because the court in all its proceed
ings has put no restraining order on the
Board. When. asked what would be the
effect OF the action OF the Board, the Cover
nor said that he was not certain, but thought
it might be the opening act in a large drama
in which the whole nation might be called
upon to take 4 part. When asked his opin-
ion Of the Supreme Courts action, the Gov
ernor said that he would not question its
motives, and would only say that they had
acted in & feeble and temporizlng manner.
II it had made restraining order in the first
place, such action as the Board had taken
to-day would clearly place members in con-
tempt. The following conversation then
ensued: t.,..~..,....,..,,
Correspondent: understand that United
4
Of having the matter brought before the
Federal, Court?. 49,. s.,,,.,.t ,-.d II a.,
Governor: Judge Bond is here, but for
what purpose do not know. I don't know
but that it is the intention Of Republicans
to carry the matter to the Federal Courts;
but it is my impression that any duties of
the Board affecting the election OF members
of Congress or presidential electors might
be taken up. by the United States courts.
If the State Supreme Court should take
any action hereafter that would affect or
threaten to affect the presidential electors
or members OF Congress, think it likely
that, the Jurisdiction of, the United States
Court would be invoked. The United
States Court could interfere to protect mem
bers OF the Board on the ground that they
were in the discharge OF Federal duties,
and having discharged them according to
law could not be punished for contempt by;
the State Court.
Correspondent: Could the United States
Court in any way interfere with State mat
tiers ,.t, ..l..- h. ss;s L.,
Governor: Yes; the Court might say, for
instance, that the order to reconvene the
Board of Canvassers for any purpose would
affect Federal officials, and might interfere
and stop such proceedings.
Correspondent: II the Legislature as or
ganized by the action of the Board Of Can
yassers should declare you Governor would
you stick ,..ss.,.,if, -s..-i. 80 s!:'
Governor: If the Legislature as finally;
organized should throwout certain counties
whose returns have been attacked because
of alleged frauds, and by their action i
should be elected, Iwould certainly stick. IL
Correspondent |: Do you think you have
been elected? :,
Governor: Certainly. It is my opinion
that by an honest count have not less than
5000 aiority. c,-.s SO .tz.,a ls,s 80. it.
Correspondent: Suppose two legisla-
lures meet here next Tuesday, what will be
the result (? tfi
Governor: don't know; but I suppose
IL it comes to that the Federal Government
will interfere, as 1t has done in similar
cases, and settle the matter one way or the
other. ~
Correspondent: Then 1t depends yery
much upon whether Hayes or Tilden Is
President whether Chamberlain or Hamp-
ton shall be Governor Of South Carolina
Governor: oh, no. Grant will be in Of
nee until March, and our affair will have to
be settled before that time.. ,,s1