The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-05-23
The Election Of Chief Justice.

DCCI1 1cN v j J. VII ItS = =
by almost the unanimous vote of both
political parties. But knowing that Gov
ernor Hampton had determined to put
the Republican carpet-bagger in tho posi-
ton, he disliked to seem to come in an
tognism to the Administration, and re-
quested his friends to withdraw his name
entirely from the race. This they declin
ed to do. Finally, they reluctantly con-
scented to go into caucus with tho Admin
istration followers, with the hope that
they could defeat them, ven after the
Governor had, in the public prints, in
structed his adhcrcnts to vote for VIII
lard.
There were eighty votes in the caucus,
and General McGowan's was the only
formidable name presented against the
Administration candidate. Forty-one
votes being necessary to choice, it was
not until three o'clock in the morning
that the necessary odd vote was secured,
and those who were'in a majority of one
in the caucus whipped the balance into
their service, and defeated the will of the
Legislature and the people whom they
represent. General MCGOWAN was from
the first, in~dustriously fought. The Reg
lister took sides with the Governor, while
the reporters OF both the Charleston pa
pers entirely ignored his strength in the
nva by either emitting to mention him
at ali, or in merely abiding to him in
such q manner as was calculated to lead
the casual reader of these journals to the
impression that he had not the ghost of a
chance.
With the administration solidly arrayed
against him and in favor of their own
candidate, aided by the help Of the local
paper which is supposed to be the expos
itor Of the views of the administration, to-
gether with the inuendoes from the Char
lesion papers at first, and their open oppo-
sition at the last, is 1t any wonder that
General Samuel MCGOWAN, of Abbeville,
the best man in South Carolina" was de-
feated, and the Republican Lieutenant
Colonel ola negro regiment, from New
York, put in the position!
The senate came into the hall Of the House
Of Representatives, five minutes belo.e one
nor Simpson took the chair and called the
joint assembly to order. The Clerk read the
resolution under which the joint assembly
had convened.
utes you be allowed for each nomination,
and five minutes for each second TO a noni-
nation.
Senator Sam Green asked the Chair for how
long a term the Chief Justice was to be elect
The Chair-The resolution has been read
and each member must Interpret 1t FOR him
SELF.
The Clerk read the resolution again.
MIR. Orr-I rise to nominate Judge A.. ].
Willard. Extended remarks are unnecessa-
~. Judge Willard has for n long time filled
the position OF Associate Justice with honor
that If he should be pEomoted to the position
Of Chief Justice he VIII still continue to hold
the balances Of Justice properly, and con-
tinue to be an honor to south Carolina as he
has been In the past. /, therefore, urge his
claims OH this Genera Assembly.
Mr.. Andrews-1 rise to put in q nomina-
ton. In putting in my, nomination I do mo-
sembly that l do 1t for the purpose OF injur-
ing the wheels OF the government. but ! put
it In with the motives that have always
prompted me according 70 my own con-
science for the welfare OF the State. / feel
that there ore able gentlemen In tho State OF
South Carolina who can fill the office of Chief
Jutlce rs well ~ the candidate who has been
nominated. 1t Will be an honor to vote for
my candidate. This is the Hon. W. D.. Por-
ter, Of Charleston.
MIR. n. b. Myers-I rise to second the nomi-
nation OF Judge Willard. 1t gives me q great
deal of pleasure to be able 10 demonstrate to
the people Of this country that the people OF
South Carolina are determined to recognize
worth. 1t has been said that We are opposed
TO n certain class OF men; and 1 want to de-
clare by my vote to-day that am not oppos-
ed to men who are Identified with South
Carolina and her interests. I":therefore tax
great pleasure In seconding the nomination
Of Judge A. j.. Willard.
On motion OF Mr.. Hamilton, the nomina-
tions were then closed.
Mr.. Palmer rose to make a nomination, but
the Chai said that 1t was out Of order.
The vote was then taken vipa voce, and re-
Gowan, 80; ". d. Porter, 2; ]. B. Kershaw.
Mr.. Keith originally voted for Mr.. McIver,
but changed to Gen. MCGOWAN. Mr.. Cald-
Gen. MCGOWAN.
Those who voted for Judge Willard are
Messrs. Aldrich, Wallace, E. S. Allen, w. s.
Allen, Anderson, .Asbill, Austen, Bamberg,
w. X. Bradley, Bridges, Brown, Byers. CALI
son, Colt, Compton, Conner, Cooper, Cum
mlngs, Davis, Deal. Donnald, EdenS, Erwin,
Gray. {: 8; Green. Gn,gnard, Hamer, Hamil-
Hood, ]. B.. Hunbert. Hutchinson, Jerries,
Jennings, Jones, Kinloch. Leapheart, Maree,
Massey, McRae, Moore. Muller, n. b. Myers,
Orr, Parler, Petty, Peake. Redfearn. Reddish.
Simpson, Sloan, Vandiver, Werner, Watts,
Westberry, Westmoreland, sWofford, Wood
ward, Youmans,. Bowen, Butler, Cannon,
Corwin, Counts, Crittcnden. Evans, Gaiilard,
HnuyurH Ipfar IivfnCstnn AaxualI
Meetze. Todd, Witherspoon.
Those who voted for General s. MCGOWAN
are: Messrs: Alexander, Boston, Coleman,
Keith, Lowmasn, Miller, Milton. Morgan, Pal.
mer, Peterson, Reed, Robinson, Scott, ]. A.
smith. Wells, Wines. Bird. Carter, Clinton.
G9chrSn. Duncan, Gerry, 8: Gresn, Johnston,
Those who voted for Mr.. W. D. Porter are:
Msssrs: andrews, n L: D.. Bryan.
are: Messrs. Ferriter and Hough.
Mr.. Caldwell voted for Hon. s. w. Mel
Mr.. R. H. Humbcrt voted for Gen. w. H.
Wallace.
MIR. .. ]. Keith voted for Mr.. McIver.
Mr.. Ferriter asked II q majority OF the
whole number OF RENDERS elect were requir-
cd TO elect a Chief Justice.
The Chair-rhat is not a parliamentary
question.
The Lieutenant Governor then declared A..
]. Willard elected Chief Justice. and the
senate withdrew.
The House then adjourned!s
DOMINATING AN ASSOCIATE JUSTICE.
We are now beginning to come to the
supposed location "of the milk in the CO.
coanut," and may be able, by linking
some of tho facts together, to fairly &C.
count for the zeal, which has heretofore
been manifested for the promotion Of a
Republican carpet-bagger in preference
to a native born Democrat, the peer Of
any man in the State, and whose lifelong
service on the stump, the forum, and the
tented field has always been in the cause
of truth and justice to the private citizen,
and to the advancement of the interest
and renown of his native heath-the land
that gave him birth.
On Thursday night the Democrats held
a caucus with the following result for As
sociate Justice: