The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1877-12-06
Editorial Correspondence.
COLUMBIA, S. O., Nov. 20, 1877


bo seen to be realized. Then the legally
elected representatives of the people
repaired TO tho. .StatesCapital for the
purpose of organizing the lower branch
Of tho General Assembly, but were
met at the door of tho hall of the House
of Representatives by United States
soldiery and turned back at the poin t
of tho bayonet. Chamberlain sat in the
Executive Chair with his black con-
stabulary around him, backed up by
the whole power of tho National
Government. Every effort was made
by him and his confederatcs to bring
about conflict of arms as last re-
sort to perpetuato the reign of the
thieves. The result Of that ovol mt -
morable strugglo is too fresh in tho
minds of tho people to need rehearsal
hero, and L will pass on to subjects of
more immediate interest to them.
Both branches of the General AS
sombly met in their respective halls at
IL o'clock Tuesday, the 9th instant.
The House was called to order by the
Speaker, Gen. Wallace. Tho Clerk
called the roll and quorum was an
nounccd. Tho proceedings were
opened with prayer by the Rov. Mr..
Martin of this place. The Speaker
then announced that since the ad-
journmcnt of the special session of the
Legislature, ho had issued wrts Of
election to fill vacancies from the
counties of Charleston, Richland and
Newberry. The returns of the Com
missioners of Election tor each of
these counties were then read, and the
newly elected members stepped for
ward and wore sworn in by the
Speaker. This was the only business
ot. any Importance transacted that
day. On Wednesday the House met
at IL o'clock, and after the usual form
OF organizing each day, tho rolls of
counties were called, and quite num-
Dor of bills and notices of bills wore
introduced, the most of them Of n
local nature, and relating only to the
counties which tho members intro
ducing them represented. Mr.. Dibble
then, on behalf Of the joint investi-
eating committee submitted their
report in relation TO the election of
j. j. Patterson to tho United States
Senate. The testimony taken is plain
and positive, and sixty fivo ex'mem-
bers of the Senate and House testify
to having been bribed, or offered a
bribe to vote for Patterson. It seems
that the price of legislators ranged
thcn from $40 up to $4,000. The
case agaist Patterson is SO plain that
q conviction tor bribery is certainty,
if he can be brought back to the State
for trial. His scat in the United
States Senate will certainly be de-
clared vacant by that body If they
have any regard for the character of
their members. Tho full report of the
committee will not, I am informed,
be submitted under two weeks yet.
1t will certainly be o most interesting
document, and tho devious ways of
Radicalism Will be laid bare to the
public gazo by it.
In the Senate some very important
changes have been made. Swails.
Senator from Williamsburg county,
and President pro tenn. Of the Senate
followed the example of several of his
colleagues, and when the Senate as
sembled, stepped down ard out. 10
sephus Woodruff, Clerk of the Senate,
and possessor of tho "littlo whirligig
book, alsc stepped down and out.
The Senate on yesterday elected Hon.
L. b. letter, Senator from Union
county, President pro tom. of that
body, vico Swails, and Col. T. Stobo
farrow, of Spartanburg, Clerk of the
Senate, vice Woodruff.
Several changes in the various Sen.
ate committees were made, the newly
elected Senators being placed on them
--end Democrats elected to the chair
nfpnship OF such committees as had
bcGn nade vacant by the resignation
of Republican Senators. All the