Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-01-25
The Aurkrille Gnqnirer.
YORKVTLLE, s. c.:
THURSDAY MORNING, JAN. 25, 1877.
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.

passed to print 5000 extra copies of the testi-
mony taken by the committee on privileges
and elections, in regard to the late election in
Louisiana, Florida and South Carolina, and
the casting of the electoral vote in Oregon.
A large number of petitions were presented
and referred to the appropriate committees.
A bill was introduced for the relief of the po-
lisical disabilities of W. H. Gibbes, of South
Carolina. In the House, Mr.. Cochrane offered
resolution directing the Judiciary committee
to enquire whether any of the privileges
granted to the Western Union Telegraph
Company by Congress could be revoked, and
ifso, directing the committee further to in
quire into the propriety of revoking those
privileges. Defested-not two-thirds voting
in the affirmative Mr. Hatcher, of Missouri,
moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill
allowing the growers of tobacco to sell leaf
tobacco free from fine or otner restriction.
Defeated. Mr.. Caul6eld moved to suspend
the rules and pass the bill providing that but
one regiment of infantry, one company Of
cavalry and one battery of artillery shall be
stationed in the District of Columbia, and
that no portion of that force shall be permitted
to come within one half mile of the Capital
Defeated. ....
In the Senate on the 18th, Mr.. Patterson,
of South Carolina, presented petition of D.
II. Chamberlain, R. 81. Gleaves, F. L. Car
dozo and others, of South Carolina, setting
forth that many of the statements in the Pc
tition of Wade Hampton and others, recent
ly presented in the Senate, are untrue and
are calculated to mislead the Senate. The
petition then reviews at great length the con-
dition of affairs in South Carolina, and claims
that the petitioners were elected to the va.
rious Offices. It was ordered that the petition
be printed in the Congressional Record. Pend
ing such disposition of the petition, the fol-
lowing proceedings we're had:
Mr.. Alcorn, of Mississippi, objected to any
thing being printed in the Record without being
read in the Senate. The reading of the petition
the petition of Wade Hampton and others, and
say many of the statements in it are untrue in
fact; others calculated to mislead the Senate,
and the various important facts are omitted.
Mr.. SnorInan, OF OQlO, CQo reau-
ing) said he would suggest that the paper be
printed in the Record without taking up time to
have it read.
Mr.. Alcorn again objected, and said he had no
mortal, but it should be first read in the Senate.
Mr.. Sherman said that when Senator pro-
duced petition he became the guarantor that it
was proper, and for that reason it need not be
read.
Mr.. Alcorp having declined to withdraw his
objection, the reading was resumed.
The petitioners ask Congress to accept from
them full and fair statement of affairs in South
Carolina, and declare that they stand ready to
make good their statements when required to do
so. They charge violence and intimidation. Of
Republican voters at the State election review
at great length the action of the Returning Board
and Supreme Court, and claim that they were
lawfully elected to their respective offices. The
reading of the petition was continued until l2:45,
p. IN, when Mr.. Alcorn withdrew his objection.
Mr.. Davis, of West Virginia. said that unless
the Senator presenting the petition would state
that he had read it, and that it was proper doc
ument, he would renew the objection.
Mr.. Patterson said, to be frank, that he had not
read it, as he only received it this morning, but
lie knew Governor Chamberlain to be an honor
able man, and he would not say anything in the
petition which was not true. He had no doubt it
was proper and respectful document.
No further objection to having it printed with
out being read was made, and it was ordered that
the petition be printed in the Record.
Mr.. Patterson, of South Carolina, submitted a
reSOutlOn declaring Cnat Cne state government
now existing in South Carolina, and represented
by D. H. Chamberlain, is the lawful government
of said State that it was Republican in form and
every assistance should be given to it by the Uni
ted States, to tho end that the laws may be faith
fully executed. Referred to the Committee on
Privileges and Elections
Mr.. Withers, of Virginia, in accordance
with previous notice, called up the message
of the President in regard to the occupation
of Petersburg, Va, on the day of the last
general election, and submitted resolution
of inquiry upon the subject. After speeches
by Senators johnson and Withers, denounc-
ing the occupation of Petersburg by troops
during the late election, the resolution passed.
In the House, the judiciary committee report
ed resolution for the arrest of the members
of the Louisiana Returning Board and bring
ing them before the bar of the House to an
swer for contempt in refusing to produce the
original returns before the New Orleans in
vestigating committee. An excited debate
ensued, but no vote was reached.
In the Senate on the 18th. large number
of bills of a private nature were passed. Nor
plete the investigation by the subcommittee
of privileges and elections into Louisiana at:
fairs. The same Senator also made an elabo-
rate speech in support of the action of the
President in placing troops at Petersburg, Va,
during the recent election. In the House,
the resolution for the arrest of members of
the Louisiana Returning Board, to answer at
the bar Of the House for contempt, after an
excited debate, was passed by vote of yeas,
1853; nays, 81.
In the Senate on the 18th, Mr.. Jones, Of
Florida, presented the petition of the Demo
cratic Electors of the State of Florida, claim
ing that they have been legally elected, and
asking that the Electoral vote cast by them
for President and Vice-President be counted,
instead of that cast by the Republican Elect
ors. On motion of Mr.. Jones, the petition
was laid on the table and he gave notice that
he would call it up at an early day. Ander-
son and Wells, two members of the Louisiana
Returning Board, having arrived in Washing
ton, were arrested and are in confinement.
The officers of the House have gone to New
Orleans to bring Kenner and Cazenave, the re-
manning members of the Board to the. bar of
the House. The report Of the joint committee
on counting Electoral vote was submitted to
both Houses of Congress. In view of its i'm
portance and the possibility that it will be
adopted, we print in another column the full
text of the report.