New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-30
AT COLUMBIA.
EVERYTHING IN HAMProN's HANDs-A DESERTED
STATE HOUSE.

STATE HOUSE.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
| COLUMBIA S. c., March 29.-The South Carolina
controversy has almost settled itself. All that re-
mains of it is merely contest for the possession OF
the rooms in the State House. and of the books and
records kept in them. The Chamberlain officials
occupy these rooms under the protection of the Fed
eral soldiers but they exercise other functions OF
office whatever According to their own statements
| they WILL if the military are withdrawn, quietly
turn over the keys to the officers of the Hampton
Government
Inquiries of the leaders of both parties leave no
question but that the powers of the State Govern
ment in all its administrative branches wholly in
the hands of Gov. Hampton Under a resolution of
his Legislature last Winter he called upon the tax
payers to advance for the support of his adminstra-
ton one-tenth of the amount of their last years
taxes. They have responded with such unanimlty
that over $4,000 has already been received This
is nearly tenth of the total State levy of last year.
The Chamberlain Government has not collected
dollar of taxes.
OF the eight Circuit Judges five have made de-
cisions one way OF another recognizing the validity
of IIamptons authority. One of the others has de-
cided that Hampton was elected but has not yet
been legally inauguraed, and that Chamberlain
holds over. The other two have made no decisions
involving the question. There are only two Supreme
Court Judges, the Chef-Justice being dead. They
both signed a decision containing a recognition of
Hampton, but one of them Judge Wright after
ward filed a revocation, which is held by Judge
Willard. his associate to be of no effect Judge
Wright subsequently drew upon Hampton's Treas
urer for months salary, and his receipt is on file.
The State Pcnitcntiay is supported with funds paid
monthly by Hampton. So are the State charitable
institutions. Hamptons pardons release criminals,
nd
cuted TIE county shcriff5 and treasurers obey his
instructions. Indeed there to be no vestige
of authority in the hands of Chamberlain except the
control of the State House. which he holds because
the soldiers are instructed to hold it for him.
Columbia is as quiet as a New-Ensland village.
Not the least sign of excitement is to be seen III the
streets. The State House is deserted save by the
Chamberlain officials and the detail of soldiers.
single sentinel guards the door to the Executive
chamber where LieutCOv. Glcaves sits i'll solitary
state. The arms of about twenty others are stacked
in the hail. aHd the men pass the time III playing
cards ia the ante-room. At the Hampton hcadquar-
tcrs are three officials messenger, aad clerk.
They have no guard, civil or military.
Nobody participates the least disturbance If Hamp-
ton is recognized if the question is left 20 decide
itself by the withdrawal of the troops from the State
House to their barracks hard by. A civil process
will in one day eject the Chamberlain officers from
the building without force or even unusual excite
ment Then the whole affair will end The"flamp-
ton officers say that there viii be such thing as
revenge prosecution OF Their dSp0ssessed rivals;
and if there any suits at all they viii be to re-
cover money plainly due the State according to the
books of the retiring oscers. Snch peaceabe and
conciliatory spirit prevails among the influential
classes of citizens here that il is impossible TO credit
the statements of certain capet-bag politicians that
they will have to flee the State if Chamberlain is
I not rpcnpuizpd