Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-04-19
THE FORMAL SURRENDER.

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correspondent of the Charleston News and
Courier gives the following account of the
formal transfer of the executive office to
Governor Hampton's private secretary:
The transfer of the Government of South
Carolina, with all the momentous interests in
volved in that proceeding, was effected to-day
with as little pomp and circumstance as
though the two prominent characters, parties
to the ceremony, we're exchanging photo
graphs or jack k.knives. These two gentlemen
were Messrs. Wade H. Manning and c. j.
Babbitt, Governor Hampton's and Mr.. Cham
berlains respective secretaries.
Mr.. Chamberlain left his Office few min
utes after II A. M, and sfter bidding fare
we'll to his officers and clerks in the Capitol,
entered his carriage, in company with Mr.. j..
G. Thompson, and was driven through Main
street to his residence. The streets were
densely crowded at the time by thousands who
had assembled to witness circus pageant
which was then passing, and the carriage
picked its way slowly along almost unnotlced.
The cold, handsome face of the Ex-Governor
might have been seen for moment as he
went by, but if he felt any unnatural emo
ton in view of his suddenly altered circum.
stances, no evidence of it could be detected in
the ex preston of his pale, quiet features.
The familiar portfolio, without which he has
never or seldom been seen, in his daily jour-
ney to and from the State.House, was as
usual under his arm, and even while you no.
ted these slight details, he was gone.
At FIVE minutes to IL M, Mr.. Manning
presented himself at the Executive Office and
was politely met by Mr.. Babbitt, of whom he
requested the surrender of the Governors Of
6ce in the name of Governor Hampton. Mr..
Babbtt replied that he was directed by Gov
ernor Chamberlain to make the transfer at
II precisely, and would do so when that hour
arrived. AS the first stroke of loon was
heard, Mr. Babbitt handed over the seal and
KEYS of the Office, accompanying the action
with the usual verbal formula, and Governor
Hampton was in possession Of his office. A
few minutes more were spent in explaining
the details of books, papers, &C., and both
gentlemen retired from the premises, leaving
the Office locked, as it will remain, until the
key is turned to admit Gov. Hampton him
self. He will probably take possession. in
person, tomorrow. A few idlers were present
about the building, but only one or two gen.
tlemen we're allowed to be present at the cere-
mony as witnesses.
The day has been strangely quiet, barring
the circus, after the events of yesterday.
There have been no flags displayed, no hur-
rahs heard, nothing beyond quiet, satisfied
acceptance of the new era so long expected, 80
often despaired of, but at last arrived.
I have been reliably informed that Mr..
Chamberlains sudden change purpose was
brought about by the earnest representations
and advice of his Chief Executive officers,
whose names appeared attached to the letter
addressed to him. The cogent arguments
used are fully recounted in Mr.. Chamberlain's g
own letter. 1t is said his final determination
was arrived at only after long deliberation,
and that he finally yielded directly in the teeth
of most urgent advices from Washington to
stick to his first resolution.
The other officers in the Stats-House con-
slider it their duty to hold their ground, subject
to the decision Of the Supreme Court. | do
not think they care or hope to remain very
much longer The Democratic contestants
for the same Offices will move into the Capt.
tol at once, and occupy others of the numer.
GUS vacant rooms therein until duly recognized.
GOVERNOR HAMPTON IN POSSESSION.
On the following day, Governor Hampton
took formal possession of the executive office,
remaining there until late hour in the after
noon. The transfer of his papers, &C., from
the temporary quarters over Scott's Bank,
hitherto occupied by him as an Office, was
quickly effected, and it was remarked that the
Governor appeared perfectly at home in his
new position. The ante-room of the Execu'
tive Office will be made to serve for all the
heads of departments for the present, or until
they obtain possession of the other Offices to
which they are respectively entitled.
A squad of convicts from the Penitentiary
was busily engaged on Thursday in the very
necessary labor of securing the floors of the
rooms which had been thoroughly de6led by
Chamberlain's special constables during their
occupancy. This herculean task will have to
be performed throughout the entire building.
The seal, which was turned over to Cover
nor Hampton on Wednesday, proves to be the
great seal of the State, which chanced to be
in the Governors office at the time of the
transfer. 1t is reported that Mr.. Hayne
claims to be entitled to its possession by vir-
tue of his office as secretary Of State, and ac-
tually requested that it might be restored to
his custody. This request was not complied
with for divers reasons, one Of which may be
q 4 IL ~.