The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-05-11
"a aIcH SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

<>1lg k2X.-1@NEW SERIES.
A RICH SCENE IN THE HOUSE.
~ Mr. Orr, on behalf of the joint committee
TO whom had been referred the claims of the
members of the late Mackey House, made
the following report, which was adopted:
The committees on privileges and elec-
tions and judiciary, 10 whom were referred
the claims of all persons alleged to have
been elected, and who refused to appear and
qualify as members, aud joined thelhselves
to another body, calling themselves a House
of Representatives, &C., beg leave to report
that they have duly aud carefully consider
ed the same as far as their time has allowed,
and ask to make the following partial re-
port:
That though the conductof the persons
referred to in the resolutions has been highly
reprehensibile, and in contempt of the au-
thorisy Of this HousS,s stil4t6 committoei
desire, as far as possible, 10 carry out the
broad, just and liberal policy of the Admin
istration, and prescribe no one, as far as
they can 10 10 consistently with the dignity
of the House of Representatives and the
majesty Of the law. We beg leave to re-
commend as follows:
That from Beaufort Messrs. Hastings
CAN'T, Joseph Robinson, George A. Reed
and 7. E. Miller, on presenting their cre-
dentials and purgiag themselves at the bar
of tho House Of their contempt, have the
oath of Office administered to them, and be
allowed to take their seats as members.
That from Chester Messrs. Samuel Cole
mau and Purvis Alexander be admitted on
the same condition
That from Clarendon Messrs. Syfax Mil
ton and Hampton Boston be admitted on the
same conditions
That from Georgetown Messrs. Charles
8. Green and P. K. Kinloch be'admittec on
the same conditions.
That from Orangeburg Messrs. Shadrack
Morgan, Christian w. Caldwell and Ellis
Forrest be admitted on the same conditions
That from Richland Messrs. A. W. Cur
tis, O. 8. Minort, Jas. Wells, R. J. Palmer
and VIM. NJ. LoMmau be admitted on the
same conditions, and
That from Williamsburg William Scott,
james Peterson and John Evans be ad-
mitted on the Same conditions.
j. L. Orr,
RoBT. ALDRIoH.
Hamilton moved that the members named
in the report come forward, by counties, and
after purging themselves of their contempt
be sworn in. This plan was adopted, and
there followed one of the richest scenes that
ever was witnessed within the legislative
balls of South Carolina. The Rebels, as
they are fitly termed, appeared to,feel it al
over, mud stood before Mie speaker Ssdest
like parcel Of disgraced school boys about
to be lectured. To those who had seen
these identical men last winter, insolent
overbearing and oud-mouthcd, the very mer
who had with similar resolutions poured
forth day and night their. foul abuse upor
the heads of the legal representatives o.
the State, the scene to-day was immense
and one that never will be forgotten. 1t il
almost incredible that the crying apologist!
who appeared to-day, craving pardon, arr
the same blatant partsans who. in Dscembe
last, threatened the life of the Republic
Beaufort was first called for and CAN'T
Robinson, Reed and Miller came forward
in sort of wriggling gait, with their ere
dentials in their hands. The speaker said
"You have heard the resolutions adopted b
the House. What have you to say 70
yourselves p.
Miller, who in the flush days Of Radical
ism, was inclined to be yeryse eteppe
to the front and in . very n5i1r6 hispel
in marked contrast with bis a. style q
haranguing said "What have done bt
lieve to be right, but I am perfectly willin
to recognize you as the legal Speaker, an
this as the legal House of Representatives.
A number of voices cried out "louder," an
Mr.. Sheppard said: "There is q conditio
precedent to Mr. Miller's admission, an
that is that he shall purge himself Of th
contempt of which ne acknowledges himse
guilty, and 1 do not recognize in his remarl
an expression Of regret or penitence for b
palpabls violation of the law" Miller, in
half frightened tone II accept the prepos
tion as laid down in the resolutions, an
consider this acceptation as purging my Col
tempt" Avoice from the Democratic sic
insistod that there should be an admissio
: of wrong, and request for perdon, Mile
- finding lhat he had to awallow tho dos
& blurred out that he kpaE. Re had done wron
~ and cravsd pardon 8aE LII he had don
This was sstissaesory, and the House agree
.,to admit HIM -
Miller then said that he would state, on b
. half Of his colleagues, that they made Il
same apologies as himself A dozen voic
:, ,oried out that they wanted TO hear each mi
speak for himself Can't came next, an
seeing the fate of Miller, was decidedly mo
.docile. He said: 81 accept the propositio
as laid down in the resolutions, and I q
willing to stand by them and apologize