Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-05-03
The 6eneral A5semblg*
From the Charleston News and Courier
THE SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE.
THE FIRST DAYS PROCEEDINGS.

COLUMBIA, April 24.-This, the first day
of the session, has been marked by events of
the greatest interest and utmost importance
to the people of the State. A victory has
been won, which was as perfect as it has been
peaceable, and which was, moreover, but the
earnest of triumphs yet to be accomplished by
the champions Of the people in their contest
with the foes of Reform and good Govern
ment. When the Senate was called to order,
that body presented the too familiar spectacle
of a proud and unscrupulous majority rejoic-
ing in their strength to do evil, and to oppose
everything of good which might be submitted
to their suffrages. When the gavel fell to an
nounce the hour of adjournment, the same
hall presented the no less striking scene Of
that same majority, no longer defiant and ar
rogant, but cowed and trembling as men who
feel that the finger of Fate has been laid upon
them, and who realize that the star of their
evil prominence has faded away in the light
of a newer and brighter day.
AS the hour appointed for the convening OF
the General Assembly drew nigh, the members
and claimants for seats in the House and
Senate began gathering at the State-House,
together with hundreds of the Interested pop
ulace. At IL M. precisely, Speaker Wallace
and Clerk of the House Sloan assembled the
stand, accompanied only by their assistant
clerks. E. w. NJ. Mackey made his appear
ance during the early portion of the clay, but
withdrew toward noon. Neither was Jones
present, both of these worthless having sought,
as they imagined, more quiet fields in the Sen
atorial Chamber. The left of the hall was
occupied by the Democratic representatives
almost exclusively, while the right of the hall
was solely occupied by the members of the
late Mackey House, the only two white Re-
pubicans present being Ferriter and johnson
of Sumter A few moments past noon Speak
er Wallace sounded the gavel and announced
that the House of Representatives would
come to order. The clerk then proceeded to
call the roll of the Constitutional House, or
ganized and sworn under Speaker Wallace in
November last, the members of the Mackey
House remaining unnoticed in their seats.
Sixty-nine names were called, all of whom an
swered, Gibson and Bird alone of the Constl-
tutional members being uncalled, Gibson hav.
ing backsided and then resigned and Bird
having backslided and being in contempt
After prayer by Rev. Mr.. Martin, the Speak
er announced that quorum being present the
House was ready to proceed to business. At
this stage of the proceedings, to the utter as
tonshment of the ignored Mackeyites, who
had by this time become considerably bewil-
dered in the rapid unfolding of events, Mr..
Shaw, of Edge6eld, moved an immediate ad'
iournment of the House. Before the Boguses
had time to take breath, the motion was put
II. kHa Hrt,on 10
declared adjourned until II NJ. Tomorrow
All these important events had transpired
within the space of ten minutes, and already
half of the members had risen from their seats
and started for the Senate Chamber, where
was to be the battlefield of the day. The
most cynical could find no reason to doubt
Democratic organization and concentration
here. Everything was prepared before hand,
and the programme was carried out without
variations. In the early part of the morning