Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-01-24
The Re-Asscgnbliug OF tiae Acyss-
isature.

1ature.
CoLUMBIA, January l6--Whcu the
iloase met at noon tho Speaker appeared
for the first time in the now and handsome
robe of Office now required to bo worn by
bin whilo presiding over tho deliberations
of this body, and which was prepared for
him during the recess. The ,obo, Which
cost, it is said, $500, is of black silk,
trimmed with purple velvet, and is alto
gether an elegant adjunct,o TO the dignity Of
the chair. 1t is very becoming to Mr..
Sheppard, who, however blusHcd like q
girl ut finding himself, for the first time
siacc Infancy, in such feminine attire.
Tho rearpnlrance of this feature for tho
first time since tho m.:r, I he!ie"a, Is a:c .c
the good tastc Of Gen. Iemphil, of Abbc.
vile.
Messrs. r. w. Shand and George John
ston were sworn in ns members frou Union
and Darlington Counties respectively.
Tho cpsc Of The Sumter election Was taken
up, The commissioners OF election sub
United statement Of tho facts connected
with TIC loss OF Tho ballot BOXES in s!,at
county, from which it appeared that cigh.
ately after the election FROM the room Of the
managers Of the election. The result of
the vote, as il had been aaccrtainel by an
informal count before the boxes were stolen,
showed that Mr.. George Is. Johnston (Rcp.)
had received majority Of 200 of tho whole
vote cast. a count Of the vote in the ten
boxes yet remaining shows majority of
So in tav1r Of Mr.. Mills. In view of The
facts narrated, tho commissioners declare
themselves unable to grant writ of
election to either candidate, and beg
leave to submit the whole matter to the
Legislature.
AIR Aldrich moved that Mr.. Mills be
sworn in, as having received the highest
number Of votes so far as nsec,tained froI,
the commissioners return. The House has
no right, he said. to go behind this prima
f"cic showing aud be governed by "narra-
tive" which is not hore according To lax
and has no icsa! Significance. The House
should be governed by the result as cxh.-
bited.
Mr. Fcrritcr moved to substitute the
lnai.o of Mr.. Johnston, which motion was
warmly seconded by Andrews, of Sumter,
and other ex- Mackeyites, who have devcl.e
ogca most tender regard for fair play since
they have moved ever to tho cleft"
Mr. Orr declared himself in favor Of
seating neither candidate.
Mr.. Hamilton moved to refer the whole
matter to The proper committee
Mr. Aldrch spoke at sumo length de-
tending his view, on the ground of rrima
facic title, aud of numerous prcccaents,
which, he claimed, have always been recog
izned.
Mr. HASKELL said if no voted for the
admission of either candidate it would be
for Mr. Johnston. The Democratic party
of this State should be particularly careful
how thcy admitted candidates with defective
titles, especially when they were members Of
the Democratic party.
Messrs. Gray aud j j. IIemphil spoke
in favor of investigation before admission,
and after somo further remarks, tho whole
matter WAS referred to tho Committee on
Privileges and Elections, with instructions
to report ~ soon as practicable which Of the
claimants has IA prima faco title to scat,
leaving the question of right for future set
tlcmeDt.
Mr. Orr introduced joint resolution to
allow the county commissioners and trcasu.
rer of Anderson to pay tho past indebted
ness of said county out of funds now in tho
treasury of said county.
Mr.. Buist introduced bill to amend tho
law in relation to recording mortgages
Referred to tho Committee on Judiciary
This bill is to absolutely ard conolus;9ely
SATISFY all mortgages oy6r twenty years old,
as to bona fde purchasers and u,ortgagees
for valuable consideration, unless an aflida-
Wit as to nonpaymcnt or payment on account
is made and placed on record in the regis
trars Office.
Mr.. Sloan: Resolution requiring tho judi
cinry committee to inquire into tho matter Of
tho taxes due the State by the Blue Ridge
Railroad Company.
Mr.. Allen: joint resolution providing for
an amendment to the. Constitution relative
to tho time Of holding the meetiugs Of tho
General Assembly and changing the same
The3bill tojreduoe and fix tho per diem
and mileage of membars of the General
Assembly was indofinitoly IL pcs. .ponea.
Ehq bill To- atlofiao tho Score etaryef