Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-02-21
[From the Columbia Rogister.]
Result of the Caucus.

Result of the Caucus.
The great event of yesterday was tho
Democratic caucus to nominate candidates
tor Circuit judges, which excited general
interest throughout the city. The friends
of the various candidates were busy during
the day, and as tho hour approached fof
the, onucus TO assemble, the greater interest
was felt as to the result, in consequence of
ruInors hoating berc and thero as to the
Intentions of certain members to throw
bombshclls and other explosive substances
into the party. These rumors were princi-
p,lly relating to the recollection of Judges
Maokey aud Cooke, whose hosts of friends
outside of the caucus were anxious to know
tho destiny of the men who Incurred the
unehdlng hostility of their own politica
associates in the last campaign, by reason
of their devotion and manly eapousal of the
Democratic cause. Fortunately these cx.
plosive materials wero not convenient, or
had prematurely become exhausted, and the
caucus was conducted without the use Of
pitro-glycerine.
The caucus assembled in the hall of
Representatives ut o'clock, and was
drecnville, with Hon. Charles Petty as
Secretary.
On taking the chair, Senator Crlttcnden
spoke as follows:
Gentlemen Of the Caucus: You are
usscmblcd under the call of your Executive
Committee for the purpose Of making nom
nations for the offices of Circuit Judges to
fill the vacancies oocasioued by the decision
of the Supreme Court Of this State ia rca-
ton to the Third judicial Circuit, and tho
designations caused thereby of the Judges
of the First, Second, Fourth Sixth and
Eighth Circuits. In tho absence Of instruo
tions to the contrary, nominations will be
received by the chair in the numerical order
of the existing vacancies. l will state that
under the rules adopted by the caucus, it
requires two-thirds of all the Democratic
members of the General Assembly to make
q nomination. According to the roll of the
Secretary there are l Is Democratic members
in tho two houses. 1t will require, there,
fore, % votes to make a nomination; and
now, gentlemen, before proceeding to the
grave and important duty for which we
have assembled, let me invoke upon your
deliberations spirit of toleration and for
tearaoce. Why should any Democratic
member of this caucus be intolerant of the
diverse opinions of others? Are We not all
actuatcd by the same motives and ardent
desire for the good of the State? Are We
not all striving for the same objcct-thc
honor and the welfare OF the State? I
assert now that al the differences between
us upon the important matters for which we
have assembled are entirely in relation to
the best means of reaching the same end
Having, then, the same high object in view
and differing only 10 regard to tho best
u'cans of attaining TINT object, let US discuss
these differences 10 q spirit of liberation
and forboarance, aud then let us decide
them by tho time honored Democratic rule
OF submission to the majority. You arc
here 10 your legislative capacity, and 10
this caucus az the representatives of tho
Democracy Of South Carolina
The first proposition made was in the
nature of preamble and resolution by
Senator Lipscomb, of Newberry, to tho
general effect that no person should be
nominated for tho Office of Circuit Judge
except straighout, uDcompromsing Do
mocrat. This caused considerable debate,
and was finally defeated by largo vote.
Thcrcupon Senator Lipscomb and J.. W.
Younan of Barnwcll retired from tho eau
Gus.
Hon. G. G.. Memminger offered resolu
ton that all the former incumbcnts, except
Virgins, DO rc-ecctcd to their positions,
with tho understanding that they tender
their designations, to take effect at the cxpi.
ration Of their uncxpircd term, which was
also rejected. s,5a
The customary resolution was adopted,
binding all members present to sustain tho
nominations, and thon tho contest was
fairly entered, with the racers all on tho
track. Ono hundred and eighteen
members were present; sixty necessary to a
choice.
The circuits were taken up in regular
order, beginning with tho Charleston Cir-l
cult, and the vote was taken oiua uoce.
On the frat ballot, Hon. I}. O. Presley, 90;
5. Dibblc, 10; II. NJ. IIanckc, 16.
For tho Second Circuit, thcro was also
a single ballot, in which IIou. A p Aldrioh,
Of Barnwcll, received SO votes, and Col. w.
Elliott, of Beaufort, 25 votes.
Al, y r