Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-12-05
SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE.

Both Houses convened to-day promptly at
IL, IN. and proceeded Immediately to business.
In THE SENATE, Lieutenant-G Governor
Simpson assumed the chair, and announced
that the senators having come to the conclu-
sion, after mature consideration, that it was
best for him to attend the opening Of the
Senate in his official capacity as President,
for the purpose Of organization, he had com.
piled with their views, aud the organization
would accordingly proceed in regular order.
The first step being the presentation of
credentials, the members elect came forward,
and, having handed in their certificates of
election, were sworn in and assigned to seats.
On motion, the Senate proceeded to the
election of officers, with the following results.
the vote being unanimous in each instance {:
Hon. T. B. Jeter, of Union, president pro tenn. !;
Col. T. Stobo Farrow. clerk Mr.. A. D. Good.
wyn, reading clerk Mr.. L. II. Marshall, SER
geant.at-arms. These gentlemen having been
duly sworn and installed into their respective
Offices, message was sent to the House, an
nouncing that the Senate was duly organized
and ready for business.
Mr.. Livingston, of Oconee, moved that the
rules which governed the Senate last session,
be continued in force. The resolution was
adopted. A motion by the same gentleman
that the joint rules of the last session be also
continued in force, lies over; under the rule.
On motion of Gen. Siegling. a committee, Of
three was appointed to wait on the Governor.
and announce that the Senate was organized
and ready to receive any communication he
desired to make. Senators Siegling, Critten-
den and Patterson were appointed the COM
mittee.
Pending the report of the committee, the
Senate adjourned until - o'clock tomorrow.
THE HOUSE was called to. order by the
clerk, j. T. Sloan Esq. Mr.. Johnstone, of
Newberry, moved that, the Hon. Benz. r..
Rutledge be requested to preside over the
preliminary organization Of the House.
The motion was unanimously adopted, and
Gen. Rutlege took the chair The members
elect were then called, those present advanc-
ing and taking the oath as prescribed by the
Speaker. ., .
AS soon as all had been sworn, Mr.. Buist,
Of Charleston, moved that the House proceed
to the election of Speaker by viva vocs vote.
Adopted. Mr.. Murray, of Anderson, Mr..
Dargan, of Sumter, and Mr.. Aldrich. Of
Aiken, were, on motion, appointed tellers.
Mr.. Buist said that be had the honor to
present to the House, as candidate for the
distinguished Office of Speaker, the name Of
the Hon. John G. Sheppard, of Edge6eld. 1t
was, he said, bis privilege, year ago, at the
request Of the gentleman's friends, to perform
similar pleasing duty. He had then, ex-
pressed the hope that he would adorn the po
sition as one of Carolina's young and distin-
guished sons. He knew of no language that
would more appropriately express the fulfil
ment Of those hopes than the resolution pas
sed by the house at the close Of its last ses
sion, whish he proceeded to read.
Gen. Kennedy, of Kershaw, said that it
gave him great pleasure to second the nomi
nation, and express the hope that Mr.. Shep-
pard's election would be unanimous. -s5;,
The roll was then called. One hundred
and thirteen votes were cast, all for Mr.. Shep
pard. On motion, committee of three, COLI
sisting of Messrs. Buist, Kennedy and Blue,
was appointed to notify M. Sheppard of his
election and escort him to the Speakers stand.
The committee performed this duty, the en-
trance of the Speaker elect being greeted
with applause. ~ .a.u.
Gen. Rutledge said to Mr. Sheppard that
nothing that he could say would increase the
honor that had been conferred or the pleas.
ure of being the recipient of it. He then ad-
dressed the House, saying that it was his du-
ty to introduce the Hon. John G. Sheppard,
for the second time chosen speaker. He need.
ed no encomiums. His record was his best
eulogy. ..-4
Mr.. Sheppard briefly expressed bis grati6-
cation at the mark of esteem and confidence
he had received. He took occasion to pay q
we'll deserved tribute to the honor, magnanim.
ity and true manhood displayed by Gen.
Kennedy, who withdrew from the contest.
doubtless thereby greatly aiding to establish
the prevailing harmony. Mr.. Sheppard
briefly pointed out the responsibility resting
on the body. and the ends to be obtained,
and urged unity, diligence and conscientious
ness in the discharge of the duties of the
House.
The next business was the election of clerk
of the House. For this position Mr. Clark
son, of Richland, nominated John T. Sloan.
In seconding this nomination Mr.. Johnstone.
Of Newberry, said that he felt as if he were
urging the restoration of the traditions Of the
past. Before the war this gentleman had
filled the office of clerk with honor and credit,
and when the State first began again to put
on garments of prosperity, he was found at
his post.
Mr.. Barron, of Clarendon, nominated Wal
ter B. Metts, of York. Seconded by Mr.. Mas.
sey, of York.
Mr. Dargan, of Sumter, nominated Col.
James A. Hoyt. Seconded by Mr.. Britton,
of Charleston. The same gentlemen acted
as tellers, and the following was the result:
70
-
sloan ~