The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-12-09

the hearts OF all present That 1or Inc
next two years the interests of South
Carolina would be in The keeping of one
, of Carolina's most prominent sons whose
sole aim in the future would be, as it
had been in the past, to promote the
peace, the prosperity, the general welfare
of her whole people.
The Speaker then announced that the
Hon. John. D. Kennedy, Lieutenant'
Governor elect, was present and ready to
qualify AS in the case Of the Governor,
the constitutional oath was administered
By the Chief Justice.
Tile Senate then returned to the Sen.
ate chamber, escorting the Lieutenant
Governor to his seat as presiding officer
of the body.
The large audience which had witness
ed the ceremonies in the House had now
filled the galleries, and many ladies with
members Of the House and prominent
visitors shared the floor with the scna-
tors. After minutes intermission
employed by the Lieutenant-Governor
in donning his purple robe of Office he
was escorted TO the front Of the presi-
dents desk by the president pro lem.,
Senator I. W. Witherspoon, who in u
few pleasant words introduced him to the
body over which he was thereafter to
preside. The Lieutenant Governor then
with his accustomed grace of expression
spoke as follows:
The LieutenantG Governors Address.
Senators Having been elected to the
Office of Lieutenant Governor, and being
required by the Constitution of the State
to preside over this body, l appreciate
the responsibilities imposed upon me.
In the discharge Of the duties of this
Office I shall bring to bear all the Impair
tiality and ability that I possess. Tho
party to which the majority of the SEN
ate belongs has grave responsibility
devolving upon it, and nowhere does it
rest with more weight than upon this
General Assembly, Of which you are a
component part. Ii, as has been assert
ed, and with which I agree, we are by
virtue of our superior qualifications of
intelligence and property the custodians
ofthe best interests ofall classes and con-
ditions of the people of South Carolina,
let us prove to the country that we appre-
ciate this fact, and by our legislation
demonstrate it. Let our legislation con-
tinue to be above partisanship or mar
rowuess. Let it be broad and catholic,
and, while corrective, at the same time
progressive. Let us rise above political
considerations and direct our efforts to
promote to the fullestextent the interests
and the welfare of every citizen of the
State. Let us, by stimulating industries
and fostering our material development,
seek to alley political agitation and
bind more closely the bonds which
should unite all of our people. The re-
sponsibility is all the more imperative
because of the great proponderance Of
one political party in this General AS
sembly.
Ihavc such confidence in your wisdom,
courage of conviction and devotion to
the State, as to believe that you will
meet the fullest requirements of your
responsibilities and duties, and legislate
accordingly.
Invoking the blessing of Heaven upon
you and asking your kind indulgence in
the task before me, pledge myself to
promote to the utmost harmony and
efficiency in the deliberations of this
body"
At the conclusion of the address,
which command so great interest and
attention, Senator Witherspoon moved
that the Senate adjourn. The vote was
taken and carried, and as the new Pres.
ident announced the result, his first
official act, the Assembly, after congrat-
ulations, dispersed.
The inaugural ceremonies in both
houses were deeply impressive. Upon
the table directly in front of the Speak
er's desk in the House were placed the
old sword and mace of State handed
down through over one hundred years
from the old Colonial days, and first
used in this ceremonial since the war,
upon the occasion of the inauguration of
Governor Hampton in 1878. These
interesting old relics, bearing the regarl
quarterings of William and Mary, iden.
tilted as they are with the very childhood
of the Province of Carolina, appeared
typical then, as they did to-day, of the
two great eras in the history of this peo.
pie, the era of their birth and the era
ofther emancipation from the opprobrium
of Radical rule