The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-12-30
Closing Scenes Of the Session,

The Legislature closed its session of
twcnty-seven working days OH the day
before Christmas at hulf-past three
O'Clock III tho morning. 1t was busy
from the beginning, and tho rush of
work during tho last three days was
something tupondous-from eighty to
hundred bills bcing put through
their reading each day. Besides this
q superintendent and directors of the
4cnitentiary and a comptrollcr-gcncral
were elected.
The resignation Of Colonel Colt was
n surprise to most people. 1Io had
been oXoncratcd from all blame by n
committee Of both houses, and his
pccuniary liability was removed by n
two-thirds vote. Still he preferred not
to hold tho Office, as l,e felt that he
would be an object of dctraction to 4
discontcntcd clement. So soon as lie
could retire gracefully hc did so. lie
carries into his retirement tho heart
felt sympathy and the profound re-
spcct of all we'll minded citizens. I'M
mcdiatcly upon tho announcement Of
his resignation there was prcceptible
1lutter in political circles. Among tho
gentlemen named for tho comptrollcr-
snip were Capt. james N. Lipscomb,
Newbcrry, Major II. A. Mcetzc, of
Lexington, Mr.. james T.. Black, Of
Spartanbprg, Capt. w. L. Stoncy,
clerk in the comptrollcr's office, Gen.
D. Walter Gray, Of Grconvillc, and
General Bratton. The friends of the
last named gentleman obtained his
permission to put him in nomination,
but some delay was caused owing to his
absence from the city, and ho was not
announced until tho night before the
election. In tho meantime tho friends
OF General Gray and of Captain Lip
scomb had been very active. The 9th
or gentlemen did not enter the race.
Tho fricnds>of General Gray wcro cs-
pccially confident, and the young clc-
mont in tho Legislature combined in
his favor. Canvassing was very active
the evening before and the day Of the
election. Tho result is known. Cap
tain Lipscolnb declined to run and the
contest narrowed down to General
Bratton and General Gray. The lat
tors strength camo chiefly from the
line Of tho Grccnvillc Railroad and
from tho young men. General Bratton
lost two votes in York, one in Chester,
one IN Fairfield, ono in Kcrshaw, and
got pretty solid vote from Pee Dec
and the middle and lower counties.
After the election on "Wednesday
tho Legislature hauled Off for refresh
mcnts and got to work again. On
Thursday ut three o'clock thcy ad
journcd, tho House until half-past
eight and the Senate until ten ut night
Nothing Of any Importance was trans
acted until about eleven O'Clock ut
night. In the meantime tho Governor
gayo formal reception to the mem
bers. Groups of ten or twelve ut n
time repaired to his office, where, with
his aides, ho entertained them socially
with champagne and "nbsorbcnt." !"
Tho champagne and tho absorbent
blended very harmoniously. Enough
champagne to prevent tho absorbcnt's
being too dry, and enough absorbent
TO Keep the champagne from being
too--wct.
All of tho regular work Of the day
being completed, the House amused
itself with mock session, in which
tho body was presided over by
Johnny Lake, Of Edgciield, the small
est page in the House. He is very
bright, and created much amusement
by tho manner in which he imitatct,
Speaker Sheppard. While this was
going on some countrymcn cnm4 ,;sssna
sec the House, and .S,t,sanss III ~
:, 1F(1ft 3IIo manner Il, which tbc nro.