Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-01-15

III. g. Cheever was chosen Assistant Secfetary
by vote of g. Again the point Of order
was raised that no quorum was present and
again it was overruled. The question of notify
ing the Senate reorganization was debated, Mr..
Hale taking the ground that there had been
no legal organization of the House, and no
other body could be informed thereof. He.
was, however, overruled. The protest Of
members from FIVE cities was presented by
MI. Hale, who then proceeded to address the
House, urging that the only way to allay the
great excitement prevailing was to admit
those members who were clearly elected &C.
cording to the expressed decision Of the Su
preme Court. He moved that the House 60
into committee of the whole and consider the
cases. This Legislature, he said, ought mot
to take single step until even-handed justice
is done. The House refused to 60 into com.
mittee of the whole, only Eve voting in the
affirmative, and the matter. was referred to
the Committee on Elections when such com.
mittee is appointed.
Mr.. Di,hey remarked that the Supreme
Court had nothing to do with the action of
the Legislature, which drew forth defenceof
the Court from Mr. Hale and plea that
constitutional barriers be not swept away.
He said the election of officials, under the
laws passed by that body, as now constituted,
would not be legal. At 8, p. NJ, the House
adjourned.
The Portland Argus Of the 9th, contained
statement from Thomas B. Swami and
others, that bribes of money had been offered
them by agents of the Republican party to
resign their seats in the Legislature The
signers of these cards also declared their in-
tention to take the money "and thus show to
the people the fraud and corruption Of the
Republican party"
On Thursday, both branches Of the Legis.
loture assembled quietly at 10 A. NJ, in the
presence of much smaller number ofspecta-
tors than on the preceding day. In the Sen.
ate, Senator Hobson offered resolution for
the appointment of o joint committee of both
Houses to investigate charges of attempted
bribery of members of the Legislature since
the receipt by them of their certificates The
resolution was opposed By the Republican
Senators on the ground that no bribery Of
Senators had been charged. If members Of
the House had been bribed, the investiga-
ton should begin there. The resolution was
adopted. No other business Of Importance
was transacted.
In the House the journal Of the previous
days proceedings was read, which revealed
the fact that none of the officers voted for
had received more than ~ votes. Mr. Hale
announced the presence of sixty Republicans
with certificates who Reie ready to be quali-
fed. Acting Governor Lawson refused TO
qualify them at present, as he did not know
the extent of his powers in that direction, but
said he would inform himself The House
then adjourned. .s..l y,E
At the opening of the Senate on Friday,
but one Republican appeared and took his
seat. The vote on the bribery resolution was
reconsidered and the resolution was recon.
mitted. A committee was appointed on the
Gubernatorial votes and alsoone on the Sem
atorial votes. The latter will proceed at once
with its duty.
Seventy.two members only appeared IN
their seats in the House, all fusionists. The
House attempted to exclude all but official
reporters, but several were smuggled in.
Thomas B. Swami, of Minot, rose and read
statement that one thousand dollars had been
paid him not to appear at the organisation
of the Legislature. He stated that the mon
ey had been paid him by Wallace R. White,
Of Winthrop. and that. he (Swann) should
not claim it. Mr.. Hartman of Kennebunk,
stated that the same offer had been made to
him by Mr.. White.
Startling developments are expected when
the bribery committee gets to work.
1t is stated that the Republicans propose to
test the legality Of the organization Of the
House and bring the matter before the Su-
preme Court, one way mentioned being by an
Injunction to prevent the Treasurer Of the
State from paying the mileage AMI salaries of
the members.
Early Friday morning, Maj. Gen. Cham
berlaip issued general order, stating that in
view of the extraordinary situation now pre-
sented at the seat of government, he would
assume command and protect the public prop.
erty and institutions of the State in trust for
the people, until the Governors successor has
been legally elected and duly qualified. By
this order, General Chamberlain assumes
temporarily the Office of Governor and com.
mander-in. Chief The entire police force at
the State House was changed, those indicated
by General Chamberlain taking the place of
those who have been drilling there for several
weeks. The change was quietly made.
An Augusta dispatch of the 9th, to the
Boston Herald says:
The feeling of doubt and distrust which
prevails has increased rather than diminished
within twenty -four hours. The military pow
er, though no troops are called out, is becom-
i6g unusually conspicuous for Maine Gen.
Chamberlain il in constant consultation with
the civil authorities. Gen. John Marshal
Brown, of his staff arrived from Portland this
morning, and other army officers are expect
ed to-day. A conference at Blaine's house
lasted until late hour this morning. Teams
we're coming and going to and from his house
as late as one o'clock. In the State House.
Just beyond, all was quiet, the principal Offices
being brilliantly lighted. No men were visi.
BILE, but men were there. At the Augusta
House every person who entered or went out
up to 2 o'clock at least was an object of sus-
picion and closely watched until his business
was known. This morning the politicians are,
somewhat nervous, and the Fusionists little
panicky. Some of them are anticipating
struggle for the possession Of the House, while
all are eager for the promised bribery revela.
tons. This morning, when the House met,
no Republican was in the hall, and Mr.. Locke
was the only one in the Senate. This at once
gave clew to the Republican policy. AS
soon as the reading of the journal was finished,
Swami, of Mechanics Falls, rose to ques-
ton of privilege and gave the story of the at
tempt to bribe him.
An Augusta dispatch of Saturday says
there were but 81 members in their seats when
the House was called to order. The Repub-
l;oeno ,uoro oil ohaont At 9.20 n m the