The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-07-14
THE Two GOVERNORS.
THE CLOSE OF GOVERNOR THoMPsoNs
ADMINISTRATION.

ADMINISTRATION.
Governor Thompson Resigns and
Governor Sheppard Assumes the
Functions of OHice.-.The Truly
Democratic Simplicity of the Ger.
cmOnics Observed on the Occasion.
Columbia Registe,.
A few minutes before u NJ. yesterday the
concentrating about the corridors Of the Capt.
tOl in the vicinity Of the Governors office; in-
dcated that tho expected change In tl,e exec
utive hend of the State government was about
Governor Thompson had been in his Office
from an carly hour in the morning perform
ing the final acts which wore to close his long
and successful administration.
Lieutenant Governor john c. sheppard,
who had arrived in Columbia ON Thursday
night from his home In Edgeheld and taken
unat tended from the hotel 10 the State House
about an hour before, stopping along the street
to exchange hearty greetings with friends,
and having renShed the State House walked
Attorney General Miles from the Chambers
of tho Chief Justice to the Executive onice,
where, us the hour Of IL approached, he eis-;
g:igpd in pleasant chat with the retiring Gov.
ernor and the few friends there assembled.
a few moments later The company, who
were scattered In groups outside the Govern
Or s room came ln auu WHICH LuC City DClI aus
nuunced the hour Of noon there were present
in the room Governor Thompson, Lieutenant
Governor Sheppard, Chief Justice Simpson,
Attorney General Miles, Assistant Attorney
urer Richardron, Comptroller General Stoney,
Colonel A. Z. Butler, Railroad Commissioner
Bonhall, superintendent of Education Cow.
ard, Major Khett, General K. Seig1ing OF Char
lesion, Col. F. w. McMaster, DIR. Robertson,
President McBryde OF The South Carolina COL
lego. Major A. u. Goodwin, Major Marion
Saunders, and J. r. Keels, Esq, OF Sumter, u
number of clerks from the several DEPART
ments. the reporters, a number Of prominent
citizens and four boys, who in their persons
happily represented the former pupils, Of Gov,
erhor Thompson and the coming constituency
AS soon us the clock ceased striking the
| hour, Governor Thomp pson rose from his seat
at the desk with Il folded document IN his
| hand-all the company, who were seated, rls-2
! ing ut the same time-and the Governor, adj
dressing Governor Sheppurd, said, as he hand
| cd him the document: -
"GovERNoR SHEPPARD: have the honor.
to inform you that have today filed my res
ignation rs Governor of South Carolina"
The resignation reads as follows: 80.
| COLUMBIA, >. c., July 10, 1886, 8
| "Havng been appointed by the President OF
the United States ain Assistant Secretary Of
the Treasury, and having accepted said office,
| l do hereby resign the otticeot The Governor
.'HUGH S. THomPsoN."
The resignation was accompanied by the
following ietter: {, ~ -, N ,ooe -
"MY DEAR SIR: 1t becomes my duty, to fn-l
| form you that have this day resigned as
Governor Of South Carolina.
| permit ME to express the hope that your
administration Of the Office of Goyernor
which thus devoivcs upon you, will meet full
ly your desires and the expectations Of the
people OF the State. ss.
"Im scvering the official relations which for
| nearly four years have brought me into cou-
slant intercourse with the other State officers,
| l desire to express my high appreciation Of
their uniform courtesy to Inc, and of the zenl,
intelligence and fidelity with which they have
discharged their duties. To them IL largely
due whatever measure OF success has bccn at
Iuineu in the efforts 10 secure wise, Just and
efficient administration OF the State govern
mcnt
rsposed y in me- me. and for lhe honors the have.
conferred upon me: with the earnest, hope
that harmony may prevail In all the councils
Of the State, and that peace. prosperity @ ana
| mon wealth, l have the honor to be, very re-
"HuGH s. THOMPSON"
ITO His Eycellency JOHN e. SHEPPARD, Gov
.ernur South Carolina
Upon receiving the document from the
hands of Governor Thompson, GoSernor
SHEPPARD turned TO Chief Justice Simpson,
tUs who Stood behind him, and said: Your Hon
| or ain prepared to take the oath OF office.
The Chief Justice then presented the BOOK ,
upUn which the Governor ltld his manu- WHO
| the following oath was rccited;
i You do soletnnly swear that you are duly
qualified, according 20 The Constitution OF the
United States and Of this State, toexercfse the
duties of the office to which you have succeed-
cd, and that you will discharge. To- the best of
! your abilities, the duties thereof: that you
recognize the supremacy OF the ConstlenIion
and laws of the United States over the Com
| stituLion and laws of any State. and that you
will support. protect and defend the CpnStitu-
ton Of the United states and the Constttu-
i ton of South Carolina, as ratified by the pco-
pie on the sistoenth day Of April; iooo; SO
Atter which the oath against duelling was
also read. rs follows:
You do soleinniy swear that you nave Ios
since the first day OF January, 1881, engaged in
Il duel within or without the State, either as
principal or second, or been present thereat as
IL parry thereto, in behalf OF either OF IN the
pTin cIpals in suclrliuei, and tlnt you Will not.
during the term Of Office 10 which you nave
succeeded, engage in duel, as principal, or
aid and nbeL in such duel AZ second or as u
party thereto, in behalf OF either principal or
otherwise"
Governor sheppard kissed the Book, and
the simple ceremony was over.
Both the Governors then received the near
r. Is cungra, II ations of all present. each In turn
shaking hands and giving expression 70 some
, brief word of compliment and good viii.
The last official acl of Governor thompson
before rrSigning WAS TO sign The commission
of CAPTAIN l.. D. Childs as Captain OF the Rich
land Volunteer Rifles. of this city.
i The first official act or Governor Snepparu
aTLrr taking the oath Of office was to sign and
issue proclamation ANNOUNCING his tnduc-
Lion into Office. which will be found In It's pro-
per place in the columns OF the Regtster To-
day.
| Thus ended the simple, unostentatious ccrc:
m.ny by which the i1nporlant functions t1
the h glicst office in the State were transferred
from one citizen to another.
AS soon as it was known that the net was
lconsummated Il salute of twenty-five guns
was fired in front Of the State House by de-
tachnlcuL OF the Columbia Flying Artillery,
under mmaad of Lieutenant John Stork,
who had volunteered to perform the patrtotic
service. The detachment consisted OF licu-
tenant St0rli, Quarter Master Sergeant Wm.
| Buuchclle. ana gunners James Dupnfng,
james McGorty, Thompson Shelton anu n.
, h. Perry.
| The Bible Society.
The Sixty-third annual meeting OF the Alb
herilIc District Bible Society VIII convene
ID. w in the Methodist church in Abbeyille
Village at Ii \. NJ, on Wednesday, the 29h