The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-04-27
WINNING THE WALLACE HOUSE
A Statement Of Facts by One Who
Knows How Samps Bridges
Was Secured.

Y Some time ago, Dow, Jr., wrote an
article for the State, giving the inside
story Of the "Winning of the Wal
lace House, For good and valid
reasons, I suppose, it was not pub
isehed. That paper may have doubt
ed the truth of the matter and feared
a suit for libel or prosecution OF
some of its friends for bribery. What
I write is truth, but those concerned
who wish to deny it, can do so.
Col. Keitt gave a graphic account
of what he knew of the ''getting over
of Bridges" but that was all ancient
history, and published in all of the
papers of the day. Then Logan Wyse
comes forward and says, he knew
where "Tony hid the wedge.' But
he didn't tell.
Well, Loge is great, good fellow,
veteran and Democrat to the bone,
but during those stirring scenes Of
rs, Loge like Dow, went too often
to Abram Stork's, and that makes US
all forget.
Jokes aside, here are the facts, and
those who think they know better.
should tell it better.
The State, protected by Q. S.
troops, had been hopelessly Repubh-
can during the whole Of reconstruc-
ton days. It had submitted to rob-
berry, negro domination aid infamy,
till forbearance ceased to be "a virtue.
An informal meeting of the leading
men Of the State was held in Colum-
bia; there they declared for reform
or revolution. Gen. Hampton was
brought back from Mississippi to lead
the Democratic forces, then, if that
failed, we'll
The Democrats had learned some
tricks from the Carpetbaggers, and
no doubt there was some "ballot box
stufffiing.'' Anyway when the cleo
ton was over, both sides claimed a
victory. Contesting delegations were
sent to the Legislature from most Of
/ the counties. The Democrats were
the first in the Legislative hall and
elected as speaker, Brigadier Gen.
W. Fl. Wallace, of Union.
In a few minutes thereafter, the
Republicans chose E. ". NJ. Mackey,
\ of Charleston, their presiding officer.
Il Both sides undertook to transact bus
mess, but confusion became more
confounded, the longer this dual as
semblage sat. The Republicans
brought from Charleston, the "Honk,
A Dory,' club, gathering of the
worst element in that city, composed
of cut-throats, thieves, scallawags and
negroes, to occupy the galleries and
should trouble begin Everything
pointing that way,) this club was to
clean up all the Democrats IN the
House. These facts were all published
in the papers of the time. Whether
: to avoid conflict Or overawe the
Democrats, the Republican Governor
Chamberlain, had posted at the en-
trance Of the State House, guards Of
y. S. soldiers and forbid any to en-
ter, unless they had credentials from
the returning board, or commission
ers of election. These the great ma
iority of Democrats did not have.
Speaker Wallace called his follow
ers together at the Carolina Hall. He
had no quorum, neither had his ad-
versary. Two negroes from Berkeley
came over to the Wallace House
early, before they knew the price OF
votes. This brought the two houses on
an exact equal, 81 and 81. About this
time telegram from President Grant
was received BY the authorities, that
he would recognize as "de facto' the
first government that had quorum.
Not Hayes, as friend Loge thinks,
that worthy coming IN months after
wards. You see what effect Abram
Stork can have on ones recollection.
The National Democratic party on
" lacked the vote Of one more state
to make Tilden president. There were
millions at stake. South Carolina,
Florida and Louisiana were the three
states with contesting electoral votes.
One vote could make South Carolina
Democratic and South Carolina Dem
oeratic would change the government
of the United States. This accounts
for the State being flooded with
Northern money during the campaign.