The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1909-05-05
II WAS DONE
Bribery Used by The Democrats
to Win a Member.
LEAF FROM THE PAST

House to Make the Wallace House
Legal in the Great Battle TO,
the State.
The following is the story of the
Winning of the Wallace House."
as told in the Newberry News and
Herald:
The State, protec+nS ~ y. S.
troops, had been hope Republi-
can during the whole u reconstruc-
ton days. 1t had submitted to rob-
berry, negro domination and infamy,
till forbearance ceased to be a vir-
tue. An informal meeting of the
leading men of the State was held
in Columbia; there they declared
for reform or revolution. General
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 stuffing." Anyway when the
election 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 Brigadiel
Gen. w. H. Wallace, of Union.
In a few minutes thereafter the
! Republicans chose E. W. NJ Mackey,
of Charleston, their presiding officer.
Both sides undertook to transact bus
iness, but confusion became more
confounded, the longer this dual as
semblage sat. The Republicans
and negroes, to occupy the galleries
A Dory" club, gathering of the
worst element in that city, composed
of cut-throats, thieves, scallawags
and negroes, to occup the galleries
and should trouble begin everything
pointed that way this club was to
clean up all the Democrats in the
house. These facts were all publish
ed in the papers Of the time. Wheth-
er to avoid a conflict of overawe the
Democrats. the Republican Governor
Chamberlain, had posted at the en-
trance of the State House, guards of
=. S. soldiers and forbid any to en-
| ter. unless tEer had credentials from
the returning board, Or commission
ers of election. These the great ma
jority of Democrats did ret have
Speaker Wallace called his follow
ors together at the Carolina Hall
He had no quorum, neither had his
adversary. Two negroes from Berk-
eley came over to the Wallace House
early, before they knew the price Of
votes This brought the two houses
on an exact equal, 62 and So. About
this time telegram from President
Grant was received by the authori-
ties, that he would recognize as "de
facto" the first government that had
a quorum. Not Hayes, as friend
Loge thinks, that worthy coming in
months afterwards. You see what
effect Abraham Storke can have or
ones recollection.
The National Democratic party on
| ly lacked the vote of one more state
to make Tilden president. There
were millions at stake. South Caro-
lima, Florida and Louisiana were the
three States with contesting cleo
toral votes. One vote could make
South Carolina Democratic and South
Carolina Democratic would change
| the government Of the United States.
This accounts for the State being
flooded with Northern money during
the campaign.
The white members of every con-
testing county centered upon some
one negro in the Mackey House to
try and bribe or beg him over. But
the Republican organization was as
solid as stone wall.
The delegation from Newberry
tackled Samps Bridges. He put his
ear to the ground and smiled. He
even listened to overtures, but the
gulf was wide yet. Mai. L. B. Maj
Pett and Capt. U. B. Whites from
Bridges home town we're brought
to the capital to help convert Bride
es. a conference was agreed upon
| at the hotel. Bridges was there, the
delegation and the two men men
toned above. No one else, Log7
to the contrary notwithstanding
sparring was cautious at first, bur.
became more reckless as time wore
on. Bridges did not deny that he
was in the market. and had a price.
But" Bridges said. "if go in
to the Wallace House one OF you
white men will have to give way.
There can be but three members
from our county and will, under no
circumstance. give up my seat
| Colonel Keitt. with patriotic zeal.
seldom equalled. said "you shall have
nv seat Then the Colonel LEFT
ana MS lulOl uld lIo4A SSoSSS'
Y. !. Pope. one Of the white dele
gates, attended to the legal and. ar
eumentive end of the discussion.
while Major Mafett and Captain
Whites looked after the persuasive
and reasoning end.
Y. J. Pope put some figures on
niece Of paper and showed them to
Bridges. He only smiled. didn't even
shake his head. then some more hg-
ures we're made.
That woke up Bridges horse sense
gentlemen, let me tell you; l ain t
no cheap man; know what an
worth and I tnow what you car
: paw
This brought up more talk. The
figures had started at $500, sooe
$500. It was then Bridges woke VI
5 good. Pope put down $1,000. Thl: