The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1910-06-09
"reminiscences of 1876.

there was apathy among RepuDHcanS
throughout the State that we did not
understand. We were in Charleston
on special election day and on no
previous or later visits was the good
old city quieter. Afterward We learn
ed from Judge T. J. Mackey the
cause why the Republican vote was
so small. Just here let US digress to
state that Judge Mackey was one of
the most interesting and interested
personages of that period. His life
was one of adventure from the begin
ming of his career, as a soldier with
Mexico, to its close in Washington
last year, when it was stated that all
the income he had for his support as
the infirmities Of age multiplied and
increased was his Mexican war pen
sion of twenty dollars a month. He
was a kinsman of E. w. NJ. Mackey,
speaker of the Chamberlain house,
but there existed no love between
them. In the campaign of 1877,
Judge Mackey though a Republican
and holding the office of circuit Judge
through his election by Republican
legislature, aligned himself enthusi-
astically with the Democracy in sup
port and advocacy of the Hampton and
Home Rule movement. When the spe-
cial elections were ordered in 1877,
Judge Mackey, as he told us, was the
head of the Union League in South
Carolina and he ordered it closed.
That organization had up to that
time had absolute control of the Re-
publican vote in the rural sections
of the State. 1t was also the news
bureau through which the masses of
the Republican voters received in
structions and information, and it's
closing by order of Judge Mackey
ended its meetings and it's political
power. Judge Mackey was the only
Republican circuit Judge reelected
by the Democratic Legislature.
The session was necessarily lengthy,
for eight years of reckless govern
mental extravaganza had brought the
State to the very verge of ruin, made
it's name almost a by-Word and re-
proach and lowered. appallingly the
standards of official character and
conduct. The manner in which the
Legislature measured up to the weight
lest responsibilities that ever chal-
lenged an American legislature is
now matter of recorded history,
to be found in the printed proceed
ings in the libraries of the State, and
her lawyers.
All the State officers of that re-
naissance have passed to the higher
life, but their names and records are
worthy to be deep carved in the gran
ite wall of the capitol, to be preserved
in the hearts and memories of those
that inherit the better government
and purer citizenship accomplished
through the sacrifice and service of
the men of rs.
We give their names and after
works a last publication.
Governor, Wade Hampton, U. S.
Senator, Government Rail Road d.
rector by appointment of Grover
Cleveland.
Lieutenant Governor, w. D. Simp-
son, Governor, Chief Justice. He was
succeeded as Governor by Thomas B.
Jeter, President pro tenn Of the Sen
ate.
Comptroller General, Johnson Ha-
good, Governor.
Superintendent of Education, Hugh
S. Thompson, Governor. Assistant
Secretary of the United States Treas
ury, New York financier.
Secretary of State, R. NJ. Simmons.
Attorney General, James Conner.
Adjutant General, E. w. Noise.
State Treasurer, S. L. Leaphart.
The Barnwell delegation serving
during 1861 consisted Of:
Senator Jones NJ. Williams, a plan
ter of large possessions, a citizen OF
great usefulness and deserved popu-
larity and uplifting influence. His
heart was not robust and the expos
ures and excitement of that. historic
winter were thought to have fastened
his death. He was succeeded by Col.
T. J. Counts, one of the most remark
able men physically and Intellectually
that Barnwell has ever honored.
Capt. Isaac Bamberg was chair
man of the house delegation, having
received the largest vote in general
election. In army and civil life he
embodied the best virtues of the high
est patriotic citizenship. AS mem
ber of the commission to investigate
l. ~ %o