The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-12-27

and 40 or so negroes, occupied the
right of the hall. Resolutions and
motions were offered before each body
and were discussed separately at the
same time. Sometimes there were
two brilliant speakers up at the same
time, one before the Wallace house
body and one before the Mackey
house body, discussing the merits of
some bill or resolution, or the sup
posed merits of some bill or resolu-
ton. This kind of legislation con-
tinued all day. Later at night there
was cessation and 'lembers lounged
in their seats, or sought rest on the
floor, meals being sent in to us. The
Mackey house members, mostly ne
groes, who are born songsters, en-
livened us with loud songs, such as
"Hold the Fort" etc.
The speakers, or substitutes from
among their members, occupied the
speakers chairs continuously, and we
kept our places ready for anything
that might turn up.
This kind of legislation was carried
on until the next day, when it ad-
journed, and Immediately met again.
The roll was called, quorum an
nounced, and similar legislation to
that of the day before carried on,
but we had an accession to the ranks
of the Wallace house in the persons
of Thomas Hamilton and N. B. Myers
both of Beaufort county, both ne
groes and both having been serving in
the Mackey body. At night Hamilton
de a speech in which he explained
his reasons and justified himself for
leaving the Mackey house. This ses-
sion continued like the preceding one,
all night-all continued in good hu-
NOR; the negroes were jolly. As the
United States troops were close at
hand and sustaining Chamberlain leg
islators, of course ours could not be
effective, and we were merely passing
off time holding the fort" Sometimes
at night We had visitors.
A Mixed Pair. M
1t was the practice when either of
the speakers desired to vacate his seat
he would substitute member in his
place, and as far the greater number
of the Mackey house were blacks, it
was often the case, chiefly at night,
that one white and one black were
seen at the speakers desk.
The motony of the long hours of
the night was relieved by fine singing
from the Mackey side of the
house. Judge T. j. Mackey, who was
bright and witty, would sometimes
come in, his visits being usually at
night about II o'clock
One night, while this strange dual
performance of two houses sitting,
one with a white speaker and the
other with negro, Judge Mackey
came in. Gentlemen" he said, "I
perceive that the State of South
Carolina has brought forth twins, but
the chastity of the good mother is
under suspicion because they are of
different colors."
This kind of legislation and con-
lition of affairs lasted until Monday,
December a, 1876, when information
was received that large constabu-
larry force, backed by Chamberlain,
who was still holding on to the Office
of governor, he in turn being backed
by the commanding officer of the gar
rison who had his troops ready at
hand in the State house, would during
the day enter the hall and attempt to
eject from it certain of our members.
Although we were well armed, and
prepared to resist, and around Colum-
bia were citizens of the State, veter-
ans used to the conflict of arms and
| heartily tired of the robber rule of
reconstruction times, and sufficient to
have annihilated the troops, we con-
sidered it unwise to remain longer
in the State house. We were led
y our speaker, General Wallace, him
| self a veteran of the Confederate
States army, who arose from his seat
and said: Gentlemen Of the house
of representatives: l have just been
officially informed that there are now
in readiness upwards of one hundred
men VINO are about to enter the hall
for the purpose of ejecting certain
members upon this floor. The men,
bers for whom it is intended that the
force shall be applied have been -ec-
ognized by this house as members,
and we dispute the authority of the
State government to eject from this
floor any member of this house upon
the ground that he is not a legal
member of the house of representa-
tives of the State of South Carolina.