The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-11-22
DRAMATIC INCIDENTS OF
WALLACE HOUSE SESSIONS
Capture of the State House, Double
Session and Withdrawal of Wallace
House to Carolina Hall-Some Trad
ing in Election or Judges
Mackey and Willard-Hampton and
Wallace.
(By Capt. Charles Petty,
Spartanburg, S. c.

when request is made to veterans
of any cause to give "reminiscences of
deeds of which they were a part.
AS to the Wallace House can give
only few of the incidents which ap-
peared at the time highly dramatic
as well as important. The organiza-
tion took place in the old Carolina
Hall, where sessions were held for a
week or longer. The Mackey House
was holding the State House. It was
considered best by many of the MEM
bers of the Wallace House to move
over, and take charge of the State
House. While discussing that ques-
tion Gen. John B. Gordon, of Atlanta,
made an eloquent speech and advised
the taking possession of the State
House at any cost. BY boldly assert
ing our rights, we stood the best
chance of securing them.
The Famous Double Session.
1t was decided to march over and
occupy the hall. That was considered
critical period. We entered and then
followed the famous double session for
several days and nights without ad-
journment. Many of the members
never left the hall day or night, ex-
cept for meals. Mackey occupied one
chair and Gen. Wallace the other.
That was the most trying ordeal
through which the Wallace House
passed. 1t will never be forgotten by
the members, who remained there all
the time. Often two speakers would
be on the floor using all the lung
power they possessed at the same
time. That double session, with the
probability of an awful slaughter at
any moment, was more terrible than
Gen. Sherman's idea of war.
Northern Spectators.
About that time delegation came
down from the Northern States to see
what was going on. They wishtd to
see for themselves. They left with the
impression that the Wallace House
would win in the end. Amongst the
visitors was handsome young man
by the name of Mclean. He is now
an honored and honorable Judge of
New York, and likes to talk to his
South Carolina friends about his visit
to Columbia.
Act of Diplomacy.
1t was decided in a few days that
it would be better to return to Caro-
lima Hall; and after going back we
remained there until about the 20-25th
of December, when we took recess,
subject to the call of Governor Hamp-
ton. Then began the work of diplo>
macy and little political trading,
which resulted favorably to the Wal
lace House.
When we met after the holidays we,
had possession of the State. 1t was
then that another crisis was brought
90 the front. Some of the members
and outside advisers urged that all the
judges be thrown overheard and that
new straight out" ones be elected.
There were conservative members who
considered it better for various rea-
sons to retain some of the old judges.
Election of Judges.
Mackey, the Dugald Dalgetty or
politics, was thus. retained. The sharp
contest came when it was pronosed t..
re-elect Judge Willard. His
ability and fairness were recognized.
His official conduct was clean. The
fight over his election lasted some
time. When the critical time came he
lacked only two votes of election. The
balloting went on hour after hour
with the same result The writer,
perhaps, has the record OF that last
caucus, when he was elected. About
o'clock in the morning a passenger
train was expected from Charlotte,
and it was known that two or three
Willard members were on board. A
carriage was sent for them to come in
a hurry. But before they had time
to arrive another ballot was taken,
when Willard received one or two ma
jority. was secretary of the eau
Gus. Where the votes came from /
never knew. 1t was an honest count
and no trickery about it. I never
regretted the election of Judge Will
lard.
During that crisis of the State
Wade Hampton looms up in memory
as the great and wise and conserva>
tive leader. The people all trusted in
him and listened to his words of coun-
sci. To him more than any other
one man is due the rescuing of the
State from its shame and degrade
tin,