The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-11-24

democrat was being roughly handled on
the streets of the town by radicals. The
young men of the audience became at
once highly excited. There was Il de-
cided movement to rush In a body to the
relief Of the comrade in town. General
Hampton slowly walked off the orat3r's
stand and mingling with the men. OBJ
jected in firm tones to any such course
as that threatened. He said it was his
meeting, that he had a fixed policy to
pursue, and that he, moreover. claimed
the right to lead any action taken to
rescue from peril any supporter of MIS-
Hampton was elected by more Than
1000 majority.
The day for the Inauguration of the
governor at Columbia arrived. The cere-
mony had always been performed in the
capitol--"state house," as the parlance
goes in South Carolina The election for
the House of Representatives had been
very close. The dispute involved the
seats from Laurens and Edgefield coun-
ties, but the democrats were sure of their
claim.
| The night before the legislature was by
| law required to meet, the garrison of fed
eral troops in Columbia sent a full de-
| tachment to occupy the state house.
Armed sentinels stood at every door of
entrance. This was precaution to keep
the Hampton legislature out of their
seats.
At IL on the next day the Hampton
House of Representatives formed in line
away from the state house, with the
members from Laurens and Edgefield file
leaders. They marched in close double
column to the main entrance, between
the soldiers stationed there. without being
halted. They pushed their way through
the hundreds of excited people packing
the lobby. They reached tho door of the
hall of representatives where guards, with
crossed bayonets, blocked the way.
Halt" came from the officer in charge
Soldiers with fixed bayonets line the al
ley through which they had passed up to
the door. The members from Laurens
and Edgefield presented their certificates
of election. There was a whispered con-
ference between the officer outside and
some unseen person within. The column
was turned back by the soldiers.
The Hampton representatives went to
another hall in the city, took the oath of
office, elected their speaker and adj
journed
On Novembts 30. these legislators met
by prearrangement, in squads, ON DIFF
different streets, watches were set, 6is-
tances reckoned on At the signal all
squads walked rapidly for the state house
The doorkeeper closed the door to the
way upon pressure The Hampton repre-
sentatives entered and took their seats.
all on one side of the aisle Only few
persons were found inside, General Will
liam II. Wallace of the army of northern
Virginia, had been elected speaker. He
took the speakers seat and called the
House to order.
In a short time the republican repre-
sentatives entered and took their seats
on the opposite side of the hall. Republic
can Speaker Mackey. scalawag, addressed
General Wallace.
"Sir, 7 will be obliged to you for that
chair
"Sir: This is the chair of the speaker of
the House which is already in session."
was the answer.
Another chair was brought in and Mac
key called his House to order
1t was understood that night attack
would be made on the Hampton House,
for they did not intend TO adjourn. Dem
ocrats prepared scaling ladders, to come
from outside to their support and all other
necessary preparations of defense We're
made that afternoon. For some unknown
reason, the attack was abandoned.
Several members that had gone with the
radicals came in and Joined the Hampton