Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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c%n&txm.i^j^^y* JAS.A.HOYT, } E. B.MUBBAY,} *? THOTSDAY M0BNIN6, MARCH 8, 1877. TOLL HAMPTON BE SUSTAINED? TThfe is the question pervading the minds of the people of South Carolina at the present moment, and every item of intelligence is eagerly sought to obtain a satisfactory answer. The unexpected result of the Presidential scramble, after months of weariness and impatience, has caused a feverish anxiety to pervade all classes in regard to the solution of the troubles in this State. Impressed with the belief that the main dependence of Governor Hampton was in the support and adherence of the people to. his right ful claims as the Chief Magistrate, the tax-paying element has nobly responded to the request made for a voluntary con? tribution on account of taxes, presenting an examble quite unparalleled in the history; of ordinary governments, and the official exhibit made to-day shows inoon tcstibly that the monetary interests of the State are firmly united in support of the, Hampton administration. It is neatly three months since Governor 'Hi. ? ..'1 ' ' Hampton was inaugurated, and constant, unremitting efforts have been made to secure a decision of the questions in? volved from the Supreme Court. That tribunal of last resort has broken down from various causes, which it is unnec? essary to recapitulate in this connection, and although one of its members has striven earnestly to uphold and. maintain it3 dignity, power and influence, the fas? tenings are unmoored, and no longer will its present organization command respect or inspire the. slightest confidence. It matters not whether any future decisions may be made by this tribunal, affecting the grave questions taken before it, in every conceivable form, during these weary months of doubt and uncertainty. ' The patient waiting of the people has been rewarded with dilatoriness, imbe? cility and vexatious procrastination ? Their conservatism has been imposed upon, and the time is at hand when res? olute determination should be manifested in making plain to those concerned that we- wiU never yield one iota of the victory fairly won at the polls last fall. The person who most needs to be convinced of this determination is the usurper, Ex Governor Chamberlain, who is yet en? sconced in the State House-surrounded by a legion of negro constabulary, and supported by a cordon of Federal bayo? nets. He has been often reminded that the people of South Carolina will never consent to an acknowledgment of his authority in the future, and a vastly duller intellect than Chamberlain's ought to recognize the stern logic conveyed'by the emphatic denial of supplies for the support of his pretended government. He cannot labor under the delusion that aught can possibly occur which will se? cure to him the unrestrained exercise of official power in this' State. No force exists in all the wide range of human expedients which can make him ruler over this people,' without producing an? archy, distraction and endless confusion. Security to life and, property would be swept away as in a breath when such a result was attained, and if Chamberlain really believes what he has recently ut? tered, that "all our interests demand re? pose, peace, security and concord," then it is befitting that he resign all preten? sions, to the high office degraded by him in-the past, for none of these desirable results will ever accrue to the citizens of South Carolina under his rule and au? thority. He certainly does not imagine for a moment that any power on earth can reinstate him with the white citizens, and he is stupid beyond endurance unless he can perceive by this time that a large. portion of the colored population are firmly linked together in support of the Hampton Government. We do not be? lieve . that Chamberlain entertains an honest;-conviction that his claims will ever be recognized, or that he has any expectation of resuming the authority of Governor, and none of his recent ut? terances?not even the elaborate "opin? ion" of Judge Wrights-convey the faint-, est idea that he claims to have been elected over Governor Hampton. Hi3 position seems , to.indicate a desire to get back on his title derived by the election of 1874. .President Hayes will be expected to deal promptly with the practical question, whether or not the local governments of the Southern States are to depend upon his will and pleasure. Judging from his inaugural address,'we may not anticipate any interference by him with the existing state of affairs in South Carolina, so far as. the dual governments are concerned. His administration must take cognizance of the fact, howevor, that United States troops are employed in sustaining the slender thread of official authority rep? resented by Mr. Chamberlain, and it must be sanctioned or. repudiated by bis direction. The removal of troops from the capitol building will virtually end the difficulties in this State, and we are sanguine that the necessary orders will speedily follow an examination into the ? facts by the President. Upon a refusal or neglect to remove this military inter? ference with local affairs, we think Gov. Hampton should issue a proclamation ' against the forced occupation of the State House, sharply defining the issues be? tween himself and Chamberlain, and commanding the dispersion of all pre? tended authority within thirty days. Such action would resound throughout the country, and operate to awaken Pres? ident Hayes to a sense of uue regard for the maintenance of local self-government, -which is extolled so highly in his inau? gural address. As coramander-in-chief j ?of the.militia, the Governor can compel obedience to his proclamation, and avoid? ing conflict with the troops, the chief conspirators against his authority can be arrested without the slightest disturbance of the public peace. Chamberlain, Gleaves, E. W, M. Mackey, Elliott, Dann, Cardoza aod the rest of the con? spirators will quickly be drawn into the meshes of the law or ficd safety in an inglorioas flight. Mr Mr. .lohe C.jSheppard, of EdgefieVL, | has been elected by the Literary Societies of the I^iiherah College, at Walhalla, to deliver the anniversary address before them in the coming June. Mr. flheppard has accepted the invitation,. HATES' INAUGURAL. The full text of President Hayes' in? augural address appears in this isssue. We are not disappointed with its utter? ances, which are confined, to general re? marks upon the political condf?on??f the country. His lengthy refraiii* upon the necessity for local self-government $a the Southern States does not.foresbadbw any definite policy, and we must wait until some decided action is taken by President Hayes upon specific measures before we can fairly estimate his inten? tions. The situation in' Louisiana and South Carolina confronts him squarely at the threshold of his administration, and the issue cannot be avoided. We do not expect him to prolong the military inter? ference with local governments, which I has brought disgrace upon the adminis? tration of his predecessor. But this I question must be solved at an early day, and a non-committal attitude cannot be maintained many weeks. Judge Mackey went to Washington last week to witness the inauguration of his especial friend Hayes. So did Judge Carpenter, who has known "Roother fraud" a long time. We will guarantee that Judge Mackey does not allow the opportunity to escape him, by reminding Mr. Hayes that he promised to recognize Governor Hampton in that famous inter? view ! It is difficult to predict the con? duct of Judge Carpenter, who seems to prefer fence-riding in these anomalous times. The Orangeburg News and Times makes an humble apology to the late Governor of South Carolina as follows: "We made one mistake in our editorial of last week. Chamberlain is not a scapegoat from a house of correction North, as stated; Had he ever been there it is claimed that j he would not have been the consummate I black-guard, liar and thief that he is." This ought to be considered a sufficient retraction, and remove any unkind feel? ings which, may have existed between.the parties in the past. Judge Willard's Opinion. Supreme Court?Ex parte Tilda Ste? phens, alias Tilda Norris?Opinion by WiZlard,A. J. A final order was made in this case on the 27th day of February last past, with the concurrence of Associate Justice Wright, at a conference of the court oh that day, from which the Chief Justice was absent1 by reason of severe1 illness: The order in question terminated' the present proceedings by habeas corpus by discharging the prisoner. At tho request of Associate Justice Wright, I suspended' the filing of the order until Saturday of this week. On Thursday an opinion was placed in my hand by the Clerk of the Court, purporting to be the opinion of Judge Wright, although not endorsed with his signature in the customary man? ner; This opinion was accompanied by a memorandum having the Signatare of Judge Wright, purporting to be a re voca? tion of the previous order in which he had concurred. 1 Without receiving any subsequent communication from Judge Wright, I attended the Court on Friday, the 2d day of March,- pursuant to adjournment . j It was my intention to express orally at that time the results to which I had arrived as to the questions involved in the case, but in consequence of the ab? sence of Judge Wright, the court was necessarily adjourned, and no opportuni? ty afforded for such statement I deem it important, in view ofthe important questions involved, deeply affecting the interest and feelings of the people of the State, and in view of the anomalous and unprecedented character of the recent proceedings taking place before a court of last resort, to put on record a brief statement of the results arrived at by myself, intending to place them in the form of a formal opinion at the earliest practicable moment: My conclusions are: 1. That, according to the returns of the managers of election in the several counties, made in duplicate, and one copy thereof transmitted, sealed, to the Secretary of State, and the other filed in the office of the respective clerks of the courts -of .the several counties, Wade Hampton received the highest number of votes for the office of Governor of this State at the election held on the 7th day of November last That such being the fact, he became Governor of this State by the direct de? claration of the constitution, contained in the following words: "The person having the highest number of votes shall be Governor;" there having been no con? test of the votes for Governor, recognized by a concurrent, resolution of the two houses of the.General Assembly, as pre? scribed by law, under the authority of the constitution, contained in these words: "Contested elections, for Gov? ernor shall be determined by the General Assembly in such manner as shall be pre? scribed by law." (Art 3, sec. 5.) ... That inasmuch as no contest .existed under the constitution, and no two per? sons had equally the highest number of votes, the General Assembly had no function to perform, except to establish by law a day on which he should be in? stalled; that day being required by the constitution to be during the first session of the Legislature. That the only object of the opening and publication of the returns was, in such a case, notice of the facts disclosed by the returns. I also conclude that the provision de? claring the person receiving the highest number of votes, according to the returns communicated to the Secretary of State, and filed with the clerks of the courts, is independent of that preceding it, pre? scribing the duties of tne Speaker of the House of Representatives, as it regards opening and publishing the returns in the presence of the houses; so that if the latter is unperformed the former is enti? tled to full force and effect. 2. I conclude that the acceptance by Mr. Chamberlain of the declaration of an unauthorized body to the effect that he was elected Governor, and taking the oath of office thereunder, was an unlawful usurpation of the office of Governor, in? consistent with the provisions of the constitution in reference to the right to hold over until his successor is elected, and duly qualified, and does not present a case for holding over within the con? templation and intent of the constitu? tion. 3. I conclude that Mr. Chamberlain is not capable of being duly recognized as de facto Governor, as he is without the recognition or co-operation of the popu? lar branch of the General Assembly, and by reason thereof incapable in point of fact to execute the functions of Gov? ernor. 4. I hold that no executive, legislative or judicial net is requisite to fulfil any condition, or remove any obstruction, impeding the full execution of the pur? pose and intent of the clause of the con? stitution declaring the person receiving the highest number of votes, to be Gov? ernor, and that Wade Hampton is enti? tled to claim the efficacy of that clause of the constitution, and in virtue thereof is Governor of the State of South Caroli? na, and his pardon duly issued is entitled to be respected. A. J. Willard, Presiding Justice. ? Died, if Pickens County, near I Eosley's Station, on /?t inst, Elijah Grif? fin, aged seventy-seven y<a/s. THE DRAINAGE LAW. Messrs." Editors: The recent law suit at Anderson between the County Commissioners as plaintiffs and other citizens as defendants, involving the de? tails of said law, induces me to make some comments on the spirit and pur? poses of said law, and especially as to as? sessments for expenses incurred in re? moving natural or artificial obstructions in our streams. The people, and especially the health officers of our County, should bear in mind, that the great cause which lead to the passage of said law was the general sickness which prevailed a few years ago in many neighborhoods of our County by reason of the malaria generated in the .vicinity of mill ponds and other obstruc? tions in many of our streams by reason of the sobbed and unhealthy condition of bottom lands caused mainly by said ob? structions. Many portions of onr County had become such great sufferers, in a sanitary point of view, by reason of such a condition of things, that it became a matter of general concern and a public necessity that something should be done to relieve onr citizens if anything were possible. Hence the passage of the drainage law?first, for Anderson County alone, and afterwards adopted by other counties also. But for the general sick? ness prevailing at the time, the passage of such a law, though demanded in an agricultural point of view, would have been deferred for many years. Taking this view of the origin and main purpose of the law, to-wit: the re? storation of the. general health of the County, permit me to suggest that our excellent County Commissioners, in the past, have never fully appreciated their responsibility as health officers in the ad? ministration of the law. They have heretofore saddled all the burdens of said law, not only the ditching of their own land, but, the expense of the removal of said natural or artificial obstruction, to wit?: mill-dams or shoals, upon the own? ers of the bottom lands lying above said obstructions. Is there any justice in such a construction of the law? Shall the owners of said lands be held respon? sible for the general health of the whole community, and be forced to provide the means, out of their own pockets, for all the expenses of the drainage of mid lands, .when the County Commissioners themselves, as health officers of the Coun? ty, have adjudged such drainage neces ,aary to restore and rescue the impaired 'health of the whole community. The bare statement of the case exhibits its un? fairness. As the whole County is more or less interested in the drainage of said lands as a health preserver, and as the whole community is to be benefitted by the removal of this fruitful source of sickness, then the County is bound, in justice, to assist the land-holders in said expensive undertakings. And, indeed, the third section of the bill evidently contemplated such assistance when it provided that the Commissioners at their discretion could transfer a portion of the expense to the County. And right here, in just such cases as the removal of dams or the blasting of shoals, which, in many instances, involves an expense which the land-holders, unaided, can ill afford to bear, is where, in my judgment, the pub? lic assistance should be rendered. The landholders are entirely willing to ditch their own lands at their own expense, but when, in addition to this heavy out? lay, . they are also to pay heavy assess? ments for the removal of such obstruc? tions, as I have enumerated, it is not only unfair, but it is absolutely ruinous, in a financial point of view, to any community that are thus taxed. Taking the law as it stands on the statute book, I lay down this proposition as incontrovertible, that the drainage of bottom lands had become a public necessity, demanded by the highest consideration for the public health, and sustained too by the judg? ment, of the best medical skill in the County, and, as a necessary consequence, if the public were to be benefitted as well as the indvidnal land-owners, it was evi? dently the intention of said drainage law that all the parties benefitted should bear a just proportion of the expense, leaving it to the judgment of the health officers to determine what that proportion should be. As this feature of the law has been entirely overlooked, so far, by the County Commissioners, the reBult has been, nat? urally, dissatisfaction, and an unreason? able burden imposed upon a portion of the community where tho whole are to be benefitted. T. H. R. JUDGE WRIGHT'S MOVEMENTS. a tbue history of the habeas cor? pus case?bull-dozing ax associ? ate justice of the supreme court. As a part of the history of the times, wo copy the account given by the corres? pondent of the Charleston Journal of Commerce as to the part borne by Asso? ciate Justice Wright in the recent habeas corpus case before the Supreme Court: Columbia, March 2. It is now definitely ascertained that Justice Wright has gone to Washington. Many different theories have been ad? vanced to account for the erratic action of Wright, and for his sudden disappear? ance. The Union-Herald (Chamberlain's organ) charges that he was induced to sign the first order by force, and duress and fear of a horrible death and destruction to "himself and many others." I have taken some pains to trace up his movements for three days?27th and 28th ultimo and the 1st, and present the facts, leaving the public to draw its own infer? ence. On the 27th he entered the con? sultation room of the Supreme Court shortly before the time fixed for the opening of the court. Iu response to Justice Willard's request to vote upon the decision, Wright positively refused to do so. He stated to Justice Willard that he fully concurred in his opinions and views; but that his life would be in dan? ger if he united in a decision that Hamp? ton was Governor. He stated that pres? sure came upon him from people of his own race, saying that large numbers of them?of all conditions and both sexes? had been, and constantly continued, call? ing upon him. He used the expression that the col? ored people would tear him to pieces if he signed such a decision. He continued talking in this way and refusing to vote or take any positive action until Justice Willard started to go into the court alone, at 1 o'clock, and deliver his opinion.? Just as he was opening the door Wright called him back and continued in the same strain. This was repeated three times; finally Justice Wright expressed his willingness to sign the order directing the release of Tilda Norris, but begged for postpouement, saying he desired to see Governor Hampton. The Court was accordingly adjourned until evening. Justice Wright imme? diately walked dowav.the>treetj,straight., towards Governor Hampton's office, and as soon as he could rid himself of two negroes who accompanied him, slipped into the executive? apartments through the hack way. Being'introduced to Gov? ernor Hampton, he opened the conversa? tion with tne declaration that if.'he fol? lowed the law he could only decide that he was Governor, and that he thought his election would be the best thing for his race; but that it would be at the sac? rifice of his life to render such a decision and remain in the State. The Governor rather made light of the idea of Wright's life being in danger, and told him that as far as that was .concerned he would guarantee him , protection; adding, that when he was forced to leave the State, he Governor Hampton, would leave also. Wright then said that he thought it safest for him to leave for a while at least after rendering such a de? cision. The Governor said there was ne objection to his doing that if he wished to. Wright, then, after a somewhat awk? ward pause, said he had no money to get out of the State. Whereupon the Gov? ernor reminded him that he had promised to pay the judges' salaries that had be? come due since his inauguration, and that consequently there was two months' pay due him which he could get if he wanted. Wright then said that he de? sired to send Governor Hampton a copy of the paper which charged' that he (Wright) had sold his decision to the Democrats for $100,000. The Governor replied that that was easily proved to be fake, and that he need not worry himself about it. The Governor added that he had been in? formed that several Senators could be pur? chased to declare in his favor and remove all difficulties in this way, and that he had replied that those Senators might go to the devil; that he had been elected as a reform candidate, and intended to have nothing to do with any bribery. Wright then withdrew, first calling by Comptroller Hagood's office and drawing his two months' pay. He slipped out the side way to avoid a mob of negroes con? gregated in the streets in front of the ex? ecutive chamber. Unsolicited on Governor Hampton's part, he returned to the consultation room of the court, And immediately signed the order, first begging that it be not made public until he Raa tim e to get out of the State. Judge Willard assented to this; and immediately went into the court having the order in his possession, and announced adjournment until the next day. All that evening Wright was in company with Radical negroes?Whip per and others of that ilk. On the 28th, when he is supposed to have been in? dulging in "mature deliberation,'' and writing that twenty page opinion, be found time to perambulate the streets at different portions ofthe day in company with the same gang. On yesterday he was seen on the streets up to 10 o'clock A. M., two hours before the message and opinion was sent to Justice Willard. He has hot been seen since that time, and only the select few know of his whereabouts. Some surmise that he is in Washington, and good authorities unite ?? in such state? ments. Others think he is still here con? cealed._ __ HAYES' INAUGURAL ADDRESS. Washington, March 5. Fellow-Citizens?We have assem? bled to repeat the public ceremonial be? gun by Washington, and. observed by all my predecessors, and now a time-honored custom, which marks the commencement of a new term of the Presidential office. Called to the duties of this great trust, I proceed, in compliance with usage, to announce some of the leading principles on the subjects that now chiefly engage the public attention, by which it is my desire to be guided in the discharge of these duties. I shall not undertake to lay down irrevocably principles or measures of administration, out rather to speak of the motives which should animate us, and to suggest certain important ends to be rttainea in accordance with our insti? tutions and essential to the welfare of our country. At the outset of the discussion which preceded the recent Presidential election, it seemed to me fitting that I should make known my sentiments in regard to several of the important questions which then appeared to demand the consideration of the country. Following the example, and, in part, adopting tne language of one of my predecessors, I wish how, when every motive for misrepresentation has passed away, to repeat what was said be? fore the election?that my countrymen will candidly weigh and understand it, and that they will feel assured that the sentiments declared in accepting the nomination for the Presidency will be the standard of my conduct in the path before me, charged, as I now am, with the grave and difficult task of carrying them out in the practical administration of the government; so far as depends under the constitution and laws on the Chief Executive of the nation. The per? manent pacification of the country upon such principles and by such measures as will secure the complete protection of all its citizens in the free enjoyment of all their constitutional rights is now the one subject in our public affairs, which all thoughtful and patriotic citizens regard as of supreme importance.'' Many of the calamitous effects of the tremendous rev? olution which has passed over the South? ern States still remain. The immeas? urable benefits which will surely follow, sooner or later, the hearty and generous acceptance of the legitimate results of the revolution have not yet been realized. Difficult and embarrassing questions meet us at the threshold of this subject. The people of those States are still impover? ished, and the inestimable blessings of wise, honest and peaceful local self-gov? ernment is not fully enjoyed. Whatever difference of opinion may exist as to the cause of this condition of things, the fact is clear that in the progress of events the time has come when such government is the imperative necessity required by all the varied interests, public and private, of those States. But it must not be for? gotten that only a local government which recognizes and maintains inviolate the rights of all is a true self-government. With respect to the two distinct races whose peculiar relations to each other have brought upon us the deplorable complications and perplexities which exist in these States, it must be a govern? ment which guards the interests of both races carefully and equally. It must be a government which submits loyally and heartily to the constitution and the laws, the laws of the nation and the laws of the States themselves, accepting and obeying faithfully the whole constitution as it is. Resting upon this sure and substantial foundation, the superstructure of benefi? cent local governments can be built up, and not otherwise. In furtherance of such obedience to the letter and spirit of the constitution, and in behalf of all that its attainment implies, all so-called party interests lose their apparent importance, and party lines may well be permitted to fade into insignificance. The question we have to consider for the immediate welfare of the States of the Union is the question of government or no govern? ment ; of social order and all the peace? ful industries, and the happiness that be? long to it, or a return to barbarism. It is a question in which every citizen of the nation is deeply interested, and with re? spect to which we ought not to be in a partisan sense either Republicans or Democrats, but fellow-citizens and fellow men, to whom the interests of a common country and a common humanity ore dear. The sweeping revolution of the entire labor system of a large portion of our country, and the advance of 4,000,000 people from a condition of servitude to that of citizenship upon an equal footing with their former masters, could not occur without presenting problems of the .grayest,moment to be dealt with, by the emancipated race, by their former mas? ters and by the general government?the author of the act of emancipation. That it was a wise, just and providential act, fraught with good for all concerned, is now* generally conceded throughout the /Country. That a moral Obligation rests upon the national government to employ ^.constitutional power and influence to establish the rights of the people it has emancipated, and to protect them in the enjoyment of those rights when they are infringed or assailed, is also generally ad? mitted. The evils which afflict the Southern States can only be removed or remedied by the united and harmonious efforts of both races, actuated by motives of mu? tual sympathy and regard ; and while in duty bound and fully determined to pro? tect the rights of all, by every constitu? tional means at the disposal of my ad? ministration, I am sincerely anxious to use every legitimate influence in favor of honest and efficient local self-government, as the true resource of those States for the promotion of the contentment and frosperity of their citizens. In the effort shall make to accomplish this purpose, I ask the cordial co-operation of all who cherish an interest in the welfare of the country, trusting that party ties and the Srejudice of race will be freely surren ered in behalf of the great purpose to be accomplished. In the important work of restoring the South, it is not the political situation alone that merits attention. The mate? rial development of that section of the country has been arrested by the social and political revolution through which it has passed, and now needs and deserves the considerate care of the national gov? ernment, within the just limits prescribed by the constitution and wise public economy; but at the basis of all prosper? ity, for that as well as for every other part of the country, lies the improvement of the intellectual and moral condition of the people. Universal suffrage sflbuld rest upon universal education. To this end liberal and permanent provision should be made for the support of free schools by the State governments, and, if needed, supplemented by legitimate aid from national authority. Let me assure my countrymen of the Southern States that it is my earnest de? sire to regard and promote their truest interests; the interest of the white and of the colored people both and equally, and to put forth my best efforts in behalf of a civil policy which will forever wipe out, in our political affairs, the color line and the distinction between North and South, to the end that we may have not merely a united North or a united South, but a united country. I ask the attention of the public to the paramount necessity of reform in our civil service?a reform not merely as to certain abuses and practices of so-called official patronage, which have come to have the sanction of usage in the several departments of our government, but a change in the system of appointment it? self.. A reform that shall be thorough, radical and complete. A return to the principles and practices of the founders of. the government. They neither ex? pected nor desired from public officers any partisan service. They meant that the public officers should be secure in his tenure as long as his personal character remained untarnished and the perform? ance of his duties satisfactory. They held that appointments to office were not to be made nor expected merely as a re? ward for patisan services, nor merely of the nomination of members of Congress as being entitled in any respect to the control of such appointments. The fact that both the great political parties of the country,, in declaring their principles prior to the election, gave a prominent place to the subject of reform of our civil service, recognizing and strongly urging its necessity.in terms almost identical in their specific import with those I have here employed, must be accepted as a conclusive argument in behalf of those measures. It must be regarded as the expression of the united voice and will of the whole country upon this subject; and both political parties are virtually pledged to give it their unreserved sup? port. The President of the United States of necessity owes his election to office to the suffrage and zealous labors of a polit? ical party, the members of which cherish with ardor and regard as of essential im? portance the principles of their party or? ganization; but he should strive to be always mindful of the fact that he serves his. party best who serves the country best In furtherance of the reform we seek, and in other important respects, and a change of great importance, I re? commend an amendment to the constitu? tion prescribing a terra of six years for the Presidential office, and forbidding a re-election. With respect to the financial condition of the country, I shall not attempt an extended history of the embarrassment and prostration which we have suffered during the past three years. The de? pression in all our varied commercial and manufacturing interest throughout the country, which began in September, 1873, still continues. It is very gratify? ing, however, to be able to say that there are indications all around us of a coming change to prosperous times. Upon the currency question, intimate? ly connected as it is with this topic, I may be permitted to repeat here the statement made in my letter of accept? ance?that in my judgment the feeling of uncertainty inseparable from an irre? deemable paper currency, with its fluc? tuations of values, is one of the greatest obstacles to a return to prosperous times. The only safe paper currency is one which rests upon a coin basis, aud is at all times ana promptly convertible into coin. I adhere to the views hereto? fore expressed by me in favor of Con? gressional legislation in behalf of an early resumption of specie payment, and I am satisfied not only that this is wise, but that the interests as well as the public sentiment of the country impera? tively demand it. Passing from these remarks upon the condition of our own currency to consider our relations with other lands, we are re? minded by the international complica? tions abroad, threatening the peace of Europe, that our traditional rule of non? interference in the affairs of foreign nations has proved of great value in past times, and ought to be strictly ob? served. The policy inaugurated by my honored predecessor, President Grant, of submitting to arbitration grave ques? tions in dispute between ourselves and foreign powers, points to a new and in? comparable mode of settling interna? tional disputes?the best instrumentality, of the preservation of peace?and will, as I believe, become a beneficent exam? ple of the course to be pursued in simi? lar emergencies by other nations. If. unhappily, questions of difference should at any time during the period of my ad? ministration arise between the United States and any foreign government, it will certainly be my disposition and my hope to aid in their settlement in the same peaceful and honorable way?thus securing to our country the great bless? ings of peace and mutual good offices with all the nations of the world. Fellow-citizens, we have reached the close of a political contest marked by the excitement which usually attends the'contests between political parties, whose members espouse and advocate with earnest faith their respective creeds. The circumstances were, perhaps, in no respects extraordinary, save in the close? ness: and the consequent uncertainty of the result. For the first time in the history of the country, it has been deemed best, in view of the peculiar circumstances of the case, that the ob? jections and questions in dispute with reference to the counting of the electoral votes should be referred to the decision of a tribunal uppoiuted for this purpose. That tribunal, established by law for this* sole purpose, its members all of them men of long established reputation for integrity aud intelligence, and'with the exception of those who are also mem? bers of the supreme judiciary, chosen equally from both political parties, its deliberations enlightened by the research and the argument of able counsel, was entitled to the fullest confidence of the American people. Its decisions have been patiently awaited and accepted ?s legally conclusive by the general judg? ment of the public. For the present, opinion will widely vary as to the wisdom of the several conclusions an? nounced by that tribunal. This is to be anticipated in every instance whero matters of dispute are made the sub? ject of arbitration under the forms of law. Human judgment is never unerring, and is rarely regarded as otherwise than wrong by the unsuccessful party in the contest. The fact that two great political parties have in this way settled a dispute, in regard to which good men differ as to the facts and the law, no less than as to the proper course to be pursued in solving the question in controversy, is occasion for general rejoicing. Upon one point there is entire unanimity in public sen? timent?that conflicting claims to the Presidency must be amicably and peace? ably adjusted, and that when so ad? justed, the general acquiescence of the natiou ought surely to follow. It bos been reserved for a government of the people, where the right of suffrage is universal, to give to the world the first example in history of a great nation, in the midst of a struggle of opposing par? ties for power, hushing its party tumults to yield, the issue of the contest to ad? justment according to the forms of law. Looking for the guidance of that Divine hand by which the destinies of nations and individuals are shaped, I call upon you, Senators, Representatives, Judges and fellow-citizens, here and everywhere, to unite with me in an earnest effort to secure to our country the blessings not only of material prosperity, but of jus? tice, peace and union. A union depen ing not upon the constraint of force, but upon the loving devotion of a free peo? ple ; and that all things may be so or? dered and settled upon the best and surest foundations that peace and happi? ness, truth and justice, religion and piety may be re-established among all genera? tions. HAMPTON, OR REVOLUTION! The Status Q,uo in South Carolina?A Brief Resume of Recent Events?The Supreme Court Fiasco. From the Charleston Newt and Courier. The transactions of the past week, in which Judge Wright has figured, are so disgusting in their character that we do not care to dwell upon them. We make a brief explanation and pass on. During the hearing of the argument in the cose of Tilda Norris the members of the Supreme Court took no pains to con? ceal their opinions.. There was really only one point to determine: ,that is, whether the Senate, by refusing to at? tend, could prevent the opening and pub? lishing of the returns', and the declaration of the election of Governor. The other Eoint, that is: that the opening and pub shing by the Mackey House, and the pretended installation of Mr. Chamber? lain, were utterly worthless and of no effect, had been covered by the previous decision of the Supreme Court, that the Mackey House was not the legal House, and that Mackey was not the Speaker of the House, but a private citizen. Chief Justice Moses gave the counsel to under? stand, before the argument closed, that the notice to the Senate was sufficient, and that, after notice, the House could proceed as though the Senate were pre? sent. And the Chief Justice intimidated also that Mr. Chamberlain, in consenting to be installed, upon the declaration of election by the Mackey House, absolute? ly surrendered the office of Governor, and was no longer Governor. Judge Willard, by his remarks on the bench, was known to hold the same views. Judge Wright, who usually "votes with the Chief Justice," inclined in that direc? tion. We know that both Judges Moses and Willard were .so thoroughly con? vinced by the arguments that they had determined to order the discharge of Tilda Norris as soon as the case was fin? ished. Chief Justice Moses, on Februa? ry 22, was stricken with paralysis. The operations of the Radicals against Judge Wright then became active. Whiskey was their principal agent. They made Wright drunk and kept him in that con? dition, so playing upon his fears that he really imagined that the Elliotts and Whippere would do him wrong if he did right. In a sober interval on Tnesday he signed an order for the discharge of Tilda Norris, which Judge Willard also signed. For some reason the decision was not filed immediately, and on Thurs ? day Judge Wright produced a decision in favor of Mr. Chamberlain, as Gover? nor holding over, which had been written for him, and revoked bis signature to the former order which had not yet been filed. Whiskey was again supreme. In gambler and would-be Judge of the Charleston Circuit,) Judge Wright is supposed to have remained. When the Court met yesterday morning, Wright was absent, and could not be found. The Gubernatorial question, therefore, remains, so far as the Supreme Court is concerned, where it stood when the habeas corpus proceedings began. There is no decision. What is gained, if any? thing, is the knowledge that Judge Wright did sign an order which was a recognition of Gov. Hampton, and sub? sequently withdrew his concurrence; and that Judges Moses and Willard would have decided the case against Chamber? lain, with or without Wright, had the former been able to remain on the bench. Was the game worth the candle? As a legal fact there is no change in the situa? tion. Wade Hampton is Governor, fail? ing action by the Supreme Court, as he would be Governor in spite of the Su? preme Court. The popular voice, "the highest number of votes," make him Governor, and Governor he remains. The revelations now made destroy the whole power and influence of the Su? preme Court. Without Judge Moses there is a bare quorum, but Judge Wright will hardly dare to occupy the bench again. With less than two Judges, the Court can do no business. Judge Wil? lard, secure in his integrity and the con? fidence of the public, must patiently await the reorganization of the Court, when he shall nave associates who will join him in restoring the Court to the high plane where stood the old Court of Appeals of this State. No decision ren? dered by Judge Wright, in any cause, can hereafter be regarded. By his own conduct he has degraded himself and dishonored his race. Not many months ago, the whole of the Democratic mem? bers of the General Assembly supported him for re-election, and he was unani? mously re-elected. It is Radicalism, not Democracy, that makes him the base creature he is. The only colored man upon the bench of a superior court in the United States, he had the opportunity to elevate his race, in their own esteem and the regard of their fellow-citizens. By sobriety, impartiality and fidelity he could have given the colored people an exam? ple of inestimable value. What came of it? After trying to sell out to Governor Hampton, ai'ter declaring that, if he de c'ded according to law, he must decide for Governor Hampton, after signing an opinion in accordance with law, he veers around, withdraws his signature, and so gives himself the lie! The Whippcrs and Elliotts, black men, were the instru? ments. It was shocking enough that the white Radicals, in Louisiana, should pre? vail on the drunken Durell to do their bidding; it is far worse that black men, at this crisis in their history, should thrust their whole race in the mire by playing on the fears and passions of the (the drunken besotted Wright. Enough.!. What shall, the. people,,o? Soutk Carolina "do, the people who elec? ted Wade Hampton and made him Gov? ernor? There is only one answer: Wade Hampton, or Revolution/ There need be no serious disturbance. If there is, it can't be helped. Governor Hampton is commander-in-chief. He can call out the militia. He can suspend the writ of habeas corpus. Ho can place the State, or any part of it, under martial law. This is power enough, and the. time has come when it must be exercised. In his own way, but at once, should Governor Hampton assert his authority; and any. officer holding a commission from him, who is not ready to vindicate the trust placed in him by Governor Hampton, owes it to the public to make room for somebody who will 1 We have done with courts, except the High Court of the People. The demand of the people is: No more delay! No more palavers! Boldness and Action! THE HAMPTON GOVERNMENT. Receipts and Disbursements by Comp? troller General Hagood from Decem? ber 14, 18T6, to March 3, 18TT. RECEIPTS. Contributions on Account of Taxes to Date from the Counties of Aiken.;......$ 8,662 50 Abbeville. ?6,840 00 Anderson. 4,042 90 Barnwell... 4,841 39 Beaufort. - 2,800 00 Charleston. 28,663 31 Chester. 8,661 50 Chesterfield. 1,450 00 Clarendon. 1,179 64 Colleton. 1,908 90 Darlington. 8,150 00 Edgefield. 8,400 00 Fairfield.,. 3,580 45 Georgetown. 1,278 39 Greenville. 3,700 00 Horry. 620 00 Kershaw.? 1,921 71 Lancaster. 1,706 19 Laurens." 2,819 00 Lexington. . 2,272 40 Mariou.... ,2,835 87 Marlboro. 2,015 00 Newberry. 5,841 37 Oconee.:. L279 70 Orangeburg..;. 8,600 00 Pickeus.i..?. 968 40, Richland.w. 4,482 98 Spartanburg...... 2,700 00 Surater.. 2,970 00 Williamsburg.. 1,900 00. York. 4,767 26 $119,432 41 Office fees received to date... 709 86 $120,141 77 DISBURSEMENTS. Judicial Department? ? . Salaries.$ 6,489 40 Legislative expenses. 11,002 75 Executive Department? Salaries.$2,091 68 ., Messenger. 40 00 -i- 2,131 63 Penitentiary. 4,824 24 Lunatic Asylum. 8,449 70 Deaf, Dumb and Blind Insti? tute. 1,586 32 State Orphan Asylum... 1,000 00 Printing and stationery.. 492 20 Telegrams.... 118 70 Legal expenses, witness fees, briefs, &c. 700 00 Governor's contingent fund... 850 00 Postage, fuel, furniture and petty expenses. 60 00 $87,794 64 Cash on hand, deposited witn? . . Central National Bank, Co- . v lumbia......$ 7,366 48 E. J. Scott & Son. Columbia.. 5,694 38 Carolina National Bank,. Co- ? ? lumbia.?. 15,988 84 Bank of Charleston. 29,974 58 First National Bank, Charles? ton.k.... . 46 50 Union Bank, Charleston. 11,007 59 People's Bank, Charleston.... 11,028 27 Lowndes & Co., Charleston... 2,241 89 $ 82,847 13 Disbursements. 87,794 64 $120,14177 By the foregoing statement $119,432. 41 have been received to date by General Hagood, the acting Comptroller and Treasurer, from the special agents col? lecting the contribution on account* of taxes. The agents have been authorized to retain until a final settlement 4 per cent on their collections; 6 per cent, will be their full compensation. Adding this 4 per cent to the. amount forwarded, and it will be seen that the people have already voluntarily contributed to the j support of the Hampton government $124,408.76, and the books of the special agents have not yet been closed in any one county.?Columbia Register. TJ. S. MARSHAL'S BALR BY JAS. H. McCONNELL, Auctioneer. BY virtue of an Execution to me direct? ed, I will expose to sale on the FIRST. MONDAY in APRIL next, at Anderson Court House, ONE HOUSE AND LOT, Containing one and one-balf (li) Acres, more or less, situate in the County of An? derson, in the town of Belton, bounded on ! the East by the line of Greenville & Colum? bia Railroad, on the North by street running Southwest, on the West by street running Southeast, on the South by lot of A.*1. Cox. Levied on as the property of G. W. Cox, at the suit of Hodge, Whitney, Cook & Co. ' Terms Cash?purchaser to pay extra for all necessary papers. ?? Sale to be conducted by P. A. Daniela, Special Deputy. R. M. WALLACE, U. S. M. March 8,1877 34_4_ PHOTOGRAPH GALLERY. I HAVING ENGAGED CAPT. J. A. WBEN, An Artist of Great Talent, Experience and Advantages, now offer to the public an opportunity of having FIRST CLASS PICTURES Taken in all the latest stylos. Satisfaction guaranteed. Old Pictures copied and enlarged. Pictures taken in cloudy as well as in clear weather. Gallery hours from 8 till 4. J. D. MAXWELL, No. 4 Brick Bange. March I, 1877 33 3m T. Miles & Son. JUST RECEIVED, from T. Miles & Son, Philadelphia, Ladies' Calf Skin and Pcbblo Goat Shoes, Fine Lace and Congress Gaiters, Infants' Shoes and Mens' Fine Gai? ters. These are the best Shoes brought to this market. For sale low for cash by A. B. TOWERS. March 8,1877 34 CHEAP CASH STORE! We are now Receiving A Beautifnl Line of NEW SPRING GOODS, When complete will embrace all the latest and most desirable styles. Also to arrive in a few days our usual large stock of Gentlemen, Ladles' and Children!)' BOOTS and SHOES, Direct from the manufactories, which will bo sold at; rock-bottom prices. OUR GROCERY DEPARTMENT Is replenished daily with everything in the way of Groceries and Frovi ions And will be sold at prices to suit the times. Don't fail to give us a look if you want to save money. JAMES H. MORGAN & 00. Corner Coffee an ? Buncombe Srs., Greenville, ? - S.C ?Sf Wagon Yard free of charge. March 8,1877 ' 84 _2m_ - SHERIFFS SALES. BY virtue of an Execution to me direc? ted, I will expose to sale on the First MONDAY in APRIL next, at Anderson Court House, the following property, tr. wit: One Tract of Land, containing (300) hun? dred acreas, adjoining lands of J. G. Hall. Mrs.-Stevenson, Estate of A. Reid ana others, lying on Canoe Creek, waters of Sa? vannah River. Levied on as the property of J. L. Hall, at the suit of Ligon & Hill. Terms Cash?purchaser to pay extra for all necessary papers. JAS. H. McCONNELL, Sheriff Anderson County. March 8,1877_84_4 SHERIFF'S SALE. STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, Anderson County. In the Court of Common Pleat. Mary J. Orr, Administratrix, and J. L. Orr, Administrator, of J. L. Orr, deceased, As? signee of G co. Roof vs. D. J. Hix, R. Jas? per Brown and H. N. White?Judgment for foreclosure. By virtue of an order from Hon. J. P. Reed, Judge of the 8th Judicial Circuit, Pro Tern., to me directed. I will' expose to Sale, on the FIRST MONDAY of APRIL next, the following tract of Land, to wit: One TRACT OF LAND, containing (98i) Ninety-Eight and Three-Fourth Acres, .on a branch of Seneca River, bounding'lands T. B. Palmer, R. M. Graham and others. Sold as the property of D. J. Hix, at the suit of Mary J. Orr, Administratrix, and J. L. Orr, Administrator, of J. L. Orr, deceased. TERMS, Cash. Purchaser to pay extra for all necessary papers. JASYH. McCONNELL, Sheriff Anderson County. March 8,1877_84 4 SHERIFF'S SALE. State of South Carolina, ) Anderson County, j In the Court of Common Pleas. John W. B. Skelton vs. Edward Davis and others.?Judgment for Foreclosure of Real Property. BY virtue of the Judgment to me direct? ed in the above stated case. I will ex-' pose to sale on the FIRST MONDAY IN APRIL next, at Andetson C. H., 8. C, ONE TRACT OF LAND, . Containing (289) two hundred and thirty nine acres, more or less, situate in Anderson County, on waters of Generostee, bounding lands of J. W. Prevost, Estate of David S. Taylor and others. Terms of sale Cash. Purchaser to pay ex? tra for all necessary papers. JAMES H. McCONNELL, . Sheriff Anderson County. March 8,1877 34 4 i SHERIFFS SALE. i STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, ? . Anderson County. In Out Court of Common Pleas. The State Savings and Insurance Bank of Anderson, S. C., vs. Mrs. C. J. Roberts and J. P. Reed.?Omplainl for Foreclosure. BY virtue of an order to me directed by Hon. T. H. Cooke, Judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit, I will expose to sale on the FIRST MONDAY in APBIL next, the following Tracts of Land, to wit: TRACT NO. 1, Containing (148) one hundred and forty eight acres, on Hencoop Creek, in said Coun? ty, adjoining lands or Gco. W. Cox. and I land formerly owned by Pembroke John? son, deceased. Also, TRACT NO. 2, Situate and lying one mile North of Ander? son Court House, on which Defendant late? ly resided, containing (24) twenty-four acres, more or less, adjoining lands formerly own? ed by D. H. Silcox, E. B. Cater, Matilda Anderson and others. Terms of sale Cash. Purchaser to pay for all necessary papers. JAMES H. McCONNELL, Sheriff Anderson County. March 7,1877 34 ' 4 s&tifSltS'* ill Bb?Jf?l iff & g mm If s T?TE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1 AlCDBBOH COUSTT. By W. W. Humphrey*, Esq., Probate Judge. WHEREAS, Reuben Clinkscales has made suit to me to grant him letters of Adminis? tration, on the Estate and effects of Jere? miah Moors, deceased. These are therefore to cite and admonish all kindred and creditors of the said Jeremiah Moore, deceased, to be and appear before me in Court of Probate, to be add. at An? derson Court House, on Friday, March 23rd, 1877, after publication nereof, to ?hew cause, if any they have, why the said administration should hot be granted. Given under my hand", this 5th day of March, A. D. 1877. . W. W. HUMPHREYS, Judge of Probate? March 8,1877 34 2*