JOURNAL OF THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. EXTRA SESSION, COMMENCING OCTOBER 25, 1865. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1865. GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the State of South Carolina, begun and holden at Columbia, in the State of South Carolina, on this the 25th day of October, A. D. 1865. At 12 Meridian, the members elect of the Senate assembled in the College Chapel. On motion of Hon. G. W. WILLIAMS, Senator elect from York, the Hon. F. J. Moses, Senator elect from Sumter, was called to the Chair. The following portions of an Ordinance was read : THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. At a Convention of the People of the State of South Carolina, begun and holden at Columbia, on the thirteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, and thence continued by divers adjournments to the twenty-seventh day of the same month and year. AN ORDINANCE To provide for the first ensuing Election of Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, and for Members of the first ensuing General Assembly of the State of South Carolina. We, the People of the State of South Carolina, by our Delegates in Convention met, do ordain: 1. That on the third Wednesday in October next, elections shall be held for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of the State of South Carolina, and for members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the State. 3. In the elections to the General Assembly, the Districts of Beaufort, Colleton, Orangeburg and Berkeley, shall each elect one Senator and on general ticket as many members of the House of Representatives as were assigned by the last apportionment to the several Parishes comprised in each. The District of Georgetown shall elect one Senator and three Representatives. The District of Horry shall elect one Senator and two Representatives. The Election District of Charleston shall elect two Senators and twenty Representatives; and all other Districts shall elect each one Senator and as many Representatives as were assigned to each by the last apportionment. 5. That the Members so elected shall meet in General Assembly, in special session, at Columbia, on Wednesday, the twenty-fifth day of Octo ber next. The Election Districts were then called, and the following Senators from the following Districts appeared at the Clerk's desk, and presented their credentials, the oaths were administered, and they took their seats: A quorum being present, the Senate proceeded to an election for President of the Senate, to serve in the absence of the Lieutenant-Governor. The election having been conducted viva voce, pursuant to the present amendment of the Constitution, the following vote was given : Hons. Thomas Thomson, John Wilson, James Hemphill, Henry Buist, G. F. Townes, C. P. Sullivan, Lemuel Boozer, Robert Beaty, G. W. Williams, J. B. Kershaw voted for F. J. Moses-10. Hons. W. P. Shingler, Carlos Tracy, G. D. Tillman, John Bratton, J. H. Williams, J. Winsmith, F. J. Moses, James McCutchen voted for J. B. Kershaw-8. Hon. W. S. Grisham votnd for C. P. Sullivan-1. Mr. Moses having received a majority of the votes, was declared duly elected, (Mr. Sullivan occupying the chair.) Messrs. Buist, G. W. Williams and Hemphill were appointed a Committee to wait upon the President elect, and conduct him to the Chair. The Committee having performed the duty, the President elect addressed the Senate as follows: Gentlemen of the Senate: Accept my acknowledgment of the honor you have just conferred upon me. I attribute your choice more to the fact of my long service on this floor than to any fitness which I have for the place. In this body, however, constituted of Carolina gentlemen, the course of debate, even on exciting questions, has always been distinguished by such politeness and courtesy, that there is seldom an occasion for the interposition of the Chair. Senators, you have assembled, as it were, to establish a new Government. The Constitution of 1790 has been substituted by that of 1865, and by its provision a social and hereditary institution has been abolished. The labor which contributed so largely to the capital of the country, if not altogether gone, is to exist in a new shape, and we enter on an experiment, if depressed by present overbearing circumstances, still full of hope for the future. On many a fearful battle-field Southern valor and gallantry, subjected to the most trying test, have been proudly exhibited, and that same spirit of self-dependence, in a new and changed field of operation, can supply the necessary energy and industry to conquer all obstacles, and make us once more a happy and prosperous people. You have, each of you, assumed, under oath, the obligation "to protect, preserve and defend" as well the Constitution of the United States as of that of the State of South Carolina. Your honor once pledged, who that knows anything of the character of our people, will doubt that you will readily and cheerfully render to the general Government of your country all that duty, patriotism and a sense of right will demand. I full well know that you will contribute all your efforts and ability to build up for us a republic which will be the admiration of the world, and will constitute us one great and undivided people. Let a recollection of the past be buried, and with encouraging hopes of the future, proceed in the goop work which we this day begin. Again thanking you for the honor you have conferred upon me, I am ready to proceed with the duties of the Chair. The Senate proceeded to the election of Clerk, and each of the Senators who had just voted for President voted for William E. Martin, who was declared by the PRESIDENT unanimously elected, and was qualified accordingly. The Senate then proceeded to ballot for Reading Clerk, and the roll was thrice called, the Senators voting as follows on each call: Hon. F. J. MOSES, President pro tem, Messrs. Thompson, Wilson, Hemphill, Bratton, Boozer, Grisham, voted for Mr. J. C. Kennedy-7. Messrs. Shingler, Buist, Townes, J. H. Williams, G. W. Williams, and Kershaw voted for Mr. Isaac Hayne—6. Messrs. Tracy, Tillman, Sullivan, Winsmith, Beaty, and McCutchen voted for Mr. J. P. Lesesne-6. Neither candidate having received a majority, the balloting was suspended on motion of Mr. THOMPSON, and the Senate proceeded to ballot for Doorkeeper. Messrs. Thompson, Wilson, Hemphill, Tillman, Bratton, Sullivan, Boozer, J. H. Williams, Grisham, Winsmith, Beaty, McCutchen, and Kershaw voted for Mr. Dubose Eggleston-13. Hon. F. J. MOSES, President, and Messrs. Shingler, Buist, Tracy, Townes and G. W. Williams voted for Mr. W. Murray-6. The PRESIDENT declared Mr. Eggleston duly elected. The Senate then proceeded to ballot for Messenger. The following Senators, viz: Hon. F. J. MOSES, President, and Messrs. Thompson, Wilson, Shingler, Hemphill, Buist, Tracy, Townes, Sullivan, Boozer, Williams, Grisham, Beaty, McCutchen, G. W. Williams voted for A. D. Gaillard-15. Messrs. Tillman, Bratton and Kershaw voted for Mr. Boatwright—3. Mr. Winsmith voted for Mr. F. Schaller-1. Mr. Gaillard was declared, by the PRESIDENT, duly elected. Another attempt to elect a Reading Clerk was then made, and upon calling the vote, the vote stood the same as on the other call. On motion of Mr. G. W. WILLIAMS, the election was postponed until 1 P. M. to-morrow. On motion of Mr. G. W. WILLIAMS, a Committee of three was appointed to draft rules for the government of the Senate. Messrs. G. W. Williams, Thomson and Buist were appointed the Committee. On motion of Mr. BUIST, it was Ordered, That when the Senate adjourns, it shall stand adjourned to meet to-morrow at 12 M. On motion of Mr. WINSMITH, a message was sent to the House, delivered orally by the Clerk, informing the House that the Senate had met, and had been organized, as above recorded, and was ready to proceed with the business of the General Assembly. On motion of Mr. TOWNES, a Committee was appointed to wait on His Excellency, B. F. Perry, Provisional Governor, and inform him that the Senate had met, and had been organized, and was ready to receive any communications he might be pleased to make to them. Messrs. Townes and Kershaw were appointed the Committee. On motion of Mr. SULLIVAN, the Senate adjourned at 20 minutes past 1 P. M. |