On motion of Mr. CRITTENDEN, the amendment was amended by striking out the words "so-called," so that it should read, "and the reply of Wade Hampton thereto."

The motion of the Senator from Beaufort was withdrawn.

After further debate, participated in by Messrs. Nash, Livingston, Witherspoon, Taft,

The amendment of the Senator from Greenville was withdrawn.

On the question of agreeing to the resolution,

Mr. MYERS called for the yeas and nays.

The yeas and

nays were taken, and resulted as follows:

Yeas-Messrs. Bird, Carter, Clinton, Cochran, Corwin, Duncan, Gaillard, Green, Johnston, Myers, Nash, Swails, Taft, Walker, Warley, B. H. Williams, Whittemore-17.

Nays-Messrs. Bowen, Buck, Butler, Cannon, Crittenden, Evans, Howard, Jeter, Livingston, Meetze, J. M. Williams, Witherspoon-12. So the resolution was agreed to.

The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate an invitation from the Faculty of the University of South Carolina to attend the Commencement exercises of that institution in the Library, Wednesday, December 13, 1876, at 10 A. M..

Mr. WHITTEMORE sent to the desk, and had read, the following COMMUNICATION:

Governor D. H. CHAMBERLAIN:

SENATE CHAMBER,

COLUMBIA, S. C., December 11, 1876.

DEAR SIR-In debate to-day on the floor of the Senate, on printing your Inaugural Address, Mr. Crittenden, of Greenville, stated, that Governor Chamberlain told him that he (Whittemore) was the most corrupt man in the Legislature, and he wanted him to aid him (Chamberlain) to crush him (Whittemore) and the other corrupt leaders out, or words to this effect.

My desire is to know whether the above statement is true.

The above statement is not true.

Yours truly,

B. F. WHITTEMORE, Senator from Darlington County.

On motion of Mr. SWAILS, it was

D. H. CHAMBERLAIN.

Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns it stand adjourned to meet at 11:30 A. M. to-morrow.

On motion of Mr. GREEN, at 4:35 P. M., the Senate adjourned.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1876.

The Senate assembled at 11:30 A. M., and was called to order by the PRESIDENT.

The roll was called, and, a quorum answering to their names, the PRESIDENT announced the Senate ready to proceed to business. Prayer by Rev. A. L. Culver.

On motion of Mr. JOHNSTON, the reading of the Journal of yesterday was dispensed with.

PAPERS FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House sent to the Senate,

Bill (House) to provide for the better protection of the State House and State government against domestic violence.

The Bill received its first reading, was ordered for a second reading and consideration to-morrow, and to be printed.

The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate the following:

COMMUNICATION FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

EXECUTIVE DERARTMENT,

OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL,

COLUMBIA, S. C., December 12, 1876.

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives: . GENTLEMEN-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a concurrent resolution of the General Assembly requesting me "to prepare a written opinion concerning the constitutionality of the elections held by the preceding General Assembly for Judges of the Circuit Courts of this. State."

The question involved in the resolution is now undergoing judicial enquiry in the Supreme Court of the State; and, in view of my official relations to that tribunal, any expression of my opinion in this matter, in advance of the judgment of the Court, of which I am an officer, would be of doubtful delicacy.

Under these circumstances, I ask to be relieved of the duty imposed on me by the terms of the resolution.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

ROBERT B. ELLIOTT,

Attorney General, S. C.

The communication was received as information.

The Sergeant-at-Arms announced

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR.

Message No. 6 from His Excellency the Governor was presented to the Senate by Mr. C. J. Babbitt, Private Secretary.

The PRESIDENT announced that the Message related to Executive business.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.

Mr. WHITTEMORE, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred Bill to require State officers to report promptly to the General Assembly, reported back the same, with the recommendation that the Bill do not pass.

Ordered for consideration to-morrow.

NOTICES OF BILLS.

Mr. MYERS gave notice that he will on to-morrow, or some subsequent day, ask leave to introduce

Joint Resolution amending the Constitution relative to the holding of Courts of General Sessions.

BILLS INTRODUCED.

Mr. WHITTEMORE asked and obtained the unanimous consent of the Senate to introduce, without previous notice:

Bill relative to the annual examination of the bonds of the various County officers;

Bill to amend Section 37, Chapter XVI, Part I, Title V, of the General Statutes of South Carolina, relative to examination of County offices.

The above Bills received their first reading, were ordered for a second reading and consideration to-morrow, and to be printed.

Mr. WARLEY, pursuant to notice, introduced

Bill to make appropriation for the payment of the salary and mileage of the members of the General Assembly, and the salaries of the subor dinate officers and employees, and other expenses incidental thereto.

The Bill received its first reading, was ordered for a second reading and consideration to-morrow, and to be printed.

Mr. COCHRAN asked and obtained the unanimous consent of the Senate to introduce, without previous notice,

Bill to prohibit the unauthorized absence of certain officers from duty. The Bill received its first reading, was ordered for a second reading and consideration to-morrow, and to be printed.

RESOLUTIONS.

Mr. WARLEY introduced the following resolution :

Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby requested to place all Bills and resolutions laid over from the last session upon the Calendar.

Ordered for consideration to-morrow.

Mr. WHITTEMORE introduced the following resolution:

Resolved, That the Committee on Privileges and Elections be, and they are hereby, authorized to inquire into the fact, whether any of the sitting members of the Senate are disqualified from holding seats in the Senate, under and by virtue of the provisions of Section 32, Article I, of the Constitution of South Carolina.

Ordered for consideration to-morrow.

Mr. JOHNSTON introduced the following resolution :

Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring, That the two Houses meet in Joint Assembly on Monday, December 18, 1876, at 1 P. M., for the purpose of entering into an election for an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

Ordered for consideration to-morrow.

GENERAL ORDERS.

The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the General Orders on the Calendar, to wit:

Joint Resolution to ratify the amendment to the Constitution of South Carolina, relative to the public school tax levy and a tax on polls.

The Joint Resolution received its third reading.

On motinn of Mr. GAILLARD, the resolution was amended, in line three, paragraph four, of Section 5, by inserting after the words "South Carolina" the words " voting thereon."

On the question of agreeing to the resolution,

The

yeas and nays were taken, and resulted as follows:

Yeas-Messrs. Bird, Bowen, Buck, Butler, Cannon, Carter, Clinton, Cochran, Corwin, Crittenden, Duncan, Evans, Gaillard, Green, Jeter, Johnston, Livingston, Myers, Nash, Swails, Taft, Walker, Warley, B. H. Williams, J. M. Williams, Witherspoon, Whittemore-27.

Nays-Messrs. Howard, Meetze-2.

So the resolution passed, and was ordered to be sent to the House of Representatives.

Joint Resolution (by Mr. Taft) relative to the election of Circuit Judges;

Bill (by Mr. Cochran) to prohibit the making of profits out of public funds;

Bill (by Mr. Whittemore) to amend Chapters VII, VIII, IX, X and XI, Title II, Part I, of the General Statutes of South Carolina, relative to elections and their results;

Bill (by Mr. Whittemore) regulating the manner of contesting elections.

The above Bills and Joint Resolution were read by their titles, and referred to the Committee on the Judicary.

Bill (by Mr. B. H. Williams) to establish and charter Yauhanna Ferry, in Georgetown County.

The Bill was read by its title, and referred to the Committee on Roads, Bridges and Ferries.

Bill (by Mr. B. H. Williams) to authorize the County Commissioners of Georgetown County to levy a special tax to pay the past indebtedness of said County.

The Bill was read by its title, and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Report (favorable) of Committee on the Judiciary on Bill to repeal Sections 55, 56 and 57, Title IV, Chapter CXX, of the revised Statutes, relating to liens on crops.

The report was read, and the Bill taken up for a second reading.

The Bill received its second reading, was considered as in Committee of the Whole, and by Sections.

Mr. WHITTEMORE moved that Section 1 be amended by striking out the proviso in said Section, and inserting in lieu thereof the words, “Provided, That this Act shall take effect on and after December 31, 1877."

After debate, participated in by Messrs. Duncan, Whittemore,

The amendment proposed by the Senator from Darlington was withdrawn.

On the question of agreeing to the passage of the Bill to a third reading,

Pending debate, Mr. DUNCAN having the floor,

The PRESIDENT announced the hour arrived for the

SPECIAL ORDER FOR 12 M.

Vote for a person to represent the State of South Carolina in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years, commencing March 4, 1877.

The Senate proceeded to vote for a person to represent the State of