for opening, counting and publishing the returns of the election of Governor and Lieutenant Governor; and

"Whereas the House of Representatives is unable to enforce its authority against said body of men, who have unlawfully intruded themselves into the House of Representatives; and

"Whereas said intruders have openly proclaimed that they will not obey the orders of the House of Representatives, or retire from the hall thereof, but will resist by force of arms auy attempt on the part of the officers of the said House to enforce its orders and authority; therefore, be it

"Resolved, That the Governor of the State be, and he is hereby, requested to take such measures as will protect the House of Representatives against the unlawful intrusion, interruption and violence caused and done by the said body of men who have unlawfully intruded themselves into the hall of the House of Representatives, as bereinbefore set forth, and who are now engaged in unlawfully interrupting the proceedings thereof, and who are also, by their unlawful conduct and presence in the House of Representatives, preventing the assembling of the General Assembly in Joint Convention, as is provided by the Constitution of the State of South Carolina."

Upon the adoption of the foregoing preamble and resolutions, and upon a notification from the Speaker of this House that the Governor was prepared to immediately respond to the request contained in the resolution, Mr. Wallace, after a few remarks addressed to the body cooperating with him, withdrew with them.

Previous to the withdrawal of Mr. Wallace and his companions, the Committee on Privileges and Elections made a report, which was adopted by the House, confirming the action of the Board of State Canvassers in regard to the Counties of Edgefield and Laurens, and declaring that no valid election was held in either of those two Counties on the 7th November, 1876.

On the same day (2d December, 1876,) the Committee on Privileges and Elections also reported upon the contest for seats from Abbeville County, and their report, seating the Republican contestants, was adopted, four of whom immediately qualified and took their seats, the other member subsequently appearing and qualifying.

On the 5th December, 1876, the same Committee reported upon the contest for seats from Aiken County, and their report seating the four Kepublican contestants was adopted, all of whom being in attendance, were duly sworn in and took their seats.

At one o'clock of the same day, pursuant to a Joint Resolution previously adopted, the Senate and House of Representatives met in Joint

onvention in the Hall of the House of Representatives for the purpose of canvassing the returns of the late election for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, in accordance with Section 4, Article III, of the Constitution of this State. The returns were opened and read by the Speaker of the House, and when the Counties of Edgefield and Laurens were reached, objections being made to the returns from those Counties, in accordance | with the rules previously adopted, the Senate withdrew and the two houses acting separately decided not to count the votes alleged to have been cast in the Counties of Edgefield and Laurens. The canvass of the returns was then completed and the following result was announced :

The Speaker then declared that Hon. Daniel H. Chamberlain and Hon. Richard H. Gleaves were duly elected, respectively, Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the State of South Carolina for the ensuing two years. The Joint Convention was then dissolved and the Senate retired.

On the 7th December, 1876, at one o'clock P. M., the Senate and House of Representatives met in Joint Assembly, pursuant to resolution. adopted by both houses, for the inauguration of the Governor elect. The constitutional oath of office was then administered to Hon. D. H. Chamberlain, Governor elect, who thereupon delivered his inaugural address, after which the Joint Assembly was dissolved and the Senate returned to its chamber, where the oath of office was administered to Hon. R. H. Gleaves, the Lieutenant Governor elect, thereby perfecting the organization of the Government of the State in accordance with the will of the people, as expressed by their legal votes at the general election on the 7th November, 1876.

Your Committee have now presented, as they trust, with sufficient clearness and detail, the facts which have attended the history of this House since the declaration of the late election by the Board of State Canvassers. They have also presented the law which, as it has seemed to them, was applicable to the decision of the legal and parliamentary questions which have arisen and were involved in the facts.

In conclusion, it only remains for your Committee to express their unhesitating opinion that the foregoing report establishes in all respects the legal and constitutional validity of this House, and, by consequence,

the validity of all its acts since its organization on the 28th day of November, 1876.

Mr. JOHNSTON, from the Committee on Ways and Means, reported back

A Bill (H. 25) (favorable) to amend an Act entitled "An Act to reduce all Acts and parts of Acts providing for the assessment and taxation of property into one Act, and to amend the same."

Ordered for consideration to-morrow.

Mr. KEITH, from the Committee on Incorporations, reported back A Bill (H. 34) (favorable) to charter the Palmetto River Phosphate Company.

On motion of Mr. KEITH, the Rules were suspended, and the Bill taken up.

Mr. HOLLAND moved that the further consideration of the Bill be postponed until the next session. Agreed to.

Mr. KEITH entered a motion to reconsider the above Bill.

NOTICES OF BILLS.

Mr. GREEN gave notice that on to-morrow, or some subsequent day, he will ask leave to introduce the following:

A Bill to increase the number of Trial Justices in the town of Georgetown;

A Bill to prohibit any Trial Justice in the town of Georgetown from issuing any warrant more than five miles out of the town;

A Bill that the Governor be empowered to appoint three reliable and competent taxpayers to investigate and ascertain the indebtedness of Georgetown County.

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

A Bill to prohibit County officers from holding more than one office.

BILLS, RESOLUTIONS, &c.

Mr. KEITH introduced the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed by the Speaker to sit during the recess of the General Assembly to inquire into and make full examination of all matters pertaining to the proper discharge of the official conduct of Hon. T. J. Mackey, Circuit Judge of the State of

South Carolina in and for the Sixth Circuit, and for said purpose are authorized and empowered to send for persons and papers.

Resolved, That said Committee are authorized to report by resolution or otherwise; and that they be further empowered to employ a clerk to assist in the work herein assigned.

Mr. JAMES introduced the following resolution:

Resolved, That the Clerk of the House be, and he is hereby, authorized to issue to Rev. C. W. Morsell, for services rendered as Chaplain, a certificate of two hundred dollars, ($200,) to be paid out of the contingent fund of the House.

On the adoption of the resolution, Mr. FERITER demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken, and are as follows:

Yeas, 23; nays, 38. Not adopted.

Those voting in the affirmative are

Messrs. Wideman, Porter, Heard, Pope, James, F. A. Palmer, Jeffer son, Jackson, Bennett, Cave, Brabham, Gantt, Robinson, Miller, Smalls, Capers, Humbert, Keith, Green, Thomas, Minort, Wells and R. J. Palmer-23.

Those voting in the negative are:

Messrs. White, Holland, Reed, Brodie, Simmons, Glover, Edwards, Prioleau, Vanderpool, Lesesne, Lazarus, Ford, Bryan, Tingman, A. Smith, Lee, Coleman, Alexander, Milton, Boston, Wines, J. A. Smith, Gibson, Martin, Kinloch, Gaither, Hough, Keitt, Caldwell, Forrest, Curtis, Lowman, Johnston, Feriter, Andrews, Scott, Peterson and Evans-38.

Mr. LOWMAN, pursuant to notice, and by leave, introduced

A Bill to provide for punishing persons for maltreating convicts confined in the South Carolina Penitentiary.

Read the first time, and referred to the Committee on the Penitentiary. Mr. HOLLAND introduced the following concurrent resolution, which, on motion of Mr. FERITER, was laid on the table:

Whereas the Special Joint Committee, appointed under House resolution to investigate the Ellenton, Hamburg and Rouse's Bridge outrages, by reason of the detention of material witnesses in the United States Court, and before the Senate and House Congressional Investigating Committees now in session in the city of Columbia, and in view of the early adjournment of the General Assembly, and of the importance of a thorough and speedy investigation; therefore,

Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring, That the said Committee are authorized and empowered to sit and take testimony during the recess of the General Assembly, and that they be further empowered to send for persons and papers.

Resolved, further, That to facilitate the performance of the work assigned them the said Committee be empowered to employ clerical assistance.

On motion of Mr. CURTIS, by unanimous consent, Rule 50 was suspended for this session.

Mr. KEITH introduced the following resolution:

Resolved, That the Clerk of the House be, and he is hereby, authorized to issue to Rev. C. W. Morsell, a certificate of one hundred dollars, to be paid out of the contingent fund of the House, as a gratuity.

On the adoption of the resolution, Mr. FERITER demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken, and are as follows:

Messrs. Wideman, Porter, Heard, Pope, Holland, F. A. Palmer, Jefferson, Jackson, Bennett, Cave, Gantt, Robinson, Miller, Smalls, Simmons, Glover, Edwards, Prioleau, Vanderpool, Lesesne, Lazarus, Capers, Ford, Bryan, Tingman, A. Smith, Coleman, Alexander, Milton, Boston, Humbert, Keith, Wines, J. A. Smith, Gibson, Martin, Green, Kinloch, Gaither, Dibble, Keitt, Thomas, Morgan, Caldwell, Forrest, Curtis, Minort, Wells, R. J. Palmer and Lowman-50.

Those voting in the negative are:

Messrs. Reed, Brodie, Lee, Johnston, Feriter, Andrews, Scott, Peterson and Evans-9.

Mr. CURTIS presented the account of the Columbia Gas Light Com

pany.

Referred to the Committee on Contingent Accounts and Expenses. Mr. MINORT introduced the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to wait upon the State Treasurer and ascertain what arrangements will be made to pay the members, officers and employees of this House.

The SPEAKER announced as the Committee, Messrs. Minort, Scott, Robinson, Keith and Bryan.

PAPERS FROM THE SENATE.

The Senate returned, with sundry amendments, the following:

A Bill (H. 6) to raise supplies for the fiscal year commencing November 1, 1876;

A Bill (H. 16) to make appropriations for the payment of the salary and mileage of the members of the General Assembly, and the salaries of subordinate officers and employees, and other expenses incidental thereto;

A Bill (H. 12) to make appropriations to meet the ordinary expenses of the State Government for the fiscal year commencing November 1, 1876.

The amendments were concurred in.