Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-02-15
The Virginia State Convention
RICHMOND, FEBRUARY 10, 1881.

| The Virginia State Convention met this
| day at y O'clock in the Hnll Of the House
Of Delegates, in conformity with the require
ncntS of the law authorizing the election Of
delegates to that body. The Hall was neccs.
sarily thronged, having to accommodate not
only the members Of the Convention, but the
members Of the General Assembly, who took
positions in the lobby, and other available
points within the Hall. The galleries were
crowded, and iii fact, every point in and out
Of the Hall, within hearing distance. One
gallery was reserved exclusively for ladies, n
large number Of whom were present during
the session Of the Convention
In order to enable the members Of that body
to accommodate themselves to seats, in sutli-
cient time to be prepared to p, oceed to business
when the hour for assembling arrived, the
House Of Delegates adjourned at about twenty
minutes before twelve.
When that hour arrived,
Ropr f. SCOTT, Of Fauquier, called the Con.
vention to order, and addressed the body rs
follows:
Gentlemen of the Convention, At the request
Of sundry members, rise for the purpose Of
calling this body to order; and with a view to
its organization, it has been suggested that VIC
appoint temporary Chairman TO preside over
the deliberations Of the body; and, if it meets
the appreciation Of the Convention, propose
for that office Mr.. JAMES II. Cox, of Chester
field and it no other name is put in nonna
tion, will take the liberty Of submitting the
name Of that gentleman to the vote OF the
Convention.
The question having been taken on the mo-
ton, it was unanimously agreed to.
Mcssrs SCMMERs and PATRICK, Of kanawha
were appointed a committee to inform Mr.. Cox
Of his election to the temporary Chairmanship
and to conduct him to the Chair.
That duty having been performed, and Mr..
Cox having taken the Chair, said
Gentlemen Of the Convention, permit me to
offer to you my profound acknowledge for
the distinguished honor which you have con-
ierred upon me, by calling upon me to act
temporarily ucrcly-us the President OF this
august body.
Gentlemen, you hold in your hands the dcs-
tinies Of this great nation. Upon the wisdom
of your deliberations, verify believe, depends
not only the honor and safety Of this good old
Commonwealth, but the prosperity Of our Re-
publican Institutions need not remind you
that "order is natures first law" When
/ behold those who arc before rne, when
contemplate the magnitude Of the &C.
casion which assembled US, | know that
order will reign supreme and that during your
deliberations the least important of all the du-
duties which your presiding officer will have to
perform will be that Of keeping order.
Permit ne again, gentlemen, to return you
my HEARTFELT thanks for the honor you hnVe
| conferred upon ME, and allow me 10 express
hopc-that your deliberations will terminate in
| honor to yourselves and this good old Com
monwealth, and the concilation Of this great
Republic.
Mr.. ScoTr-In order to proceed further with
the objects of the Convention, it is necessary
to appoint temporary Secretary, and for that
5tfice now present the name Of VIM. F. Cor
don, DR., Clerk OF the House Of Delegates
The motion was agreed to unanimously,
whcrcupon, call Of the roll was ordered,
and the following members answered to their
| names:
Accomac,, Vim. H. B. Custis -Albemarle,
James P. Holcombe-A Alexandria, George W.
Brcnt-Aleghany and Bath, Thos. Sitlington.
Amelia and Notroway, Lewis E. Harvie.-Am-
berst SamuelM. Garland.-Appomattox, Lew
is 3. Isbell.-Augusta, A. Fl. H. Stuart John
3. Baldwin, George Baylor.-Barbour, Samuel
] Woods. s.-Bedford, VIM. L. Goggin--Berksley,