Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1865-06-16
Views OF Gov. pie,pont Expressed to
the Automatic Delegation.

|
the AIbcmarie> Delegation.
/ On Saturday the delegation from the
county Of Albemarle, consisting Of Alexan-
der Riyes, VIM. f. Gordon, Jr., Thomas
| Wood, S. V.Southall, and DR.. Alfred G.
Weod, called formally on Gov Pierpont
and presented him with copy Of the reso-
lut'ons Of the meeting in the county, which
will be found in another column.
The Governor received the gentlemen in
his private Office and addressed them con-
versatonally on the subject matter of the
revolutions. The following are the views
of Gov Pierpont
The Governor replied that he had previ>
ously received copy OF the resolutions.
ard had given them due consideration and
deliberatien, and that he deemed the only
point Of paramount consequence contained
in them was the request in the third reso-
/ lution-sthat esther the Governor or the
President of the United States should call
a Convention of the people to create Con-
stisution for the States' That he represen-
ted tho restored government of Virginia
!. and that government was recognized by the
President Of the United States as the law
full government Of Virginia, in June 1861,
aud was also recognized by both branches
of the Congress of the United States by the
admission, of members into both houses Of
that body representing that Government;
and, further, President johnson recognizes
IT, as is indicated in his late proclamation
to Virginia aud its officers. under the reyo-
lutionary government. He supposed that
it was conclusive that the President of the
United States, therefore, would not issue
the proposed proclamation. That, under
the Constitution, be. the Governor. had no
, authority to issue such proclalnation; he
could not fix the humber Of delegates or the
Qualification of delegates, or the quaifca-
ton of voters for the delegates, he having
no authority by law 50 to do, That Con
vention was not what Virginia wanted a.
!, the present time. in his estimation. The
people wanted law aud order administered
, by the legally created civil authorities. He
then stated, for arguments sake he would
: experimentally consider toe plan proposed
by the gentlemen from Albemerle, in order
to form an approximation Of the time re-
; CURED to put it into actual effect.
Ten days would b. required to prepare
the proclamation and attend to the neca ssa-
,, ry preliminaries Owing to the deranged
facilities for travc', twenty days would be
consumed in transmitting the proclamation
to the remote counties Of the State, then to
give the people full and proper notice and
time to select their candidates, it was fax
to presume that thirty days additional, at
least would be required. Surprising the
election to have taken place, then twenty
: days, at the lowest estimate, must be allow
ed the members to arrange their affairs and
reach the capital.
! Thus, then, at the lowest estimate you
have consumed eighty days before it will
be possible to assemble the Convention =
Judging by past experience, the number Of
members of the Convention would be based
upon the number of members of the Lower
> House of Delea ates, which in round num-
bers. is one hundred.
: OF course the abb st men would b, select
: I'd from each county as delegates, represent
ing all possible shades of opinion. from the
extreme Secessionist to the ultra Unionist
and considering the multidunious and weigh
ty questions that would arise during discu
: sion, it would be natural, their regulations
: being involved, for them 20 desire to place
themselves right 90 the record in regard t
each. Under these circumstances, If they
succeeded in forming Constitution in three
months, they would be fortunate in accom-
pish;ng the result with greater expedition
; than any similar previous assomblage thai
6 had ever met in the State.
: THIS Constitution would have to be print
: ed and circulated among the people, for
!, their in fornmtion, before they were called
to vote for its ratification. This woulo
take at least another month. Surprising
the people to have voted, before the resulI
of the election could be officially declared
fifteen days again would have elapsed. =
After this, your Constitute. being adopted
. thirty DAYS would be consumed in the cleo
: ton Of county and State officers under the
new Constitution.
Thus, then, period Of eight months
would have elapsed before you would have
your State organized with eli, il officers, and
this estimate Of tire nay be regarded as
/. rather under than over the period neoessa>
= ry.
During this time we collect no revenue,
and the Insane and Deaf and Dumb Asy-
5 Iums are unprovided fer, aud the unfortu-
nate inmates cry for bread. The expenses
) of the. elections and of the Convention will
: have to be betrayed; there will be no law
f administered nor order preserved over a
large portion Of the State, excepting through
the agencies Of Provost Marshals, How
ever we'll these officials might discharge
: their trust, it is not to be expected that
: satisfaction would be afforded, at least judg-
ing by past experience; INSTRUMENTATION
and anarchy would prevail, and a general
| license he afforded for the commission Of
crime Of all degrees of magnitude.
The Governor then proceeded to explain
his own views as to the most feasible and
expeditions method TO bring about the
sired result, and reques'ei the gentlemen
9 to compare his plans with. their own. He
, prefaced his remarks by stating that he act
ed under what is known az the ''Alexandria
Constitution. and felt all the force Of the
fact that it was adopted by small minori-
r. ~ rooxlo ri +I,o Gtoto