The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-10
RECONSTR UCTTON.
virginia Roconstru st,on UOnventiou

Virginia RecOnStru cEiOn Convention.
RIcHMoND, Dec. o. T. Te proceedings in Con-
Yendon were OF mark ed interest to-day. AS
soon as 1t was called to order, Governor Smythe
Of New Hampshire, an al Governor Pierpont, Of
this state, appeared fOn the floor, accompanied
by their wives and triends. The Convention
received the distngr fshed visitors standing and
with perfect decoru a. Governor PierpOnt first
made few comm hnplaoe remarks, which were
received quietly. Governor Smythe, being re-
quested by the president, then arose, and in
very modest way spoke for a few minutes.
His remarks ere listened to with the greatest
attention, espec rally by the conservative side of
the house. His audience was certainly a very
intelligent one. for the lobbies were filled with
some of our Iest white citizens. and the gal
lerles preseut ed q respectable array of people.
The burden 4 his speech was the comparison
of the super :iority of the fertile fields of Vir-
ginia with tihe STERILE cold, and barren lands
and climate of mis- own State ending by predict
ing for us. a glorious future, agriculturally,
minerally, politically, commercially and
socially. The Governors speech ended, the
distinguls he'd visitors sgnided their desire to
retire. the gayel of the President called the
members to their feet, and the two Governors
and thei wives passed down the main aisle and
into the street.
The entire business of the Convention was re-
lative to the pay OF the officers and members.
1t resAltea, alter much opposition, inIfxing the
perSdlem at So, and the mileage of members of
General Assembly. Liboral pay was given to
the officers. The chairman of the Finance Com
mittee was happy to state that the Legislature
had made abundant provisions in it's budget for
\ the expenses of the Convention, and no addi-
tional tax would have to be levied. Tomorrow
the oath question will be brought up and it will
be promptlydecided. The opinion of the caucus
held tonight is that no oath can be required of
sovereigns. The decision is that neither the test
oath nor any other qualification save that of
vote Is necessary.
An article will be engrafted on the Constitu-
tion that suffrage shall be universal until 1870.
after which no man arriving at the age of
twenty-one years shall be allo wed to vote unless
he can read and write his own name. The
spirit of the Convention is liberal and highly
conservative. As the majority are deeply in
teresed in the prosperity of Virginia, they will
make a Constitution which will restore peace
and confidence to the State and insure our
n Temple will be iGaugurated by laying the cor
ner stone. 1t will be grand affair. Next day
the Conservative Convention will meet to do
nothing. Then will come the meeting OF those
giaLts the editors. An eVentful week is before
"a Fus Mr.. Southal editor of the Charlottesville
Chronicle, will be, ousted from his seat because
he e,neither registered nor voted.
The Virginia Conservative Convention.
RICHMOND, Va, Dec. 9.-There win be proba.
II bly, tive hundred delegates at the Conservative
Convention on Wednesday. Eg-Congressman
Thomas S. Flourpoy is a delegate from Halifax
county. He is representative man, and says
81 the Convention will be Opphsed to universal
suffrage, but will favor impartial suffrage on
ID educational and property qualifications. The
" Convention will also favor G rant for the Pres-
dency, on the New York platform, and will be
n liberal in every particular. An address will be
issued the people of the United States, setting
W forth these views. "A radical caucus will be
~ held on Thursday night to nominate Governor
Land other State officers. Senator Wilson will be
II here tomorrow to look after things.