Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-12-10
Unconstitutional Bention.


October last, convened in Richmond, on Tues
day morning, December 3rd, at 10 o'clock, in
the Hall of the House Of Delegates.
Mr.. Platte, Of Petersburg. called the house
to order On his motion, Col. D. B. White,
of Elizabeth City, was elected temporary chair
man.
The proceedings OF the Convention were
opened with prayer by the Rev James ".
Mitchell of the Methodist Church North.
On motion Of Mr. Porter, of Chesterfield, r.
w. D. Bland, colored, of Prince Edward coun-
ty, was appointed secretary, pro tenn.
Mr.. Porter then moved that when the Con
vention adjourn, it do so to meet on Wednes-
day at II o'clock. Adopted
Mr.. Clements, of Portsmouth, moved that
Mr.. Charles Z. Whittlesey, of Alexandria, be
appointed assistant secretary. The motion was
adopted.
Mr.. Porter then moved that the roll ofmem-
bers be called. Adopted.
This duty was performed by j. W. d. Bland,
the colored secretary.
1t was announced that there were only eight
absentees.
A motion Of Mr.. Hunncutt, to appoint a
committee of three to inform Gen. Schofeld
that temporary organization Of the Conven-
ton had been effected and that it was ready to
receive any communication from him, was not
entertained.
On motion of Mr. Clements, Of Portsmouth,
the Convention then adjourned until II O. clock
on Wednesday, the 4th.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4th. The Convention
was called to order at u clock, by the tenn
porary chairman.
The Rev. James W. Mitchell opened the pro-
ceedings with prayer.
The roll was then called, and only one dele
gate, Robert S. Beazley, was found absent.
Mr. Porter moved that the Convention pro-
coed with the election of permanent officers
that a president, secretary, sergeant-at arms,
doorkeeper and first and second assistant door
keepers be voted for.
The election for the several offices resulted in
the election of the following officers:
President Of the Convention, Judge John G.
Underwood.
Secretary George Rye Of Woodstock
Sergeant alarms, w. e. Tall of Richmond.
Doorkeeper, VIM. Davis, (negro) of Elizabeth
City
FIRST ASSISTANT Dooyheeper, Edmund John
son, (negro) Of Prince Edward county.
Second assistant Doo3Aeeper, w. Putnam,
of Petersburg.
Mr.. Porter nominated Rev. James W.
Mitchell, Of the Methodist Church, North, fol-
chaplain.
Mr.. Duncan nominated the Rev. George G.
Brooks, of Roanoke, of the Methodist Episcopal
church. for the position.
Mr. Mitchell received 81 votes; Mr. Brooks
twenty
VIM. Fl. Samuels was elected stenographel
to report the proceedings of the Convention. &
A resolution authorizing the secretary topur
chase stationery for the use of the Convention,
was adopted.
| Mr.. Hunnicutt moved that a committee O
three be appointed to inform General Schofele
that the Convention was organized and ready
to receive any Communication he might haVett
make Adopted.
Messrs Hunnicutt, Platte and Snead wert
appointed the committee.
General Campbell, who was present from
headquarters, then presented the following
communication to the President, which. on mo
ton, was laid on the table and ordered to b.
printed:
| 70 the President ot'the
Stote Contention, Richmond, Virginia
SRI have the honor of submitting here
with for the information and action Of the Con
lyention, the following papers:
l.. Official copies, as published In Genera
Orders from the War Department, of the act o
Congress, passed March I'd, 1867, entitled Al
act to provide for the more efficient government
of the rebel States, " and the acts supplement-
airy thereto, passed March Esd and July 18th
| 1867. which acts of Congress constitute the au
! thority under which the Convention was called
| and defines its powers and duties (A)
/ 2. A copy Of General Orders No. X, cur
rent series, from these headquarters, giving tht
names of the delegates elected to the Conven
ton according to the returns Of the officers Wil(
conducted the election. (B)
3. Letters from Frederick S. Turkey, q can
didate for delegate to the Convention from the
eleventh district composed of the counties o.
Augusta Albemarle and Louisa, protesting
against counting the ballots cast for James o.
Southall in the sixth nlagisterial district OF Au
gasta county, claiming seat as delegate te
the Convention, together with the report Of
Mr.. Thomas 2. Jackson, President OF the
Board Of Registration Of Augusta county, or
this subject. (C)
T. A letter from 1Iessrs n A. Sturdivant
Marmaduke johnson, Thomas j. Evans, Alex
Ell. Sands aud VIM. Taylor, protesting against
counting the ballots cast in the first, second and
third wards of the city Of Richmond, on account
Of the manner in which the election was con
Quoted in those wards, and asking that they be
awarded seats in the Convention in place O
James W. Hunnicutt, John g. Underwood
James AIorrissey, Lewis Lindsey and JOSEPH
Cox, with my reply thereto, (p)
5. A petition from certain citizens of Mont
gomery county, asking that the election Of A.
Ell. i. Lannegan as delegate to the Convention
be set aside (E)
g. Letters from John B. Eastman, Of Lou
lisa county, Samuel &. Seay, of Amelia county
and Robert S. lseazley, Of Greene county, dele
gates elect to the Convention, rendering their
designations as such, with copies OF my replies
| thereto. LEI
I. Copies of my replies to enquiries address
ed me IN reference to the eligibility to election
as delegates to the Convention. (G)
! I shall be pleased to furnish the Convention
with all information and copies of all papers
| and documents In my possession and which may
be required by you IN your deliberations.
j. NJ. ScHoFIELD, Major General
Mr.. Hine moved that a committee of three
on credentials be appointed.
The motion was amended SO as to make the
committee consist of FIVE, and the following
members were appointed on it, viz: Messrs.
Hine, Thomas, Wilson, Bowden and Scott
! Dir. Southall gave notice that as the letter Of
+. S. Tukey, contestiBg his seat, would be print
ed with the papers sent by General Schofeld
he would claim the privilege Of having his reply
printed.
/ The request was considered eminently proper
| by the President. and acceded to-
Mr.. Thomas offered resolution instructing
! the sergeant at arms to have enough seats.
nearest the chair Of the President, to accommo-
date the members of the Convention, number
ed and that when this shall have been done,
| members shall be required to draw for their
seats.