The New York herald., 1867-12-15
4 RECONsTRUCTlON.
TILE VAGINA STATE CONVENTION.


Fg-6r,h Days Proceedings md Spirit oil the
Body.
RcHaosp, Va, Dec q. 1897
The proceedings opened to-day by debate on the ap-
pontment OF committees which brought out the spirit
of both parties in a striking manner. Leading radical
smpers contended that had yet been asceraince
who were delegates proper the Convention that
trs or officers had been sworn in and thu GER
sests we're contested and had 10 undergo AN inyrssa
ton On the other hand conserv alive n,an,ears
argued that until committees wero appointed no sub
ject could como properly tefore the Convention.
and tina, COMMITTEES on the subject Of contested
elections should be one among the number. This met
with good deal OF favor among moderate radicals and
for q time the debate became Doubtful Tho utmost
confusion prevailed. 'De previous question, favor
ite parliamentary phrase with the negroes was SO mixed
up with substitutes, motions and amendments that
neither the Chairman majority OF the Convention
knew what going on.
In this ss the sable delegates looked mplorngly to
Hunnicut and others in the hopes OF cleaning in
formation, but excepting Porter, Platte and Thomas
radicals there lew representing that party who
knew much about parliamentary usages rules OF
debate Confusion continued, and each moment the
Convention became befoggcd and tho African
delegates more and more bewdared The radical lead
era could onlighten the body would not, aud the
conservative members who in the movement n
desire 10 oust them by the administration or tho
OATH ist confusion reign supreme and the Conv
brains like its color, continued 10 be darkened by
cloud Platte lradicRh OF Petersburg. and Williams,
body and soon they began 10 this dark natter
which, after some little more wrangng resulted in tho
adoption OF tho following
Resolved That COMMITTEES OF thirteen be appointed 20
report 70 h Convention the best practical mode Of pro.
Number aud dus 81 inc standing aps
Tor the proper performance OF the business Of this conven
THIS matter disposed OF, a radical member, an ex-
federal berb-proof general, offered tho following which
is destined 10 cause strife, confusion and probably
sfnash-up oil the convention
Committee Priye and Elections
be and they are hereby instructed g ascertain II there be
ss @ recent % Aa a. 9, known as the
this Convention As soon as practicable
In addition to this Committee Finance also
appointed, the radicals being somewhat pushed about
tner board bills and consequently anxious 10 secure
some means or defraying expenses
Locking at the body from Northern standpoint, and
bearing ia mind tho recent verdict in ONO, New York
and Pennsylvania IL is forcb!y striking tnai the ex-
pensc 20 which the state OF Virginia impover shed
H. beng put by this reconstruction farce entirely
foreign TO every object that has patriotism in view
Summing tho whole up In nutshell, the spirit OF the
be enumerated rs follows:-Radical members, faking
their cue fom the aspiring Henry Wilson. who to
sp INTO the Presidency IN case OF failure OF Grant
Chase 70 secure the nomination majority in
the electoral college, intent upon universal negro
suffrage, which will be one Of the main features in
The new constitution. They viii also repudate all
debts contracted previous to the war; in the hope Of
securing the sympathies OF ''poor whites and all the
negroes There will scarcely DO any alteration Of the
marital code ard though Illegal cohabtation between
the races may ind opposition in the legislation Of
Aho convention, miscegenaiion and aInaigamatton,
where II can he legally carried out, will DO winked
The interest the State debt will be paid according
70 previous acts OF the legislature which pay
nents OF interest semi iannualy until otherwise pro-
vlded.
The conservative delegates, not knowing whether
they Will be permitted the Convention no
are IN favor or cooperating with the ultra radicals
adopting constitution that viii be repulsive TO
the people OF Virginia and thus insure defeat when
comes up for ratification. The radical members how
over, express desire TO mako the constitution un
exceptionaole as possible and thus leave the blame
thc people.