The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-03-13
Virginia.
From the Richmond Times, Feb. 25.

On Friday night some ten or a dozen members OF
the Legislature held private meeting in the room OF
the Court of Appeals i'll the capitol to confer toGether
upon the political situation for the South as affected
BY the military reconstruction bill. Alter cOnsua-
| ton it WIS determined to send delegation to the
| Governor to learn his views on the subject.
! The Governor replied to the delegation that he
would them in the capitol the following even
ing and then and there give to such members OF the
Legislature chose to be present his views and ad,
vice us the best course be pursued by the State
at the present iuncture The public not invited,
nor indeed believe, expected be present on the
interesting occasion, but that something unusual was
to be done in the capitol having been Whispered about
at the hour fixed for the speaking some thirty or forty
citizens had COLLECTED in the Senate chamber, while in
the lobby and Senate chamber together there were,
perhaps, about the same number OF members OF the
Legislature.
1t is proper here to state that such prominent and
influential members Of either House present
attended solely because they considered tproper they
should be present in any discussion followed the
Governors remarks.
The Governor was punctual to his engagement and
proceeded to give his views. lie believed that the
military reconstruction bill recently passed by Con-
gress would become law, and thcnghta convention
should be cledat to frame constitution accord
ing to the provisions Of that bill.
This action the part Of the State would be popu-
lar with the negroes and defeat the o ectS of certain
designing and evil disposed politicians in the State.
1.-THE Legislature representing the best class OF the
people, did not call convelrti0n tie worst class, re-
presented by the designing politicians aforesaid, would
and they would frame constitution suiting themselves,
but oppressive to the majority of the people. The
Governor advcrtcd to the question whether or not
Virginia was State--whether her government was or
WAS not "proyisional and the probable action Of
the Supreme Court, should that question be brought
before it, and stated upon the authority of prominent
lawyer Of Petersburg that the Supreme Court had
adopted rule Decide at least within the next
years. any political questions, the decision of which
would Interfere with the legislation Of Congress i'll the
matter of reconstruction.
We have given in brief the substance Of the Gov
crnors remarks. Ills views meet the appreciation OF
an insutIcienty small number Of the members of the
Legislature. The majority scout his proposition, and
indignant that he, standing at the head OF the gov
of Virginia. should be the very first man to
into strike bis coIols to tl2 radical power, and
by owedgng that he is only the provisional Gov
ernor Of the State, confess that lie is ntcroper
To his fears that unuicu and the negroes will frame
constitution distlsteIu and oppressive to M orty
OF the people, the majority OF tie Legislature reply
that that constitution must, under the express nrOvl
sion Of the BILL be submitted to the people, and that
the people will vote it down. MoFeorer they believe
that this Legislature h,s authority, if it were
eXpedient, to call a convention.