The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-04
THE STATE CONSTITUTIONAL CON
yENTION.
ASSEMBLING OF DELEGATES.
TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION.
ROLL OF THE CONVENTION.
SUMMARY ADJOURNMENT.

SL-HUAR1 IDJOCRA.uENT
/! Yesterday, for the first time since the
adjournment of the Virginia Legislature,
over the capitol building. Itsigni6ed that
the Convention to frame Constitution for
the State was about to assemble.
The hall Of the House Of Delegates,
which had been designated by General
Schofield as the place of meeting, had
been thoroughly overhauled, the floors
secured and mating relaid, a lock and key
placed upon each desk, everything put in
place, ready to receive the members of
the Convention. Ten o'clock was the time
appointed. Before 9 the delegates began
to climb the capitol hill, and by 81 ma
jority were in the hall. The colored
members generally pushed forward, and
seated themselves as near as possible to
the Speakers chair. The Radical whites
stood in groups in the aisles and lobby,
while the few Conservative gentlemen who
were present gathered together on the
right of the Chair, evidently avoiding the
| good humorcd crowd of white Radicals,
| blacks, and mulattoes, on the other side of
the house. The line of division was there
fore distinctly drawn at the outset.
Among the members present were no.
| ticed several persons whose connection
with political affairs since the enfranchise-
ment Of the negro has made them quite
conspicuous and their names familiar to
the public. Hawxhurst, the president Of
the Capitol Square Mass Republican Con-
| vention Hodges, of Princess Anne, dark
mulatto with shining, curly locks and enor-
nous brass-rim spectacles; Lindsay, the
notorious Richmond incendiary; Captain
Platte, late Of Vermont, now of Peters
burg, ex-commissary United States army !;
Maddox, the youthful representative Of
Chesterfield Colonel William James, ex-
collector Of internal revenue for the Rich
mond district; the "irrepressible DR..
Bayne," colorcd dentist, from Norfolk
Yankee Allen" whose character the
| Lynchburg papers represent in no tavora-
| ble light; Hunnicutt Underwood Porter
of Norfolk, representing Powhatan Nor
rissey, delegate from Richmond; two
score Radicals Of lesser note, all dressed
in their Sunday clothes.
ORGANIZATION.
The temporary organization was eff
| fccted in accordance with the programme
published in the Dispatch of yesterday.
AS the clock struck ten, Captain Platte,
of Petersburg, fastened to the chair, and
vigorously raped upon the secretary's
desk with his cane. He said "Gentle-
men, the hour for meeting having arrived,
it is proper that we should proceed to a
temporary organization. | would request
that all who arc not delegates will leave
the floor Of the house,"
There was great scufllng for seats, re-
moving of hats, coughing, and clearing
of threats. Presently order prevailed,
and Captain Platte nominated for chair
man Colonel D. B. White, representative
Of Elizabeth City.
The vote was taken, and Colonel White
elected without dissent. No Conservative
voice was heard.
Colonel White, taking the speakers
| chair, said that he must decline making
any remarks, except to thank the Conven-
ton for the honor conferred upon him. He
thought the delegates had reason to con-
gratulatc themselves upon the peaceful
circumstances with which they found
themselves surrounded. Much was owing
to Providence, and therefore, according to
custom, he would call upon minister pre-
sent to lead in prayer.
Rev. James Mitchell, who is never
ttound wanting" at Radical gathering,
was standing near the Chair, ready for the
call, and promptly proceeded to obey.
After tho prayer, the Chairman an
nounced that the election of temporary
secretary was next in order.
Mr.. Porter, of Powhatan and Chester
field, nominated for the position j. W.
D. Bland, of Prince Edward. He was
elected mem. con.
Bland Immediately took his seat, bow
ing respectfully to the delegates before
him. He is a likely-looking colored man,
whose appearance would indicate that he
has barely attained his majority. Sta
tionery had not been provided, and the
secretary found it necessary to ransack
his pockets for bits of paper whereon to
enter his record of the proceedings.
On motion of Mr.. Porter, it was ordered
that when the Convention adjourn Il ad-
iourn to meet tomorrow "wednesday at
I'm.
Captain Platte, of Petersburg, said that
as many members Of the Convention had
lust arrived, and no plan Of procedure
had been agreed upon, he moved that the
Convention now adjourn.
Mr.. Clements, Of Portsmouth, hoped the
gentleman would withdraw his motion to
| adjourn, as it was very important that the
roll should first be called.
Captain Platte withdrew the motion, and
the secretary was about to call the roll OF
delegates as published in General Scho-
fields order, when
Mr.. Porter moved that an assistant Sec
rotary be elected. Agreed to.
Mr.. Whittlesea, editor of the Alexandra
Journal was elected without dissent.
LIST OF DELEGATES.
The roll was then called and the follow
ing delegates responded:
CITY of Richmond-James w. Hunnicutt,
J. G. Underwood, James Morrissey, Lewis
Lindsey, and Joseph Cox. County OF Norfolh
and city of Portsmouth-james II. Clements
Luther Lee, Jr, and George Ieamon. Abe
marle-C. l.. Thomson and James 7. ). Tay-
lor. Augusta-Powell Harrison and Joseph
| A. Waddell. Bedford-Gaston u. Curtis ana
| David Staley. mpbetl-Samuel D. VII
| hanson and Samuel r. Kelsoe. Halifax-"i IL
| liam L. Owen and David Canada LoGdoun-
Mecklenburg-Sandford NJ. Dodge and John
Watson Pittsylvania-Levi Q Thayer ana
Herbert A. Wicker. Rockngham-John Z.
Woodson and Jacob N. Light: City OF Nor
folk-Henry NJ Bowden and Thomas Bayne
Petersburg-James H. Platte, Jr:, and Peter
| G.. Morgan. Alexandria-John Hawxhur 81
Amelia-Samuel R. Seay. Amherst-John W.
Broadus Botetourt-L. Linkenhoker. Bruhs-
.1yicr-WilIiam Leahy. Buckingham-trank
Moss. Charlotte-Edw'd Nelson. CulPeper-
Fayette Mauzy: CumberIaho-J4 Ii hooah'