The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-05
The Tirginia Convention
ORDERED BY CONGRESS TO
FRAME A STATE CONSTITUTION.
Nd DAY.

+,
Some time before the assembling of the
Convention yesterday the hall of the
House Of Delegates was crowded with men
of all colors, while in the galleries, over
head, was cloud of black heads as closely
brought together, almost, as packed her
rings. The crowd, however, seemed dis
posed to be orderly, and only occasional
demonstrations of any kind were made.
OPENING OF THE SESSION.
AS the hands Of the clock reached the
hour Of II, General" W. B. WHITE
called the house, to order, and the
Rev. Mr.. Mitchell offered up prayer.
The CHAIR requested that the aisles and
seats be cleared by all persons not men,
bers Of the Convention.
Mr.. PORTER, Of Chesterfield, suggested
that it be required that the aisles be cleared.
The CHAIR said that no business could
be proceeded with until the aisles be
cleared.
Mr.. PLATTE moved that WILLIAM R.
TALL he elected temporary sergeant-at-
arms, with instructions to clear the aisles.
[" Second dc notion" by several both in
side and outside of the Conventon.l
| Captain TALL was unanimously elected,
and after a time proceeded in the dis
charge Of his duties by direction of the
CHAIR.
Mr.. CLEMENTS, of Norfolk, moved that
the calling OF the roll be dispensed with.
| This motion was apparently not enter
tanned, as il had no second.
! Mr.. THOMAS suggested that the bust
ness be at once proceeded With, the aisles
being cleared, and the crowd of spec
tators who had evidently come with a
laudablc curiosity to witness the proceed
ings of the Convention being very wcll-be-
haved.
The desired order Of things being re-
stored, the secretary proceeded to call the
roll.
Mr.. ROBERT S. BEAZLEY, of Madison,
was found TO be the only member not pre-
sent.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
Mr.. PORTER, Of Chesterfield, moved that
| the Convention at once 60 into permanent
organization and elect the following ofli-
GERS President, secretary, sergcant-at-
| arms, doorkecper, first and second assist
ant doorkeepers, and chaplain. This
motion was carried.
A motion was submitted by member
| that q stenographer be elected.
| Mr.. Thomas thought that the Convention
should consider before they go into such
election what it would cost 20 have a STE
nographer. The great labor required Of q
steDographer would entitle hitn TO DO well
paid, and the printing OF the proceedings
! would also cost great deal.
| Mr.. CLEMnETs said that ii coul9 not be
questioned but that a stcnographic re-
porter would bo required. lie would
! therefore call the previous question.
! The previous question being sustained,
it was decided that Stenographer should
| be elected.
Mr.. PORTER, of Norfolk, delegate from
Chesterfield, nominated Judge JOHN c.
UNDERWOOD for the presidency.
Mr.. JOSEPH T. CAMPBELL CONSERVATIVE,
from Washington, nominated the Rev.
NoRvAL WILSON, of Frederick, for the
presidency. This occasion was one Of the
deepest interest to the State, and it was
important that the Convention should elect
officers in every way capable Of filling
their places. Without drawing any com
parison against the gentleman already
nominated, he would urge the eminent
capacity Of his nominee.
Mr.. f. B. TAYLOR, Of Franklin, nomi-
mated Mr.. SNEAD, of Accomac. lie was
not only worthy OF tho position, but was
we'll known by the people of Virginia.
Mr.. SNEAD (RadicaD said that he was
deeply sensible OF the compliment paid
! him, but he did not think he had sufficient
| familiarity with the forms Of procedure Oh
/ deliJerative bodies to discharge the duties
of the office acceptably. Besides this, he
was present in the Republican caucus the
night before, and be felt bound to it's action
and in support of Mr. UNDERWOOD.
A Conservative member seconded the
nomination of Mr.. WILSON, and spoke in
high terms Of his eminent fitness for the
presidency Of the Convention.
Mr.. TAYLOR said that, with all due re-
spect to the wishes of MIR. SNEAD, he
would decline to withdraw his name.
No other nominations being made, the
roll was called with the following result :
Underwood, 65; Wilson, 33; Snead, 3;
Bowden, |. Total, lO2.
Mr.. UNpERwooD was declared elected.
las HUNNIcUTT's name was called, he set
his teeth, and compressing his mouth with
his peculiar air of defiance, exclaimed
with emphasis "Hon. JOHN G. UNDER
woop." This provoked several 81 yi's "
and any amount Of grins from his Wor-
shippers in the galleries and asles. LEWIS
LINDSEY called out, like Brother
Bones y of minstrel troupe, the name OF
the same candidate, which caused laughter
from the same quarter. UNDERWOOD voted
for BowDEN. Rev. Mr. WILSON declined
voting.
On motion Of Mr.. CUETIs, a committee
of three was appointed to conduct the
president elect to the chair-Viz., Messrs.
CURTIS, BowDEN, and SNEAD.
The committee conducted Mr.. UNDER
WOOD to the chair, and he, after lingering
for while with some papers, and hnding q
convenient locality for his umbrella, al
dressed the Convention as follows:
MIR. uNpERwooD's ADDRESS.
aGenticmcn Of the Convention Sin
cerelv sorry that your suttrages have not
secnred an abler and wiser presiding otil-
car Won have my hearty thanks for your
generous and fattering appreciation OF my
Door services in the cause OF human Tree
dom and human equality.
"God grant that, with Christian cnarlty
and benevolence to all, aud with as mucn
forgiveness and forgetfulness Of other inJu-
rjes--of past injuries and past contilcts-as
is consistent with future safety, we may
All address ourselves to the great Work OF
framing the most humane, benehcen',
equal. and just Constitution posslble,-;a
Canst;,ution which will provide for the chill
Sren of Virginia, that noblest of States.
tho prevention Of crime, thorough ana
off sfG cient + mental and moral education Zap
ulause). diffusiDg knowledge and wisdom
,o,.od snn diffuses light and heat