The Van Buren press., 1868-01-24
From little Rock Campaign Gazette.
RADICAL STATE CONVENTION
AFTERNOON SESSION.

We obtained the proceedings of this
body in full, but find it impossible to pub
lish them by reason of want of space.
We present the more important features
of its acts in the following summary;
The Convention reasscmblcd at , o.
clock. The Committee on Credentials
presented their report, showing all but
I've Counties represented, to-wit Crit
tenden, Perry, Poinsett, White and New
ton 1t was finally concluded to allow
al of these Counties, excepting White, to
be represented by their Delegates in the
constitutional Convention, as were three
fourths ofthe other Counties. The greater
part of the elected delegates were repre-
sented by proxies.
When the Delegates from Columbia
were announced, Mr.. Beasley said the
party there thought this movement pre-
mature, and while himself and his col
league, Mr. McCown, had the authority
to represent the County, they would fol
bow instructions and decline to participate
In the proceedings Of the Convention.
The name of ID. Rives had been announc-
ed as delegate; if that gentleman as
sumed to represent Columbia he must be
responsible for his action.
After representatives had been appor-
toned to all the Counties but White, the
Committee on permanent organization
reported Mr.. Brooks, of Phillips, as
President; 7. NJ Jacks, VIM. G.. Hollis,
f. D. Ham and j. I. Elliot as Vice-pres
idents, and j. V. Fitch, j. G. Price, NJ,
McCanny and Valentine Dell, as Secreta-
ries.
Here commenced the struggle between
the native Union men and the imported
stock. Motions followed motions in
quick succession, and the hall soon be
came scene of confusion. The natives
were determined to elect Dell, Of the Fort
Smith New Era, and the imported finally
consented to give them an opportunity
to try their strength by calling the roll
of Counties on the vote for President
The result was Brooks, the candidate of
the latter, received 144 votes to 80 for
\ Dell This was the first triumph over the
natives
Mr.. Brooks was conducted to the Chair,
and in quite lengthy speech returned
thanks and died, fought and bled over
again for his country and furiously way
ed the flag of the Union over the body of
sanctifed loyalty. The Vice presidents
were then elected as reported and also
the Secretaries, substituting Keys Dan
4 forth for Valentine Dell, whom the i'm
ported seemed to determined to keep out
of every position. A committee was
4 raised and sent for Gov. Murphy, who
wus received on the floor Of the Conven
ton with loud applause, which was ac-
knowledged with one ofhis characteristic
: bows, something in the manner in which
q blind beggars extend their hand for aims.
The natives here made an effort to ad
journ until tomorrow. All their Dele
gates had not yet arrived, and the chances
4 for their defeat were decidedly flattering,
In this they were defeated, as also in an
effort to fix a rule requiring two thirds of
the Delegates present necessary for a
4 choice The imported party finding they
were in the majority, determined to force
their nominations through; and finally,
after considerable skirmishing, The vote
was had on nominations for Governor.
Powell Clayton received ll2 votes j. NJ.
Johnson, 40; Enoch II. Vance, II; and
II. j. L. White, 3; the North west and
West voting mostly for Johnson. When
Crawford county was called, Mr. Bowen
stated his County had instructed the Dele
CATION to vote as unit; and as two Of
the three Delegates were for Clayton, he
would cast the entire vote for Clayton if
their was no objection.
Mr. Cooper said there was serious OBJ
lection; there was objection to kicking y
man out Of this party. He would correct
the statement of Mr. Bowen by saying
that at the County meeting n resolution
instructing for Clayton was voted down,
and by implication it would appear that
the instructions would be against Clayton.
Mr.. Bowen said the gentleman had not
stated the facts as they occurred. lie
was present and the gentleman was not,
and furthermore he had secured the elect
ion Of the gentleman rs II Delegate 1t
had been proposed to instruct for Clayton
but it was afterwards agreed not to do so,
and leave it to the discretion Of the Del.
egation whom to vote for. Was not that
50 (to Mr.. "copper"
Mr.. Cooper don't know; obtained
my information from you in the first
place, and i'll can't believe that can't be.
licve anything.