Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-16
West Virginia acknowledgements
tive Convention.

West Virginia met in Wheeling on Wednes-
dav Of last week. The assemblage of mem
hers was one of the largest ever held in the
State. and composed of the talent and intelli-
gence of every County.
The Convention was called to order at 10 o.
clock, by D. Lamb, Chairman of the Execu-
tive Committee Of the State, who, after read
ing the call converting the Convention, re-
marked that the elections which were to occur
during the present year were fraught with
greater interest than any which mad occurred
since the foundation OF the Government. He
said the prospects for the success Of the Con-
sentative party were highly aattering, and for
this reason this Convention had been called at
such an early day. We had local issues in our
own State which demanded the earnest effort
Of every opponent of Radicalism: if we but do
our duty we shall soon see prescription and
tyranny fade away.
The Convention was temporarily organized
by calling Capt. John S Burdett, Of Taylor
county, to the Chair. Upon taking the Chair,
Mr.. Burdett after thanking the Convention
for the honor conferred, said that for over three
long years the Conservative party of West Nir-
GINA had been disorganized and working bad
ly in the traces. What we wanted in this
State was an effective organization for the de-
struction Of the party which had well-nigh de-
stroyed the Government. He said think Of
one-third of the States of our Union, lying I'M
der tyranny and despotism; think Of the COM
mercial and financial interests Of the land be-
ing Frustrated; think of ten States being I'M
der the heel of negroes, and any candid man
can realize the importance of the issues we
meet to deliberate upon.
Messrs. John J. Brown, of Monongalia, and
J. F. Campbell, of Brooke, were chosen tempo
raTy Secretaries.
A committee Of one from each Senatorial
District was appointed on permanent orsanl-
zation. Whilst the committee were out, upon
suggestion. brief speeches were made upon call
by the Convention.
Our County-man, John \. Thomson, Esq,
responded, briefly and to the point, to the call
made upon him. While Mr.. T. was speaking
the committee on permanent organization came
in and sisui6ed their readiness to report, and
he gave way.
The Committee reported the following as the
permanent officers Of the Convention:
For President, Col. B. II. SMITH.
For Vice Presidents-Lewis Applcgate, of
/ Brooke county; Funtain Smith. of Marion
/ r. Davidson, of Taylor; Cyrus Vance, Of Hair
/ rison; J. V. Rathburn. of Wood; NJ. Ennis
| ton, Of Lewis; John Hall, of Mason; II. 5.
Samuels, of Clbel; a. s. Sperry, Of Green
| brier; John Jacobs of Hampshire: John w.
Kennedy Of jefferson.
For Secretaries-J S. Campbell Of Brooke
Okey Johnston, of Wood; Lewis Shatfer, Of
Berkeley.
At the afternoon session, reports from COM
mittees were presented. Mr.. H. S. Walker,
from the committee on Party Organization and
Address, reported the following plan, which
was unanimously adopted:
PLAN OF ORGANIZATION.
The committee believe that in order to as
sure success in the coming canvass, five objects
should especially be kept in view:
1st. The collection of money in liberal sums
to be used for lawful political purposes.
ID The polling of the entire registered vote
of the State by townships, in orderthat the ac-
tual strength Of each party may be ascertained.
Two lists should be prepared, one for each par
ty, that will show the present strength of each.
3D. Lists should be prepared containing the
names of doubtful voters, with a statement OF
the supposed political inclinations ofeach voter.
4th. An enrolment of the names of such un-
registered voters rs eau subscribe to the test
oath should be prepared
9TH. Provision should be made for bringing
TO bear upon doubtful or Radical voters such
legitimate inStrumentIl,ticS Is will induce them
to unite with Us for theOyerthruw of Radlcallsn.
Other proper objects of organization will
readily occur, but IN Orderthat the ends named,
constituting tie prime conditions Of success,
may be first secured, your committee recon-
mend,
lst. The appointment of n State Executive
Committee, composed of active, earnest aud an
firing men, to whom may be entrusted the
general supervision Of the organization and the
campaign. Ia this appointment the fitness uf
the men for the work should be an essential
condition of selection.
2i. The organization, at each Court House
in the State ifcXpcdicnt, of County AsSocia-
tlonS upon the plan herewith reported. to
which should be assigned the duty Of county
organization. Said Associations should be in
direct and regular communication with the
State Executive Committee, and should make
To 1t detailed monthly reports, or oltener if
possible, of the progress of the work.
81. The organization Of Township Associa-
tons upon the same general plan with the
County Associations, TO have over their town
ships the same care that the County Associa-
tlou> exercise over the counties.
4th. The organization. where possible, Of
School District Clubs. under the same ConSti-
tuition as the other Associations, 10 take imme-
da'e charge of the work in said Districts
When such Clubs cannot be established. then
the township Associations should Superiutend
the work.
The Clubs should make regular and frequent
report of their operations TO the township or
ganizatiouS; these should report in ike man
uer 10 the county Associations. When from
any cause reports cannot thus be made, they
should be forwarded directly to the State EX
ecutive Committee.
IN order that ali these organizations may be
speedily completed the Executive Committee