The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-04-07
LOCAL MATTERS.
THE GOyERsoRsHIPOFv VIRGINIA


THE GOvERNoRsHIP OF VIRGINIA
,,.,,, ., ryr ,n1r11s THINK ABOUT Scao-
FIELDS APPOINTMENT.
GENERAL. WELLS TO BE iNAo
RATED TO-DAY
The removal of Governor Peirpoint ana
Tho anpointment of General Wells as MS
successor has created great excitement IN
the Radical ranks, and has had little ten
dencv towards harmonizing the factions OF
the Republican party. To Governor Pelr-
noint himself it was entirely unexpected:
A few DAYS ago he was in Washington, and
in the company of General Grant when
General Schofield's order in regard to ell
gibility to office was received. "Ihat
don't effect you, of course" remarked
General Grant. "Oh no." replied our
Governor, "I suppose not" Everything
seemed to look promising for another
years peaceful occupation of the Guoerna-
torial mansion, and the Governor finished
his business and returned to Richmond in
the most agreeable frame of mind. Upon
his arrival in Richmond, however, bevy
of friends, including his devoted and faith.
full adviser Colonel Lewis, were gathered
at the depot, and upon the latter it de-
yolved gently to break the news. Cover
nor Peirpoint's bland smile at seeing this
collection of his devotees was suddenly
dispelled when General Schofeld's action
was announced. Nothing could have been
more unexpected just at that time. he
spent only few hours at home, and almost
before it was known that he had arrived,
he was off again for Washington, bent upon
procuring the revocation of the order.
Meanwhile, how did the intelligence
affect those who have been so long clamor-
GUS for "change of office-h holders from
the Governor down 7" To understand
this matter, it must be recollected that
there are three prominent Republican
candidates for the gubernatorial chair
viz, General Wells, Hunnicutt, and
Hawxhurst. The friends of each OF these
rivals have been trying to bring all the In
fuence in their power to bear upon tne
powers that be at Washington in favor of
their favorite, and it was thought that who
ever General Schoield should select
would have some degree of advantage.
The fercest contest had previously been
between Hunnicutt and Hawxhurst, and
quite commotion was created when Ge-
neral Wells was thrown so prominently
forward. His record of loyalty had
never before been questioned; he had
served CALAMITY and gained promotion
in the war for the Union he was
one of the earliest avowed advocates of
negro suffrage ; on no occasiondid he hest
tate to proclaim himself an unqualified
supporter of the congressional policy OF
reconstruction. Yet, Notwithstanding these
qualifications, no sooner was his appoint
ment as Governor announced than howl
arose from the Hawxhurst crowd, which
was answered with q yell from the Hunni-
cult clan. The former cried, "Foul play"
and the latter, "Anybody but whiskey
ring mani" Hunnicutt himself is absent
in North Carolina, but his lieutenant DAN
ner) gave the cue for his "pet," and the
industrious Hawxhurst headed his own
party in person. Both worked like beavers
on Sunday, contriving plan to secure the
revocation of General Schofeld's order,
and each, in separate council, came to the
same conclusion. The remedy was in
Washington. Thither, then, there started
at once Hawxhurst and Doctor Bayne, a
little ahead of Peirpoint, and with days
start of the Hunnicutt men. The latter
left Richmond last night, the committee
being composed Of the following picked
men James Morrissey, DR.. E. FL. Smith,
Colonel A. G. Dunn, J. L. C. Danner, B.
Wardwell, A. D. Johnson, and Il. l.. Wi
gand. 1t will be seen, then, that Governor
Peirpoint, Hunnicutt, and Hawxhurst, are
bringing their combined influence to bear
against General SchoGeld's appointee.
Hawxhurst and Bayne, it is thought, Sc
cured an immediate audience with Gene
raj Grant, and on Sunday dispatch came
suggesting to General Schofeld that the
execution Of his order in relation to the
Governorship be temporarily suspended.
The delay was merely to afford time for an
investigation of the antecedents of Gene
raj Wells. it having been represented at
Washington that he was not Union man,
that he was opposed to the congressional
policy, and that his supporters were dis
loyal men. The General arrived here on
Sunday night, and soon heard whisper to
this effect, and yielded to the advice Of
friends to 60 on and see about the matter.
He started accordingly on the train yester-
day morning, accompanied by Judge Bond,
District Attorney Chandler, and Post
master Sharp, whose influence will be
used in his favor. All the contending par
ties are now, therefore, represented at the
Capital, and the result will be looked for
with great interest. In the mean time it
is positively asserted by the Wells party
that the Governor appointed by General
Schofeld will be inaugurated to-day.
It NAV be we'll to add what is positive
fact, that both the Hunnicutt and Hawk
hurst men, or the leaders at least, are now
bent upon General Schofeld's removal.
This was in fact urged at Washington
three weeks ago but the delegates say
that had they been consulted about the
proposed appointments after their return,
their opposition to him would have been at
an end. Now they say he "must 60 out,
even before old Ben Wade comes IN"
The appointment of new councilmen has
given no more satisfaction to these dlscon-
tented partisans. Although they claim that
General Schofield has promised yet toput
in several extreme Radicals of the Brock
meyer stripe, their opposition to him is
great and should his course in regard to
the Governorship be disapproved by Grant,
,ohich is uery improbable, they will feel
their cause much stronger.
Since the preceding paragraphs were
written, dispatches have been received
from those in Washington who ought to
know, stating that General Wells is Go
vernon, and that he will arrive here to-day