The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-01-22
RECONSTRUCTION.
THE VIRGINIA STATE CONVENTION.
sprclll CORRESPONDENCE uf TINE HERALD.


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SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE Or THE HERALD.
The Approaches 20 the Cenventies-scene In
tho Rotunda-Ladies I'm the Galieries-Ap-
pOrti0nment and Observation-Disclosures.
binary Resolution by . Coasorvattvo-Con.
sress, Recommendation and the Convention
Denounced as Observation-Disclosures and
Warm Debate-Thc Elective Franchise-
C0lorod Locturess-Profanity In the Body.
RICHMOND Va, Jan II, lS0s.
vending your way from the Post once, on Main
street. TO the Capitol Building, in which sits the Coust
tu,onal Convention steep but picturesque hill has to
be asc nded and few minutes you al the portals
OF the Capitol About twelve NJ, the hour che Oonven-
ton assemblies II you approach by either the eastern
or western entrance the granite steps on both
sides are found bedottsd with negroes, sitting
Longing aud hanging aboutfor what purpose II mys-
tery-but here they daily assemble Entering ths'Ro-
tunda In the centre OF which beautifully executed
marble Of Washington, surrounded By IN iron
railing and from which the doors open into both the
Senate chamber and hall Of tho House Of Dslcgaes!n
latter Of which the.Convenon aita strange scene
for Virginia Ii presented. Here you halt in amusement
and with some msgivingsN destined 70 privileged
seat ON the floor OF che Convention for the place IL lit
orally thronssd With Africans. and such jam at the
door that has TO undergo crushing and Oh
bowiug in reaching IL. In the corners and a. much
out Of the way as possible . number OF stands.
from which negro women dispense peanuts apples.
ginger cakes and tobacco and what with tobacco chew
Ing and spitting pipesmoking and peanut eating, the
place Is not to be sought from choice. Daily the
dignity OF the sable delegates is offended by their
brethren whom they endsavor to reach the door Of the
House. there nothing their color 10 distinguish
them from the mass Of African humanity 80 firmly
packed around Its approaches The plain people that
have to push and puff and elbow before they
obtain the Of the doorkeeper who snsconced in.
side the door, This official recognizing the struggling
conventioner extends helping hand and with - long
pull and strong pulp he is extrcaed from his peril
GUS position and safely landed within the sacred pro.
cincs or the House, when the door is again closed
until the thing u repeated. To-day your CORE
spondent narrowly escaped being crushed to death In
this tnrong and but that the Great Mogul him
self his rescue, making the way clear for two
Northern ladies TO the floor he had serious fears OF
being able 70 forward this report IN me galleries To-
appropriated TO ladies' Of color exclusively, and
large number 4 the far, varying in complexion from
the most sable hued negro TO the clear creamy, olive
coored muatto smiled bengnantiy upon the body, and
by their dark rolling eyes gave now zeal TO the Nom.
more than ordinary dignity Tue other gallery was as
usual densely packed with Africans threatening Its
safety and making 10 more than ordinary risk TO stand
under II, though some unsuspectiug persons did
The proceedings opened with the following re-
port, which submitted by the Committee on the
i. statement showing the number Of white and col
ored citizens listed for taxation in 1885, above the age
Of twenty-one.
O. Statement Of the registered voters under the Re-
construction acts, and how the apportionment would
stand on that basis
g. statement OF the population in 1850 by counties.
showing how the apportionment would stand on that
basis. a.m#m
Showing the number Of votes cast at the Presiden.
tai election m 1862 and the vote per centum
pared with the population OF 1860.
s. Showing the value Of real estate in 1860 and the
mars vel
After considerable discussion, in which radical
members took the ground that the present registration
lists offered the most perfect basis OF and
would avoid the expense OF the plan submitted by the
committee, tho report was adopted and ordered TO be
printed
Tho proceedings were here interrupted by Mr. William.
conservative member from New York, who rose to
point Of order. and said that notwithstanding the
janitor had been ordered open the windows
OF the densey crowded state Of the house and in
sequent odor Tor the exit Of the foul air end tho adj
sson OF the pure, the audience In the galleries had
closed them In defiance OF tho wishes OF the House,
the discomfort Of the members and to the very
peril Of their personal health. These remarks
seconded and endorsed by q number of conservative
members, when the 0bar ruled that tho audience
were privileged in being admitted they abide by
the wishes OF the members and the windows should be
left open This matter settled, with admission Of .
fresh supply of air the House breathed freely and
Mr. Lggatt expanded his lungs TO the fullest extent and
read resolution which declared everything In pro-
gress to be revolutionary from Congress the Convsn-
ton.
The reading or this resolution was listened to with
considerable mpatienco by the radical members OF the
house At its conclusion half dozen members jumped
from their seats, with motions, some with points
or order, but al highly indignant
Mr.. Clements, radical, Northern man, had "pont
OF order" He contended that resolution Ignoring tn
authority OF the Convention could not DO received by
tue house, and he moved It be ruled by tho Chair
Mr Curtis radical hoped, with Indignation fully
pressed that the resolution would not be received
Mr. Bland, the most youthful negro In the Conven.
ton, moved the report be indefinitely postponed.
The Chair quell some OF the confusion then
extending over the whole house. and In reply TO Glenn
ents who was pressing bis notion that the resolution
ignored the authority OF the Convention said did
ignore but denied the authority OF the Convention,
which was quite n material difference. He was OF
opinion however that the resolution should not be
ceived
moved that the resolution be received and ordered
be printed He in favor OF seeing and reading and
therefore wanted laid upon the table and ordered
be printed. Mr. o H. Hine, intensely radical and one
OF tho best workers that side OF the house. moved
that the resolution be laid finally on the table.
Mr. c. 4. Thomas native radical and leader, was Of
opinion that by laying the resolution the table the
House received IT, and he urged vote upon tho motion
Curtis, however, did not take the same Wow, and
withdrew his motion, and vote being taken upon
Hines motion to lay upon the table resuited-yeas Co.
NAYS % II was laid upon the table
Mr. Bowden then pressed his motion to print H. which,
upon vote showed IS and ~ nays and will be
printed
Mr. Joseph Cox sable delegate from this city offered
resolution that the Committee Elective Franchise
and Qualification be instructed the const-
tulon clause that tue General Assembly shall from
time TO time provide for the registration Of all electors
follows
Those who, during tho rebellion, inflicted any cruel
punishment upon any soldier, sailor enploye OF the
United States; and
Those who may he DISTINGUISHED by the sixteenth
article or tho constitution OF toe United states known
the constitutional amendment and all those who have
been disqualified from voting Tor delegates TO this Con-
vention under the Reconstruction acts and the acls
supplementary thereto.
This resolution was appropriately referred without
discussion, aud then lectures "a coiored LADY, was