The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-04-02
TEE VIRGINIA CONVENTION
Nfneey-frst Day.
ORDERED BY CONGRESS- TO
FRAME A STATE CONSTITUTION

| WEDNESDAY, April l, 1865.
The Convention met at II o'clock.
| Prayer by the chaplain.
| A hali-hour was consumed upon mo-
ton made by PETE JONES to appoint COM
mittce to inquire into means for the more
prompt delivery Of the Convention mail.
1t was finally laid on the table.
ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE.
Mr.. J. G. GIBSON offered the following !;
RESOLVED, That when this Convention
adjourn OH the 7th Of April next it adjourn
sine de-"
Laid over under the rules.
THE UNDERWOOD IMPEACHMENT.
The order of the day (the Underwood
impeachment) was called up.
Mr., UNDERWOOD stated that in conse-
ouence of the pressing business of his
court lie would have to ask leave for the
| rest of the week. It had been his univer-
sal practice since in public life not to take
notice of anything in the newspapers, al
though they had sometimes said things not
complimentary to him. In the instance,
however, of the publications that had ap-
peared in thepapers in his absence, he felt,
| in view Of the kind relations that had here
toiore existed between himself and the
| Convention, and the kind consideration it
had always shown him, that he should
make a personal explanation. This he pro-
posed to do.
Here Mr.. J. G. GIBSON suggested that
| it would be more proper, as the matter
was of personal interest to the President,
that some one else should take the chair.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD thanked him for the
suggestion, aud asked him if he would not
take the chair. ... .....
MIR. GIBSON 81 will with pleasure, sir"
He took the chair.
A question arose here as to what was
before the House. 1t was decided that
Mr.. UNDERWOOD had the floor on privi-
legged question.
| Mr.. UNDERWOOD proceeded to answer,
as he said, the article appearing in those
Republican organs the Richmond DaSpdtch
and the New York Herald. In the first
place, he would reply to that sentence al
ludAng to his almost unlimited control over
Federal appointments. In this instance
be was done more than justice. He did
perhaps, have great control when in the
Office Of State Auditor in 1861, through
Secretary Chase, then Of the Treasury,
and made many selections, some of which
were very good, others not. He would
say that the appointment of the State tax
commission was an excellent one, and the
author of the article was member of it.
Mr.. HAwXHURsT arose to an inquiry.
He asked if he was alluded to.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD said he would hear
what the gentleman had to say.
| Mr.. HAwXHURST: 81 was recommended
by John S. Carlyle, and my nomination
was confirmed by the United States Sc
nate" .... ...-
| Mr.. UNDERWOOD said that notwithstand-
ing this he had recommended the gentle
man, but he would not deny but that per-
haps he had in this instance overrated his
| influence. AS to his "iDordinate ambi-
tion," he would say that he had never
sought any Office. He had acted upon the
principle that the Office should seek the
man, and not the man the office. He had
at one time four commissions, signed by
Abe Lincoln, rendered to him-only two
of which he accepted, and one of them
was that which he now held rs Judge. He
had never yet sought any office, and, SO
help him God, he never would. AS to the
interview reported, he stated that some
time during last year the gentleman came
into his Office and said that as a member
OF the committee he wished to suggest
a plan Of raising money to Republicanlze
! Virginia. He heartily approved of this,
| as he had always entertained the opinion
thstunies the colored man was allowed
the ballot he would be exterminated. The
plan suggested by the gentleman was to
collect money from abroad. He (U.t did
| not approve of this, as be felt sure that 1t
would fail, and that he would not raise
money enough to pay expenses. His
friend (H.), who is remarkable for the to-
nacity with which he clings to bis opin-
ions, was not convinced. BE said he
would like to try, and asked letters of re-
commentator and Introduction to rich
men at the North, and thought he said
particularly, "Thy friend Chase and his
rich son-in-law." AS to what Mr.. Chase
I might think concerning the Presidency,
Ehs would say that that gentleman had
always said to him that his Office was the
most dignifed in the Government and
i've years ago, when he (C.) urged him
" J to accept the position Of jud geship. he
said to him; consider the judiciary the
4 best department. for such men as YOU and
myself" He refused TO give the letters.