The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-05-06
THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DIsTRICI
Charles H. Porter the Radical Nominee For
Congress. 1-s' 4 tztI,.

There was a great deal of caucussing
Yesterday for both Porter and James, who
were looking forward to the nomination for
Congress from this district. The nomina-
ting convention met at the capitol.
AT 4 o'clock fifteen or twenty delegates
were, assembled in the Senate chamber.
Charles F. Maddox, of Chesterfield, called
the Convention to order, and Richardson,
negro, took his seat as secretary.
The Chairman stated that the meeting
had been called to nominate o congressional
representative for the Third District of Vir-
ginia. Under the call which he read, Rich.
monnd was entitled to twelve delegates, Hem
rico four, Hanover four, Chesterfield four,
Cumberland two, Amelia two, Goochland
two, Charles City two, Powhatan two, and
New Kent two. Nearly two-thirds of those
present were negroes. .rEo1 }gqao. ,s5s,.
The Chair then appointed a Committee
ON Credentials, with DR.. Sterling, Of Rich
mond, as chairman. After q brief con-
sultation, the committee made report !;
which was unanimously received and
adopted.
!. A Committee on Permanent Organization
IT. w. Roche, Chairman), consisting ofo
white man and five negroes, was then ap-
pointed by the Chair. The committee
retired, and in a few moments recommended
the election of the following permanent
officers: ..~ -.
R.esident.-Samuel F. Maddox.
,Secretmy.-Fields Cook. ~
The report was adopted, and the officers
IL. ,n,t, NTr> MoJIo~ al hia
thanks for the honor, unexpected and
unsought." gy.s 10: ~.
On motion of Captain Roche, the follow
ing resolution was adopted /; .or ia
HResolred, That this Convention pledges
itself to stand by and employ all honorable
efforts to secure the election of whoever
may be the nominee" rt -Yr
Captain Roche then moved to go .into'in-
formal ballot for the nomination of repre-
sentative to Congress.
Major Annable, of Henrico, moved that
the Convention adjourn until the day after
the adjournment of tha Gubernatorial No
minating Convention. sI g-@gE sr-2,
A spirited debate ensued, which was par
ticipated in by DR.. Sterling, Taylor inc
gro), and Major Annahle. The motion to
adjourn over was then put to the vote, and
lost. Roche's motion was then carried
unanimously.
Taylor (negro), of Richmond, arose to
nominate Charles II. Porter, of Norfolk
city.
No other nominations were made, although
the james and non-committal delegates
nudged each other, uneasily. Mr.. james
himself was out of the room, but soon re-
turned and had conference with his
adopted son and on aged freedman, who sat
near the Presidents chair. The said aged
freedman then rose to make nomination,
but the Chair decided him ont Of order!
Captain Roche and Cox, both Porter men,
were appointed tellers. rrsr-.G~r
Informal Ballot-Porter, 20; James, };
Washburne, 3; Smith, 3.
Joe Cox said somebody had put in two
votes.
The Convention then proceeded to formal
ballot. Charles III. Porter, William james,
and A. Washburne being nominated.
The result was as follows: Porter, 22
James, G.; Hunnicutt, 8; N. Smith, 3.
Mr.. Porter was then declared elected I;
and on motion the nomination was declared
unanimous, although oiie negro voted nay
and several delegates were silent.
\ committee was Immediately appointed
to wait on Mr.. Porter and inform him of his
nomination. The duty was soon performed,
for Mr.. Porter was not far off. He was in
troduced by Mr.. Humphreys.
The Chairman said he had nothing to
say in addition to the words Of introduc-
ton Just uttered. A man so well known
for purity of motive, patriotism, and all
the eminent qualities of statesman as
Charles H. Porter, needed no word of COM
mendation from any man on this floor.
Mr.. Porter then made short speech,
reading from a manuscript, accepting the
nomination, refuting charges Of being in
sympathy with rebels, and pledging him.
self to do his best to promote the prosperity
of his constituents. His remarks were re-
ceived with applause and cheers.
On motion, the Chair then appointed q
district executive committee, consisting OF
one man from each county and one from
each ward of the city of Richmond
Messrs. Roche, Moseley, Hewlett, Ander-
son, Henry Cox (negro), James Babcock,
Bisby, Taylor (negro), Humphreys, Stir
ling, johnson, and Robinson (negro).
Whilst the Chair was looking up men to
put on the committee, q Richmond darky
enlightened the Convention on tobacco and
the tobacco tax. .aE.uE
The Convention then adjourned.
We are informed by his friends, that Mr.
Porter was born in Greene county, n. l., IN
1888, and commenced the study'of law be-
fore arriving at the age of sixteen. lie
attended the Law University Of the State
at Albany. Attaining the age of twenty
one, he at once entered on the practice Of
law. In 1854 he became member OF the
Republican party. In 1856, he canvassed
his county in favor of Fremont's election
In July, 1861, he enlisted in the " Xii.
patrick Mounted Rangers" afterwards the
First New York Mounted Rifles. In Octo'
Der, 1868, he was elected Commonwealth
Attorney for the city of1Norfolk under the
government then existing there, and was
discharged from the army in November
1868, in order to enter upon its duties
In 1864 the military authorities discontl.
nned the civil government in Norfolk, ano
shortly afterwards Porter was arrested Oh
the charge of using the profane and abu
sive language about the United States TO
vernment quoted in our issue of yesterday
He was tried, found guilty, and sentenced
to six months in the Norfolk jail for the
offence. Last fall he was elected to the
scallawag Convention as the representative
of Powhatan and Chesterfield. His course
since that time is well known. He is the
author of the foolish Homestead provision
Of the new Constitution.
MIRACULOUS Escape Yesterday after
noon horse attached to buggy ran OF