The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-05-06
RADICAL POLITICS.
THE GUBERNAToRLAL CANVASS.
Candidates for Governor, Lieutenant
Governor, and dAttorney.Ge
THE CONVENTION To-D4E.

The Radicals of Virginia have been in a
state of constant excitement ever since the
adjournment of the unconstitutional Con-
vention. At that time there were four pro-
minent Republican candidates for the Cover
norship. These were Hawxhurst, of Ale KAN
dria Hunnicutt, of Richmond Peirpoint. of
Richmond; and Wells, of Alexandria.
Their chances for obtaining the nomination
were about in the order named above.
Hawxhurst relied with certainty upon the
influence of majority of the Radical mem
bers of the Convention, and stood well, from
political point of view, in all parts OF
the State, on account of his exposure
of the Chase Underwood bribery busi-
ness. aga Bets of ten to one on his
nomination were freely offered on the
floor of the Convention, on the last day
of the session. Hunnieutt's prospects were
next best, though they had been rapidly
waning ever since Gibson's damaging er-
pose of his course in regard to the African
church at Fredericksburg. He numbered
among his followers two or three white dele
gates and half n score of negroes, besides
his negro constituents In Richmond. Peir-
point relied upon military patronage and his
supposed strength in the counties which he
canvassed about year ago. General
Wells had at that time, perhaps, the slim
est chance of the nomination, having med
died little in Virginia politics, and being
almost unknown otherwise than as q
lawyer to the majority of his own party.
But three weeks greatly changed the politi-
cal aspect. The bottom rail got to the top
almost miraculously. Peirpoint was sud-
denly removed, and opened his eyes to the
fact that he was politically dead. General
Wells succeeded him, by General Schotield's
appointment, and at once loomed up as the
great light, beside whom Hunnicutt and
Hawxhurst paled into insigni6cance, or at
least were no longer formidable rivals. The
vast influence OF the military, the Bureau,
and the United States courts, were at once
pressed into his service, and made his nomi-
nation fixed fact in the minds of far
seeing men. Still Hawxhurst canvassed
county after county, with Massey, his ever
attending satellite, and Hunnicutt con-
tinued his tri-weekly harangucs to the
Richmond mob. Neither of them seem to
have added to the list of their adherents.
The nominating Convention meets at the
old African church on Broad street at noon
to-day. According to the call, each county
is allowed the representation apportioncd
for the Legislature by the late Convention.
The body Will he composed therefore Of
about 23O delegates. At d late hour last
night about 200 had arrived, and registered
their names at the Republican headquar-
ters. The western and southwestern county
delegates had not arrived, and as there is
no train this morning they will not reach
the city in time to have n voice in the nomi-
nations. Their arrival would strengthen
the Wells party still more, although his
nomination is now considered certain by all
the party leaders. Of the 200 delegates
already arrived, about l30 have committed
themselves to his nomination.
The tidewater men had u caucus last
evening and nominated hinMB acclamatioD,
without dissenting voice. Albemarle,
Cumberland, and Buckingham are claimed
by Hawxhurst. The Richmond vote will be
divided between Hunnicutt and Wells.
From Alexandria there are two delegations ;
one for Hawxhurst and one for Wells. The
latter will undoubtedly be admitted.
LIEUTENANT-GOvERNoR
James il. Clements, of Portsmouth, was
the most popular candidate mentioned last
night for the Office of Lieutenant Governor.
He was a member of the late Convention ;
is an extreme Radical and one Of the best
parliamentarians the party can boast i'll
Virginia. Clements's rival aspirants are j.
T. Baldwin, of Prince William, and 0. E.
Hine, of Fairfax. Baldwin is compara-
lively little known in this part OF the
State, but is prominent as Il Radical
in his own section. Hine is we'll known rs
the most extreme man in the late Conyen-
ton, a real Yankee, and the author Of the
iron-clad section of the Constitution. The
ideu of running negro for Lieutenant
Governor seems to have been abandoned, as
the blacks do not seem disposed strenuously
to insist upon this concession from the
whites. Bayne still has one eye, however,
on the presidency Of the Virginia Senate.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL.
The most prominent candidates spoken oi
for this place are I. r. Bowden (present
incumbent), George w. Booker, Of Henry
and J. L. c. Danner, of Richmond city. II
is thought that Bowden has the best chance,
but Booker and Danner have strong sup,
porters.
CONGRESSMAN AT LARGE.
The proposed Constitution provides for the
election of member of Congress from The
State at large. For this position there are
nearly q dozen aspirants, Of greater or less
pretensions. The principal candidates for tht
nomination are Henry NJ. Bowden, Of Nor
folk, Captain Platte, of (Vt.) Petersburg
g General" Pierce, cosmopolite, and Mr.
Crane, editor of o Winchester paper. Should
Hunnicutt and Hawxhurst be defeated il
their gubernatorial aspirations, they vii
both endeavor to get this nomination, ant
! it will be Hunnicutt's last chance, unless
he runs as an independent candidate fol
Governor. Bowden is popular fellow will
men of the black stripe, and at thu
writing counts the largest number OF sup
porters.
- ORGANIZATION.
The Convention will assemble punctually
at noon, and will probably be called to or
der by Mr.. Clements, of Portsmouth, who II
the fayorite for President. Allen, o
Prince Edward, and w. ID. Samuel arr
spoken of for the secretaryshlp. AFTER TN
appointment of the usual committees, th'
| Convention will make the nominations, ant
then the only business remaining will b'
the appointment of State Committee. M
person is to be admitted while the Conven
I ton is in session without ticket.
FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DIsTRIcT.-A Con
vent;on of the Radicals of this district vii
be held in this city tonight or tomorrow t.
nominate a congressional representative
TN. d, Norton. Of York. and Pierce, fcos