The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-02-04
virrinia-Before the Reconstruction Com
- ,,itfod.

ton Committee this morning was large
Among those prcse4t were noticed Judge
Shelley Of Stanton; cxGov. Fayette, Nc
Mullen Judge Sinclair, of Prince William
w. II. Gray and Senator Mercer, ct Lou
doun; Mr.. Cowardin of the Richmond Dis
patch Douglas Wallack and others: But
three members Of the committee, Messrs.
Boutwell, Payne, and Norris, were in the
room during the first half hour Of the SEES
sion. but Mr.. Bingham and two others dropped
in before its close 1t is the subject OF re-
mark that full committee is never present,
and that those most frequently absent are
those supposed to be disposed to act with len
iency towards the unfortunate people whose
fate is in their hands.
Two hours-from ten to twelve-devoted
to committee business, was consumed IN an ex-
animation, by Mr.. Norris, Of Col John B.
Baldwin, and in listening to the statements Of
Charles Whittlesey. lMr, E. Z White says
Mr.. Whittlesey resides in Alexandria, and
not in Richmond, as the correspondent. sup
posed. css.}..c.sI. .4 ~ .ea.
The basis Of Col. Baldwin's examination
was written statement by him OF the pub
lie sentiment in Virginia which had previ
uusly been laid before the committee, and
which was intended to show that the people
of the State as whole were actuated by con-
scientious motives, would abide by the laws,
in their relations with Immigrants would be
governed by the same rules that obtained in
other States, and, with reference to their for
mcr slaves, though not regarding them as
proper recipients of the privilege Of suffrage,
would allow them all the rights to which
they might be entitled. During his exami
nation he was asked whether a Democratic
and Radical carpet-bagger would receive
similar treatment in Virginia lie answered
that he did not suppose in the whole range Of
natural history such an anomaly as demo-
cratic carpet Dagger could be found for it re-
ouired either national or State executive ap-
point, or the military power, or the Influence
Of the Freedmcn's Bureau to constitute such
an animal.
Mr. Baldwin, after his examination. made
statement concerning thereported ejectment
of the colorcd members of a Methodist
Church IN Staunton, which was substantial
ted BY sworn evidence now in the office OF
Gen. Stoneman, in Richmond, and which diff
fcred very considerably from the account Of
the same affair as given to the committee
few days since by Rev. Mr.. Phelps, OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Charles Whittlesey then detained the COM
mittee over an hour in futile attempt to in
validate the assertions made to the committee
last week by. Col. Baldwin. He had taken
notes of what Col. Baldwin had said at that
time, and had prepared for the occasion
lengthy narration, the bearing Of most of
which. however, upon the subject at issue
the plan of the committee Of nine, and the
removal of political disabilities could not
be perceived by the committee, and of which
fact Mr.. Boutwell, informed him. He laid
great stress upon the fact that the people Of
Virginia were in favor of a white mans
government, and was amusingly non-plusscd
when Mr.. Beck naively asked him whether
the laws of his State-remarking that he
understood he came from Connecticut-were
not as rigorous in the exclusion Of negroes
from office as any laws in existence in Nir
ginia
During the session it was announced that
The applications of those desiring the remov-
al of their disabilities, with the reasons there
fore, must, hereafter, be made ip writing.
It is the opinion of 'sthe nine" that were
their expressed sentiments endorsed by the
united press oe the State, their object in com
ing to Washington would be accomplished.
It is thought that the committee will re-
port favcrably upon the removal Of the dis
abilities from all the Virginia judges, and
the action Of the Supreme Court to-day in
issuing writ to prohibit Judge Underwood
from nullifying the decisions of these gentle
men upon the ground that they are disquali-
fed from holding Office by the fourteenth
amendment, meets with the approval Of
many of the leading Radicals in Congress.
rive have never for a moment supposed
that Congress would remove the disabilities
of our judges before the State was recon-
structed.l ISL. IL Mss
small-fry carpet-baggers, scalawags, and
colored Radicals from Virginia, abound about
the capitol, though they are evidently not
looked upon with favor by the prominent Radi-
Gals in Congress, the personal treatment they
receive from such being in marked contrast
to that Of which the distinguished Virginians
now and lately here have been the recipients.
= Washington teleyroyh-Aleranaria Ga
zctte. 4-f.s4 ss--.., .sai
The indications are growing that the re-
construction committee will, in its report
upon Virginia affairs, conform in great part
to the recommendation of the special COM
mittee of nine; but the only fear is that there
will not be time for the House to enact a
law in conformity with the report, as there
will be determined opposition, and every
expedient for delay will be resorted to unless
it is found by the Radicals that they have
strength enough to reject the committees re-
Communications -Wsshington letter Bali
more Sun.
Washington correspondent of Petersburg
Meler 9th, says:
The feeling here is very hopeful Many of
the most influential Republicans openly avow
their approval of the Virginia effort for peace,
and even should the present Congress fail to
take definite action upon the proposition al
ready presented, it certain that one Of
the first acts of the incoming administration
will be the amclioration of the terms upon
which Virginia may return to the Union It
is openly said that General Grant is in favor
Of such action. and General Schofeld, who is
esteemed to be first in the confidence Of the
President elect, may be depended upon as an
active advocate of the scheme.