The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-27
THE VIRGINIA RADICAL CONVENTION.

Congress, Hoar and Canby--A New Elec-
tion overwhelmingly RepOrt-lIore Ex-
citing Scenes.
RICHMOND, Nov. 25, 1869.
As the proceedings OF the Convention progressed
II became more and more evident that two factions
existed, both OF whom were striving to obtain con-
troll OF the body, with the object of committing 1t to
the peculiar policy they advocated. One Of the fac
tions led by Hon. James II. Platte, radical member
OF Congress elect from the Petersburg district,
favored the prompt admission OF the State with
out any unreasonable exactlons or restrc-
tons, and their course in the body eyinced
decided leaning towards the Walker
republican party, who were victorious in the late
election. Their policy was strongly in keeping with
the known and expressed wishes or the administra-
ton and the reconstruction programme marked out
by Congress for Virginia.; but though majority OF
the best and most influential members OF the radical
party were enlisted with Mr.. Platte. yet they were
In the minority in the Convention. The opposition,
led by Hon. Charles H. Porter radical member elect
from this district seemed TO have obtained ira
ordinary influence over the most OF the negro men,
bers who chiefly made up the Convention. Under the
mask OF repubicanism these latter, deiuded by por
ter and Others adopted the most ultra course posi-.
BILE the embodiment OF their policy being the non-
admission OF the State, under the guse OF
fraud and intimidation In the elections failure
to comply with the requirements OF Congress in That
the Legislature did rot subscribe to the test oath,
and total insncerity on the part OF the Walker
republicans. Ii new elections ordered, the test
oath exacted and the Offices OF the STATE turned
over bodily to Porter and his faction then they
willing that the state should be admitted. When
the election OF temporary chairman took place 1t
became palpably evident that the antl-admlssion
clan were largely In the majority and from that mo-
ment the hall resembed q perfect pandemonlum.
Previous radical conventions and even the state
Constitutional Convention, where the most stormy
scenes ever witnessed III such body were enacted,
failed to come up 10 the bedlam, excitement and
threatened violence on this occasion. Hall, ana
often majority, OF the members were on
the door at the same time Yelling, and some or
them actually hootng, at the temporary chairman,
who was literally bewiidered and confused beyond
comprehension and utterly unable 10 obtain hear
ing from the body. The Convention was held IN an
old theatrical hall, the walls, windows, stage and
benches Of which were In dilapidated, shattered
and most unlnvitng condition. There were no fires,
and as 1t was intensely cold the members Kept on
their overcOats, smoked cigars, walked, or rather
rushed, from bench TO bench, jumped up spasmodi-
cally, yelling every two or three minutes; and this
exercise, together with the heat OF the debate,
served TO keep them warm. II was rich perform
ance, the actors being In the body OF the hail. with
the audience on the stage and III the gallerleS-all
Of whom no doubt enjoyed it.
Both the Committee on Credentials and that on
Permanent Organization were composed chiefly OF
members Of the Porter faction ana when the latter
reported perfect storm ensued Out or eight wee
presidents chosen by the committee not one OF them
and ali Of them strong adherents Of Porter, VINO
himself was named for the permanent presidency oil
the Convention. When the report OF the committee
was read an exciting and interesting debate fol-
lowed
MI. F. S. NORTON tmulatto, asked to be informed
whether the vice presidents were all white or col
ored II they were all whites he was opposed to the
report. IL was question OF color, and he stood up
for the rights Of the black man.
Mr.. KELS0 Drown sklnned negrol asked the pr1vi-
lege of nominating one coored man, at least, as all
additional vice president. lie named X. ID. Beckley
tcolored, as gentleman worthy in every respect Of
The honor.
Mr.. LEWIS LINDSAY tcolored), Of Constitutional
Convention notoriety IN stentorlan tones announced
that the Convention was not here TO argue ABOUT
color He was not Over-particuar whether the vice
presidents were white or black whether they hailed
from Massachusetts Mississippi. lie Che speaker
was equal rights man from the word go. and he
appealed in eloquent terms to the Convention, and
even the conservatives, II there were any present,
to sustain him that assertion Order must be Kept
in the Convention, or either the police or Chinese
would make descent and break up the proceedings.
Mr. Finn (cooredl was strongly opposed TO the
| adoption of the committee report winch evidently
was unjust towards his race In its discrimination.
| Mr.. BECKLEY tcooredl, the nomiuee of Mr.. kelso,
withdrew his name IN favor Of Mr.. Downey (colored,
who he claimed should be the nominee from his dis
| trlct
| "Uncle Specs" former member OF the Consutu-
! ti0na Convention. III a weak, thin voice. but with
| all his energy. opposed this report. 1t was dis
grace and he would not stand there and see per-
petrated upon The republican party, OF which he
was much-respected anu honored men,
Der. In all the distribution OF onices in
the State none had been given TO coiored
men as sherns, constaoles or magistrates,
they should assert their rights. Let the coored
stand together and work III unison and make all
their interests common cause lie considered the
report an outrage, Imposed 10y men VINO CLAIMED 10
be republicans
Mr.. II. GARLAND twhltel moved, as the easiest way
to settle the quarrel that all the coored men In the
Convention be made vice presidents. Perhaps that
would satisfy their ambition, and 1t certainly made
but little difference
Mr.. MADDOX (white, chairman OF the committee
proposed on its part that the report be recommtted
and the whole matter referred back to the com
mittee.
DR.. THOMAS BAyNE sable negro, notorious az a
cOnventionlst defeated candidate for Congress-
sc0rned the idea that republican convention should
be guilty OF the crime OF eecting eight vice pres
dents white, and at the same time he opposed the
recommtment of the report TO the committee. The
Convention would act for itself aud elect what men
il thought proper.
Mr.. CHARLES II. PORTER twhite moved that the
report be rec0mmtted with Instructions that eight
more vice presidents be added, in order to include
every element OF the republican party. This
all the consideration the negroes received, VINO were
the entire element OF that party, and who elected
Mir. Porter to Congress from this district.l
Mr. FLOOD twhte) protested against The further
discussion OF the subject and called the previous
question. This was done, and the report was recon-
mitted with instructions under porter's resolution
to appoint eight additional vice presidents. Shortly
after the committee reported eight coiored men as
vice presidents, when
Mr.. ROBERTS (coiored) Of Norfolk, again brought
up the question OF color. He did not want any ais
tinctions or determinations. All he wanted was
true republicansm and he protested against the
adoption Of the second report.
ports OF the committee be laid upon the table. Lost.
The previous question then being called by parla-
mentary strategy tue reports were adopted, and Mr.
Charles II. Porter took the chair OF the President,
thanking the Convention IN few brief remarks for
the high honor entrusted to him or being called to
preside over such distinguished body.
BY this time the opposition party were thoroughly
beaten, and the Porter faction had matters all in
their own hands, though their opponents still con-
tnued to annoy them by shouts and cries, Interrupt
ton. and In every conceivable manner imaginable
winch was denantly sent back by the Portertes.
Another scene, and committee on an address and
resolutions were appointed OF the same political
caste were all the other committees, and TINS
matter being all cul and dried, soon as questions
OF credentials limit OF debate, &c, were settled the
committee appeared with the following report
In REPUBLICAN STATE CoNvFSTroN3
RICHMOND, Va, Nov. 25, 1909.
To THE CONGRKss OF TlIE UNITED STATES
The republican party OF Virginia In full delegated State
Convention assembled respectfully represent that
ton held In this State the 9th day July last resulted
Confederate triumph which unhesitatngy assert
achieyed ar.lnc Intimidation and N