Evening star., 1869-12-10

we made brief mention yesterday Of the ap-
pc arance Ga a number of Virginians before the
Reconstruction Committee to state their views
and present memorials in reference to the ad-
mission of Virginia. The committee represent
ing the Legislature, headed by Speaker Turner,
and accompanied by Gov. Walker; the commit
tee representing. the radical wing OF the Repub-
liean convention, headed by Congressman Por-
ter, and accompanied by Messrs Humphreys,
Maddox. Wadwell, Morrissey, OF Richmond, and
several colOred men, and the committee repre-
sentlng the Conservative or toltlng portion of
the late Republican convention, headed by Con-
grcssmen Pl1tt and Ayers, and accompanied by
Mr.. Y. A. WItcher, j. Bland, colored, member
OF the State Senate, Hine and others, were the
three committees admitted.
Nr. Porter presented an address of the Ra,li-
ca! Wig OF the late convention, in which were
tmbouied series of resolutions passed by that
wing, and memorial praying that Virginia b.
not admitted until another election shall be he III
and the tesJ-oath taken by the members of the
Legislature and other officers elected. &c.
Speaker Turner presented the memorial of the
Legislature, briefly reciting what had been done
in the State toward carrying out the Recon-
struction acts, and asserting that what had been
done by the people of Virginia was in good faith
and that the constitution, as far as adopted
shall be carried out in the very letter and spirit
of its intent andlaw
Mr.. Hine, chairman of the boilers or mipori
ty committee, presented resolutions on behalf OF
the members of the convention whom he repre-
sented. The resolutions or memorial asks for
the early admission of the State, and that mem
bers OF the Legislature only be required to take
the oath OF office as prescribed by the reconstruc-
ton laws. They left the cODstruc ton of these
clad oath.
Mr.. Porter was the first to speak. He smoke
vehemently, and protested against the admission
OF the State at this time; insisted upon the IRON
clad oath being administered; was opposed to
the total amnesty idea, and insisted that the
wing OF the Republican party which he repre-
sented was the only true and loyal party i'm the
State; that the school system and jury clause of
the constitution would not be carried out in
good faith. He cited an instance which he said
lately occurred in one of the counties, where the
sheriff had summoned a mixed jury and the
State Judge refused to swear them in, on the
with the laws of the State.
Speaker Turner, Mr.. Crenshaw, (member of
the Legislature from Richmond city, and lastly
Governor Walker. on behalf OF the people, and
as their chosen chief executive, assured the
committee that the constitution should be car
ried ont to the very letter.
General Wardwell, formerly one of General
Butler's staff officers, and now superintendent
OF the State penitentiary, protested against the
admission of the State, and conceded with the
views OF Congressman Porter. Messrs. Hum
Phreys and Maddox, of the convention commit
State. - 'A'
Congressman Plat and Ayres and Mr. Hine.
OF the boilers wing of the late convention, spoke
in favor of the early admission
On motion of Mr.. UIson, of Michigan, Mr..
Bland, (colored) State Senator, was invited to
give HIS views. blanQ Is ABOUT IS years of age,
and quite black. He was satisfied nineteen
twentieths of the people of all colors and politics
in Virginia were daily praying for the speedy
admission of the State, and IL but few
designing men, who, to carry out some personal
schemes, were opposed to the admission of the
State as at present organized. He was opposed
TO the test-oath, or IRON clad OATH as it is called
General Butler-Why are you opposed to the
Mr.. Bland.-Because do not consider it fair
or consistent. The people of Massachusetts, or
pennsylvania can take a test oath, for they were
all IN the North during the war, while the men
OF Virginia were nearly all with the South and
to insist upon their taking the oath is simply to
ostracise nearly nine-tenths of the white men
OF the State, the larger number of whom are
now good Union men.
General Butler then announced the Commit
Tee would meet on Saturday morning, and re-
ceive the delegates again 1t was agreed TO
allow TX. ID. Beckley, (colored,) from Alexan-
dria to reply to Bland's speech, on Saturday
but the Committee ordered that all those who
would have ANYTHING to say must present it in
writing. The Committee then adjourned
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