Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-03-16
The Republican State Convention in
Virginia.

ing tho hepuoiican State 0OmluatlneS- Con-
ventiou met in the African Methodist Church
ON Main sfreet-about one hundred and
twenty delegates being present. These were
divided into two cliques, one in the interest
Of Governor Wells and the other favoring
James II. Clements Of Portsmouth, for the
Governorship, in opposition to Wells. Last
night aud during the entire morning there
was every Indication of q stormy session, be-
cause of the deadly hatred of opposing fac
lions. Early in the day charges Of corruption
and mail robbery against his Excellency Gov
ernor Wells had been published and freely
circulated, and this added to the excitement
of the occasion. AT twelve NJ. the Conyeu.
ton was called to order by DR.. Gilmor, chair
man of the Republican State Executive Com
mittee, following which George Tucker was
nominated as temporary chairman by the
Clements faction. A Mr.. Jenkins was then
nominated by the Wells clique, and here the
scene commenced. Cries aud yells from.th
Clements crowd met this announcement, aud
the church was shortly afterwards converted
into a perfect bcdlam. Motions and counter
motions were made, majority of all present
being on the floor, yelling and declaiming in
u horrible manner. Butts, of Norfolk, claimed
that jenkins was not delegate, and Samuels,
Of Bichmuud, in a stentorian voice, declared
called for, but amid roar of voices that
drowned every attempt to maintain order the
motion was overlooked. At this stage of the
proceedings the excitement increased to a
fearful pitch, aud the Wells men pushed to
the rostrum, leaping over the railing that en-
closed il, assaultiug the incumbent of the chair
and others. Meu leaped from the windows,
rushed for the doors, aud the crowd in the
galleries descended en- n,dsse. In few mo-
ments the place resembled paudemonium, and
the Mayor came forward with a force of police
to restore order. After a while the imme-
date rostrum was cleared, but then another
attempt to seat Tucker was made aud another
fight followed. a nephew of Joshua Il. Cid
dings using the cane freely. Tucker was
struck on the head with a cane. Several
members were beaten in u fearful manner and
the Mayor at length ordered the church to be
cleared. A Colonel Burke here resisted aud
was arrested by the police, aud during his
exit from the church a chorus of yels of
bats right" and Don't let him CO." filed
the church. All the while tables, benches
and chairs were crowded with men on their
feet, aud during the whole scene DIR, Sharpe,
General Grants brother in, law, and Judge
Bond stood in a corner quietly surveying the
riot The church was cleared by the police,
the Convention being broken up and the party
hopelessly split. They reassembled this even
ing, but without accomplishing any salts
factory results. This will eventually end in
the establishment of grand administration
party by coalition Of the Clements faction
with the native white Republicans.
Upon meeting Of the Convention this even.
ing the Mayor and police, at the instigation of
Judge Bond and Governor Wells, took entire
control Of the Convention aud would allow of
no organization except under their guidance
and partial dictation. a number of gentle
men prominent in their opposition TO Governor
Wells were threatened with arrest unless they
kept their seats. BY this system Of control
the aspect Of the Convention is favorable to
the nomination Of Wells.
PETERSBURG, VA. March 10.-In the af:
ternoon session of the convention to- day there
Was more excitement. A colored sergeant
alarms was appointed, against whom u white
man leveled his pistol while attempting to
make an arrest This man was taken charge
of by the police. A motion to ask the mayor
to withdraw the police force was defeated,
but that officer shortly after withdrew the
police force from the hall.
The nominations were then gone into, and
resulted as follows: II. b. Wells for Cover
nor DR.. j. D. Harris negro, for Lieuten.
ant Governor Thomas II. Bowden for At
torney General aud A. NJ. Crane, Congress.
man at large.
Resolutions were adopted, first, favorng
the early restoration of Virginia under the
new constitution. without change or amend
ment. and an early election, without which
there is danger OF fnal disaster.
Second That the election of Gen. Grant
has awakened confidence in and given new
guaranty for the principles of the republican
party. and made sublime truth that all men
are free and equal, and entitled to all the
privileges Of citizens.
Third. IIailing with gratitude Grants in
augural, and thanking him for declaring that
until there is universal suffrage there cannot
be peace.
Fourth Expresses the hope that hereafter
and he voted for.
Fifth. Thanking the President for restor-
ing Sheridan and Reynolds to the commands
from which they had been removed for the
faithful discharge of their duties, and also
pledsng the President the support of Vir-
ginia.
Sixth. Asserting equality of rights for all
citizens, urging proviso for the education of
the people in public schools open to all;
more equal system # taxation, q reasonable
provision to preserve home excmp. from
levy aud sale, the payment of the honest
debts of the State, to secure an impartial
jury trial by opening the jury box to all male
citizens, without regard to race or color.
Seventh. Asserting the right of the real
republican party of reconstruction to deter
mine the manner as we'll as the constitution
and laws under which the State shall be res.
tored.
Eighth.-Asserting that no republican
form of government can long exist or be
wisely administered where considerable por-
ton OF the people DISTINGUISHED. and that
the republican party Of the State arc not in !