Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-03-16
Radical Convention at PETERSBURG.

=
The Radical Convention to nominate State
ticket met in the African Church in Petersburg
on Tuesday last the 9th inst. It was more like
a pack of ravenous wolves fighting over a car
cass than convention to nominate officers
We give the report Of it's proceedings as pubs
lished in the Dispatch.
TUEsDAY-At u o'clock the Convention
was called to order by DR.. G.. K. Gilmer, chair
man State Central Committee. The call was
read VI. E. Dudley, secretary of the Commit
tee. Scarcely had its last words escaped his
lips when up jumped Butts, the irrepressbe
and indefatigable, and nominated George Tuck
er, of Alexandria, for the position of temporary
chairman.
This was greeted with considerable applause.
Captain Plat then nominated Mr.. John w.
jenkins, of Frederick.
Upon this, Bowden, of Norfolk, was opposed
to the nomination of any man not rightly
member of the Convention. Cheers.
Patt arose to make remarks.
Samuel vehemently called him to order. The
question before the Convention was the nomi-
nation of temporary chairman and the gen.
tleman had no right to speak at the stage.
The Chair decided Plat out of order. [Cres
of Question - Question !"l
Platt again arose.
Buttz interrupted him. Said he, IF the
decision Of the Chair is not to be obeyed gen.
tlemen, | say let S know it, Applause.
Joe Holmes whose voice arose above doz
en- others): "Mr. Chairman, if dis gentlemans
de chairman of de Convention, let's know it.
Bowden, Holmes, Platt, Cox, and Maddox,
and dozen others, were shouting at the top OF
their voices Hine, among others, was lnexora-
BILE. Said he, Il have the floor; [ a0iU have
it; and I intend to speak
Buttz The gentleman cannot speak. If he
has any gentleman to nominate let him name
him.
Buttz, Bowden, Hine, Platt, and Samuel,
held floor caucus, which proved inharmonious,
and the confusion increased.
Joe Cox nominated William Isam NEGRO of
Richmond, for temporary chairman.
Further confusion
Mr.. Bowden was opposed to any representa-
tive Of county polling not over fifty votes rul-
ing a county polling two thousand.
Confusion trebed.
A delegate was opposed to contested delegates
having SO much to say.
Platt said that jenkins was regular dele
| gate.
Buttz: And there are fifty others, and the
| gentleman from Petersburg has no right to de-
eide as to who is a regular delegate.
/ Maddox moved that the vote be taken by &C.
clamation. AYE p "Aye!' ''Aye!''
Buttz (vehemently = Ali in favor Of the APP
pointment Of George Tucker, say Aye
AYE !" "Ayer' "Aye!' tumultuous ly and
loudly
his friends AS he took his seat, guarded by
Samuel and Buttz, Platt and several others
advanced towards the chair Platt ''went for
Samuel, and delegate who mounted the pulpit
made at Tucker with loaded cane. Instead
of striking him, he brought Turkey lick over
his Uranium, making the blood flow pretty free
| ly Butte made good use of his fists, whacking
right and left. Samuel was also in the lead,
and took an active part. The scene in the hall
at this time was indescribable. The more timid
of the delegates rushed out Of the doors OF
vamosed out Of the windows. The remainder
rushed towards the chair, where the confusion
was worse than that Of Bedlam. The police,
headed by the Mayor, rushed in and interfered,
amid the yes and cheers of the crowd.
Several arrests were made, but the parties
were subsequently released. While the police
were engaged in queliing the disturbance, Fay
erman, negro of Petersburg, rushed upon
Samuel, who was standing on the steps leading
up to the pulpit, and menaced him. Said he
II gwine wiring your neck off. told you SC
before, and you see if don't do it. = Samuel
remained very cool, and asked the police to ar
rest the offender, but the latter remained IN a
state of glorious indecision in regard to the ar
rest.
Burgess, the Mayor, at this point arose tc
address the meeting in order to preserve order
He proceeded at some length, and threatened
that unless order was kept he would turn the
crowd out He was continuing to speak, wher
objection was made to his addressing the Con
vention He was not delegate, and had nc
right to say anything. By dint of yelling anc
utter disorder he was put down.
Jenkins then got up and attempted to speak
disclaiming all purpose of creating a disturb
ance He was put down, and Tucker got up
A disposition to listen to him was at first mani
tested; but he had not spoken long before an
other rush was made towards the chair, and {
second scene occurred.
Burgess ordered the crowd to dispense. Dur
ing the confusion which ensued, Colonel Burk
delegate from Richmond, became involuntarl
ly involved in difficulty, and was pretty rough
ly handled for short while He was ordered
to be placed under, arrest and to be carriee
out AS this order was being obeyed the feel
ings Of either party were plainly manifested; blu
above all old Previous Question Bayne coule
be heard demanding the call for the previous
question. Some one cried out Take him out
carry him along dar; serve him right" while
others called OUT lion let III take nun
"Rescue him." &C. The delegate was sub
sequently released, it appearing that his partlc
ipation in the difficulty was brought about more
by accident than any intention OF his own t(
increase the disorder.
The delegates then dispersed and mostly wen
to their quarters. But although the disturb
ance had been temporarily quelled, matters hac
grown to be but the more threatening, tol
crowds gathered on the outside, and many anc
loud we're the menaces offered by the opposing
parties. Threats of arrest were made agains
certain leaders of factions, which were met by
threats of more serious nature Here mat
tiers rested In state of uncertainty.
The Mayor announced from the steps OF the
church that such delegates as chose would re-
assemble at % clock this afternoon; that nj
one would be admitted except delegates pro
ducing proper credentials until after the Con
vention was fully organized.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Bv clock the Convention had again as
sembled Mayor Burgess opened the meeting
who advised quiet and order, and suggested
that the chairman and secretary Of the State
Central Committee preside until temporary
chairman should be appointed.
A scene almost equal to that of the morning
ensued and finally the Mayor lost his patience
and left the hall, saying that he would leave
the crowd to fight it out.
Tucker then arose and suggested thai
Watkins James take the chair until temp orary
chairman could be appointed. This motion
carried, and mobocraey was again the order o.
the evening.
| Twenty or more motions were offered; among
the rest one to adjourn until tomorrow, to
III