The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-08-01
The Conservative Congressional Con.
venti0n I'm the Eighth District.
MARION, SMYTH COUNTY, VA.,2

MARION, SMYTH COUNTY, VA.,S
July %, 1870.
For the purpose Of nominating a candi-
date to represent the eighth congress
sional district in the Congress of the United
States, the Conservatives of the district met
in convention here yesterday at noon, and
adjourned to-day at noon. The Convention
organized temporarily, and afterwards per-
manently by the election of William Watts.
of Roanoke, as chairman, and the editors of
the newspapers present as secretaries.
A committee on permanent organization
was appointed, who submitted a majority
and minority report. The majority re-
ported to take the 1chole registered cote Of
the district in the last gubernatorial cleo
ton, as the basis for voting in the conyen-
ton. The minority were in favor Of count
ing only the actual Conservative cote in that
election. The majority argued that there
are large number of Conservatives non
who were not Conservatives then, and that
it would be unfair not to give them show
ing in the convention. The majority report
was adopted.
One was reminded by the doings Of the
convention of the good old times when
heavy sparring and good-humored wit gave
zest to conventions.
There were quite number OF good
speakers, who belabored each other to such
an extent as to cause repeated cheers. The
Fowlers and McGinnis, of Washington !;
Kent, Crockett, Blair, and Pierce, of
Wvthe General Walker. of Pulaski; Shell
ton, of Montgomery McCallll, OF Roa-
noke, and sundry others, kept things lively
bv continual cross-tiring. j. B. Barrett, of
Wvthe. made very sensible speech, though
speaking is not in his line.
The prominent candidates were General
William Terry, of Wytheville Colonel
Humes, of Abingdon General Bowen, Of
Tazewell: and Mr.. Burns, of Scott. The
names Of all the candidates except General
Terry were withdrawn, and, upon motion,
he was unanimously chosen. There was
not Il dissenting voice, and cheer after cheer
went up. General Terry commanded the
Old Stonewall brigade during the late war,
and was known to be q most gallant sol
dier. His opponent, it is supposed, will
be the unquenchable will that word do y
Fayette McMullin.
Before the convention assembled he made
a speech announcing the determination of
the q" odd WAGNER" to run against any
"blooded nag" the convention might put
on the track. The bloodeG horse Is now
on, and the Governor will have to do better
running than ever before to beat the race.
The district is fully aroused, and its speak
Ing men (tncr name Is lcSlOiJ VIII see W IL
that no independent" or Radical shall be
elected.
The Hon. Fayette McMullin proposed in
his speech to execute his bond for one hum
dred thousand dollars, with good security,
that he would keep out of the way in .fu-
tire, provided the Conservatives.would put
him on the track noU. The result shows
how very blind the convention was. Is it
not passing strange that the convention
should refuse so good IN offer?
We had rain last night, and it is steadily
coming down us l write. From present
indications this year will be known as the
crop year. The harvest of small grain was
very fine, and corn promises an abundant
yield. Besides, the crop of fruit, both cul-
seems far removed from this people, for
which should we not all be grateful?
SPECIAL.