Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-09-05
RICHMOND.
Politics Of the city-cOnduct Of Blacks
Their Countless PROFESSIONS and Gala
Days-PFOg'ess Of Manufactures
The South American
Flour Trade.

From an Occasional Correspondent
RICHMOND, VA, September 1, 1871
We have (thank Cod, with two ex'
ceptions, a Conservative city govern
ment. That is, all of the city Officers
sre Conservative and true Southern
men. except Com. 81. Alderdice
Auditor, and Julius Fischer (Dutch)
Commissioner Of Revenue, and OuI
city affairs are administered fairly and
honOrably. Our beautiful city of hills
has nearly recovered from the effects
ofthe war. Nearly all the gaps caused
by the fire on our principal streets
have been filed up by the erection Oi
new buildings, and some of them
would be an ornament to any city.
The negroes are holding meetings
nightly. and are perfecting their plans
for the next election, which takes
place in November. They are headed
by one of the most contemplate
scoundrels in the South, by name
Joseph Humphreys. This mans
father came here long before the wal
from the North, and was respected as
a good citiZsr; but this sneak (his som
has i0ined hands with the worst class OF
negroes and still worse white men, and
at every election comes forward with
HIS army Of ragamuffins in opposition
to our citizens ticket. He himself is
never candidate, for he holds fat
Office here in the custom-houss. l
wish I had this fellows photograph to
send YOU, but / suppose he is like
most Of Grants officials. People here
wonder where the money comes from
10 nav the hOrdes Of negroes who are
brought here from the adjoining cOun-
ties to vote at every election. They
may be seen days after each election
Iounging around the custOm-hOuse
waiting for their GCdgeS. But, does
NOT the mere fact Of Humphreys
holding Office in the custOm-hOuse eX-
plain. it either comes out of his steal
ings or fromF Washington? The ne
grOes Of this city have excursion on
the brain, there is not day but we
have an excursion going to, or coming
from the negroes heaven, Washing
ton: and with the visitors from Wash
ingtOn, Lynchburg, Petersburg and
all Of the counties, scarcely a day
passes without a grand procession Of
negroes marching through our streets,
headed by the famous brass bands OF
Lewis. L nsdey and Dalmy mot Long
Tom. famous for noise). By the way,
a very amusing occurrence took place
here a few DAYS ago. There arrived
here from Washington, a large num-
ber of negroes belonging to some go
ciety, and headed by band, marched
up 10 the capitol grounds TO have a
grand display, but 10, and behold
when they reached there they found
all Of the gates locked and one OF the
caDitOl police standing quietly by.
The Grand Marshal of the Washington
negroes stepped forward and told the
policeman to open the gates in order
that the societies might pass in; the
policemen respectfully declined to
open the gates unless the chief Tycoon
OF the negroes had a permit from
Gilbert G. Walker granting them per-
mission to pass into the grounds. The
boss negro said he was from Wash
ington and did not require pass from
Governor Walker or any other mon,
and II the gates were not opened al
onco, he (the negrO) would telegraph
10 Washington and get an order from
General Grant that would make those
gates iy open like magic. The police
mans reDlv was that "teJ7 tlOus and
orders from General Grant would not
cause him to open those gates" This
created quite a hubbub, as the Rich
mOnd negroes were anxious to give
the WashingtOnians a good time, but
aarV gate was opened, and no order
from Grant came, whether because
there was nothing to be made by it or
not can't say. 1t is well to say here
that owing to the negroes breaking
down the shrubery and trampling
over the lawns the Governor issued an
order that no organization should
enter the square unless by special
permit. Now I expect the next thing
we hear will be that all of the yolsng
rising sons Of Ham will be summoned
before the Ku-KluX Committee and
add one more charge against the rebs.
Business here is quite brisk. Nearly
all OF the tobacco factories are at work,
and give employment to large num-
Der of hands, white and black; the
Tredagar WOrks-in full blsst-fur-
nishing rolling stock to our Southern
railroads; the Belle isle Iron Works
are working in full force, and turning
out large quantities OF as goods nails
as can be made in the United States.
We have g new sugar refinery, just
started here, and the specimens of
work from it 1 have seen is equal to
any in the country. We ara also ship
ping large quantities Of -four to South
America. This was an extensive
trade with Us before the war, and is
being rapidly revived. There are
now some twenty vessels plying be-
tween this city and South America.
The Pathological and Horticultural
Societies have a grand exhibition here
next week, and will be q grand affair,
ss fruit and other articles are being
daily received from all parts Of the
United States, and it is expected that
every State in the Union will send
delegates. Our harbOr improvements
are prOgl essing finely under that skill
full aud accomplished gentleman,
Captain r. D. Minor (Of the old navy).
He is the right man in the right place.
The Conservative Convention con-
vened here yesterday, and all Of the
members seem TO have thrown their
whole energy into the work before
them; and 1 believe we will strike
Radicalism such a blow in November
next that, as fighting Jim Fisk says,
IL will 90 "Where the WOodbine twin
eth"
NARROw-G