Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-09-08
THE PARTY IN VIRGINIA

The Conservative State Convention
which assembled in Richmond on
Wednesday of last week was largely
attended, and embraced some of the
! ablest men in the State. All matters
| of business were referred to a Business
| Committee, composed of three from
each Congressional District. This cut
off all debate which could endanger the
peace of the party. Hon. VIM. L..
! Montague was made temporary chair
man. He assembled the stage in the
| role of the Count De Paris and
made a very foolish speech, invok-
ing only the aid of ,Uhite men and ask
ing that the State be surrounded by a
white wall. In less than fifteen min
utes the Convention voted, with but
/ one dissenting voice, to admit six col
Ored delegates from Richmond, and
! they took their seats amid the most
vociferOus and hearty applause. That
| splendid veteran, Hon. ThOs. S. Bo-
! cock, was made permanent chairman
and on him devolved the duty of APP
pointing the State Executive Commit
tee. We give these appointments else
where. Gen. J. A. Early declined
/ serving the Convention in any public
capacity whatever and withdrew from
/ the body. Reason-the Conservative
/ party refuses to reject all conservative
votes cast by colored people. He is
now in one of the most dinlinutive
minorities which can well be conceiv-
ed Of The Business Committee was
represented from the Sth dist. by Gov.
McMullin, J. II. 4. Smith, of Russell
and I. c. Fowler, of Bristol
We have not space for those OF the
other districts. After the adjourn
ment on Monday cveniDga grand par
ty rally was held, and the meeting
was addressed by w. w. Walker, Jno
i. Baldwin. EX-Gov. Smith and w
w. Giln.er. The utmost confidence
and enthusiasm were manifested The
main work of the Convention was the
reorganization of the party, and the
| following Platform and plan were
unanimously adopted as they came
unanimously endorsed by the Com
mittee or business:
PLAN OF ORGANIZATION.
/ Hon. VIM. Smith, from the commits
tee of business, presented the follow
/ ing partial report:
4 PLAN or ORGANIZATION OF THE con
SENTATIVE PARTY OF VIRGINIA.
The Conservatives of Virginia, in
4 State Convention assembled, declare
/ il TO he the aim and purpose of their
organization to oppose and defeat the
/ Radical party; and with this view
Z tLey invite all the opponents of Radi-
! cal rule to unite in the following work
| ing organization of the Conservative
/ party of Virginia:
/ I.--Sfdic Organization.
A State committee, to consist of thir-
! ty-three members, nine of whom shall
+ be residents i'm Richmnnd-viZ:
! A chief director. who shall be chair
I man of the committee, and shall have
! the chief direction throughout the
| State of ali matters relating to voting,
( organization and REGISTRATION.
Eight associate directors, who shall
4 I've members of the committee, shall
act as aids to the chief director, and
will assist in the discharge of his du-
I ties.
Twenty-four consulting members,
/ three Of whom shall reside in each
/ congressional district, and who may
! be convened by the resident commit
tee whenever ian their opinion it shall
( he proper; all of whom VIII be APP
/ pointed 10y the authority of the State
Z Convention, and viii maintain its or
+ ganization by removals, filling vacan-
cics, &c.
The state committee thus constitu-
4 ted shah have plenary power to per-
I feet the party organization, to direct
and control its practical working i'm all
parts OF the State, and TO decide final
/ in all questions that may arise affect
inc its harmony anh efficiency. But