Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-10-08
CONFERENCE OF CONSERVATIVE
ELECTORS AND CANVASSERS.

ELECTORS AND CANvAssERS.
On Tuesday last, the LIST inst, conference
Of the Conservative Electors, Superintendent
and Canvassers was held in the Exchange
Hotel in Richmond. About noon the Conven-
ton was called to order by Raleigh T. Daniel,
ESQ.,, Chairman of the State Committee, and
upon his motion Eppa Hunton, ESQ.,, was call
ed to the chair.
On motion of Mr.. Daniel, Mr.. James r.
Fisher, secretary of the State Committee, and
| the representatives of the Richmond press, were
requested to act as secretaries OF the Conven-
! ti0n
Mr.. William Ambers, ofChesterfeld county,
offered resolution that the representatives OF
the several counties, whether electors, canvass
ers, or superintendent, be called on in regular
order to report upon the organization OF the
party in their counties. This resolution was
adopted.
MIR. A. M. Kelley, of Richmond, suggested
that not only the organization of the county be
given in each case, but the general progress OF
| the campaign. the prospects, etc.
| COL John B. Baldwin, of Staunton, in speak
| ing for his county, Augusta, Represented by
| himself and Mr.. James FL. Skinner, of Staun-
| ton. stated that the organization in Staunton
and Augusta was good, but that SO far as pfac-
tical work in the canvass was concerned, little
| had been done. 1t was source of pleasure to
him to know and to say that there never was
less dissension. The people are for Greeley as
| unit. He did not think that there were a
| halfdozen men in the county mot Radicals)
who will not vote for Greeley The Loyal Claim
| Commission has been attempting to operate in
that locality, it being part OF the proof OF the
LOYALTY of the claimant that he shall first vote
| for Grant aud Wilson but as the people of old
Augusta are practical citizens they are not like
| " to part With either their lands or their votes
without at least having lien upon the purchase
| money. The speaker could see no reason to
doubt, with a vigorous campaign, that his
county would give full and triumphant vote
| for the Greeley ticket.
ed Col. Baldwin. He said he thought there
was apathy in Augusta; he knew of very little
straightoutisns in his county, but that there had
| been but small efforts to organize among the
| Conservatives, end that the people had not
| been sufficiently aroused to an appreciation OF
their duties. The county needed active can
wasting. He promised to do his part zealously
| in the canvass. Our difficulty would not be
with those who wont vote for Greeley, but
rather with those who, from apathy, don't vote
| for Greeley.
Mr.. Thomas B Smoot, of tao city of Alex
andria; Mr. William e. Irving, of Bedford !;
Mr.. George A. Hundley, of Buckingham, and
| Others made similar favorable reports from
| their sections.
Mr.. Walter D. Leake, of Goochland, then
moved that the reports be suspended, and that
as the roll of counties are called the representa-
tives present answer. Agreed to-
After the roll was called, followed by some
I o.,,l.o,- J:eo,xce;o- tha oorvopfico odiou-nod
to clock, P. M.
On the re-assembling Of the Conference, Col.
James Fl. Skinner of Slauntor, presented the
following resolution:
"Resoloed. That to perfect the Conservative
organization in this State, We recommend that
vigilance committee ften Or more be appoint
ed by the superintendents of the counties and
cities and for each township and ward therein;
and that we do further recommend that said
committee shall procure a list of the Conserva-
tive voters IN their respective townships, and
so provide that each voter shall be seen before
the day fixed for the Presidential election, and
urged to attend the polls on that day, and if
necessary be aided in SO doing"
Mr.. D. j. Goodwin approved of the resolution,
but thought that it was scarcely necessary. He
therefore offered as substitute resolution to
the effect that the county superintendents cause
mass meetings to be held at appropriate times
in various sections of their Counties before the
| 5th Of November next.
By universal consent Col. SINNERS resolu-
| ton was added to as follows:
| 'Resolued further, That the county super
intendents be requested to provide for the hold
| ing of mass meetings in each township
| After some discussion, on motion of Mr.
| Daniel the resolutions were laid on the table
Mr.. W. W. Wood, of Halifax, then moved
that the present plan of organization remain as
it is at present.
This motion was also laid On the table.
| Mr.. Mayo presented the following resolution,
| which was adopted:
ssResoEred, That the attention of superinten-
dents Of townships and wards be earnestly call
ed to the provision CT the third article OF the
plan of organization OF the party, and that In
order to secure full vote of the party on the
day of election they be requested to appoint
the necessary working committees, who shall
procure list of the Conservative voters In their
respective townships and wards, and so provide
that each voter shall be seen before the day fix
ed for the Presidential election and be urged to
attend the polls on that day, and if necessary
be aided ia SO doing.
Col. Robert e. Withers next addressed the
Convention, he having just reached the city,
aud gave most favorable account Of the con-
dition of affairs elsewhere in the State, and
urged the Importance Of continuing 10 the good
work and making the canvass as hot as fire
until the 5th Of November, when it is propos-
ed to carry the State by an overwhelming ma
jority for the Liberal ticket.
Mr.. ID. j. Goodwin, ofPortsmouth, presented
the following, which was agreed to:
RESOLVED, That it is the sense of this Con-
vention that our State Executive Committee
advise and urge upon the county superlnten-
dents to have mass meetings in each township
Of every county in the State between this and
the 9Th Of November, in addition to the mass
meetings already announced by the commit
tees"
By Mr.. Mayo:
"Resohed, That all Conservative canvassers
and electors be requested whenever they speak
to call especial attention to the Importance of a
| thorough organization of the party, as provided
for in the third article of the plan of organiza-
ton, and that the financial agent be requested
to report to the Central Committee at the ear.
Hest moment Agreed to.
On motion of Mr.. w. ?. Burwell, it was Or
| dered that a committee of three be appointed
to apply to the various railroad companies for
| free passes for Conservative speakers The
| Chair appointed Messrs W. P. Burwen Of
Richmond; John Goode, of Norfolk; and
Thomas B. Smoot, of Alexandria.
On motion, the Convention adjourned sine
die.