The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-07-12
LETTER FROM PETERSBURG.
PETERSBURG. July II. 1872

To the Editor ofhe State Journal: r
| have conversed with the delegates and
other persons who went to the Farmville
Convention, and am able to give you Il
"plain unvarnished tale" of the whole
affair.
1t was understood that q coalition had
been formed between Porter and Williams
ostensively to ''beat StowelI," but really to
sell out Williams to Porter. The Williams,
men saw the game and became disguised
with the selfish greed of their unnatural
ally.
AS you already know a bolt took place.
The majority Of the convention conceded
everything in reason to the minority, and
after ettecting a temporary organization adj
journed to 3 O'Clock. At that hour the
meeting was called to order with a full con-
v~ention. There were several contrasting
delegations of men who bore credentials to
the convention. These were admitted to
the hall and were allowed to participate
until the committee on credentials should
decide upon their claims to seats.
The Porterites then questioned the legali-
ty of the temporary organization effected
at noon, and demanded that the same
should be gone over again that they might
participate. In q spirit Of Cancellation and
for the sake of harmony this point was con-
coded. The chair was vacated and another
temporary organization was effected all
parties participating. A committee on Gre
dentials was appointed, who, after a long
absence made a compromise report, throw
ing out the Stowell contestants in some
cases and the Porter contestants in others,
making a very fair ad justment of the differ
ences. The minority were very willing to
accept the report SO far as it favored their
side, but objected to the Cumberland dele
gates who were legally elected because they
happened not to be Porter men. ..9
MIR. John Robinson, of Amelia, made a
long and violent harrangue against that
portion of the report of the committee, and
at the close of his remarks, aoith0M Wadinq
for any action By the convention, not waiting
even to hear a reply to his unreasonable
speech, he stalked out of the convention,
calling upon his friends to follow. And his
friends to the number of seven delegates.
including G.. May and Armstrong, of this
city, followed. And this was the bolt.
There was not even q shadow of q pretcxt
for it. Chissel and Matthews subsequently
withdrew, but the former refused to par
ticipate with the boilers, and the latter re-
turned to the convention, nominating and
supporting his friend Williams in the regu-
lar convention. a#ff q
The two-thirds Of the delegates remain
ing in the legal Convention without filling
up vacancies, made their nomination and
transacted their other business and adj
journed. AS you have already been in
formed, they nominated that true and tried
public servant, the Hon. w. II. II. Stowell,
for reelection TO the seat he has so honora-
bly, filled, and that honest, quiet, unobtru-
siye, yet eloquent speaker and indefatiga-
bic worker, Mr.. Ross Hamilton, of Neck
lenburg, for Presidential Elector from this
district.
The ticket gives great satisfaction. Mr..
Stowell will be ~triumphantly elected to
Congress. And if Ross Hamilton is not
chosen by the people as one of the Electors
of this State, it will be the fault of the bolt
ers of this district carrying their wicked
and c~ausless bolt so far as to set up an in
dependent Elector and thus aid in EARRING
what is conceded as a very close State
against Grant and Wilson. The Porter tea
party went through the form of ''resolut-
ing" for Grant, but their poor dupes did
not realize that they were boHiing from
Grant in nominating their Independent
Elector !..il am sure Mr.. Williams possesses
too much patriotism and good sense to
allow his name to be used for so infamous
a purpose! tag
am glad to inform you that the senti-
ment in Petersburg is overwhelmingly for
the regular nominee. The people have had
their fair preferences, but they submitted
their claims to a lairly-constituted conven
ton, and cheerfully abide the decision of
that convention. Petersburg Republicans
nerer hare, and nceea' wiW bolt a regular
nomination. OCCASIONALLY.