The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-08-01

favor of and demand the submission of the
question Of the financial obligations of
West Virginia to Virginia 10 the Supreme
Court OF the United States for decision.
We are in favor of the development of the
natural resources of the State, which under
the rule of the Conservative party and its
predecessors have lain dormant. The mines
OF coal, iron, and other minerals, the vast
Water-power, and the many other natural
resources OF the State which exist in rich
profusion on every hand, need but enter
prise and capital to develop them and thus
make Virginia one Of the greatest manufac-
turing States in the Union. To this end we
are in favor of such liberal legislation as
shall tend to encourage the interest of capi-
tai in mining and manufacturing operations,
and of general laws for incorporation. to-
sether with such liberal spirit on the part
of our people as shall invite men of enter
prise to come and dwell among us.
eve are in favor of reform in theadminis-
tration of justice in this State, and an en-
forcement Of the State Constitution in this
| respect, which will secure impartial justice
to all, irrespective of race, color, condition,
or political sentiment.
"We favor the election of the President,
Vice-President and all other officers of the
Government, as far as possible, by the d-
rect vote of the people.
"We approve and indorse the noble and
humane policy inaugurated by General
! Grants Administration, whereby all inter-
| national disputes shall be made the subject
of arbitration, thereby preventing the dread
havoc of war.
"ResoLved, That the Federal courts should
be accessible in all the States to all citizens
on appeal for redress of wrongs or protec-
tion of rights in cases where, upon proper
shovsing, equity demands it. We demand
reform in State laws in order to secure
fair elections by the abolition of partisan su-
peryision to enable every voter to exercise
the right of suffrage according to the die
tates of his own conscience"
The groundwork of this platform was
| prepared by Colonel Daniels, of the State
Journal, but paragraphs in the original de-
claring against mixed schools, in favor of
| female suffrage, ETC., were rejected by the
committee. The paragraph reproving the
congressional salary-grabbers was opposed
in committee, as it touched upon the toes of
some influential members Of the Convention,
but through the influence of Dezendorf,
Clements, and other honest members, it was
finally adopted in the mild form above.
| The Convention unanimously adopted the
| resolutions.
/ Mr.. Charles }. Malord, of Richmond,
offered the following:
| Resolved, That we disapprore of the act
passed by Congress emitting congressman
to draw back pay from the Treasury Of the
United States"
| Malord said that in presenting this resolu-
ton he was actuated by what he considered
his duty to his party. He believed that the
back-pay act was wrong and unjustifable,
and that if the Republicans were to place
upon it the stamp of their unmistikable
condemnation it would greatly strengthen
| them in the coming campaign.
Mr. Clements moved to lay upon the table.
Not agreed to.
Judge Shumaker, of Danyilc, arose TO eX.
press his regret at the introduction Of this
fre-brund in the councils of the Convention
and was going on, amid great confusion and
disorder, to extenuate the congressman, when
Malord asked leave, in order to restore har.
mony, to withdraw the resolution. Ohjec
ton was made.>
The Chairman took vote upon granting
the mover leave to withdraw his resolution,
and the question was decided in the mega.
tive.
Judge Shunlakcr arose to continue his re-
marks, but gave way to MIR. Plalt to make an
explanation.
Mr.. Platt said he was not here to make
any apology for voting or receiving his back
pay. The only objection lie had to the bill
was that it did not go far enough and in
clude the hard-worked and poory-compen.
stated employees of the Government. He
thought his conduct was not properly a SUBJ
iect for the consideration of the Convention.
Yet, if a resolution of the character proposed
were adopted as part of the platform, he
would deem it his duty as Republican
to give it most respectful consider'-
ticn. Instead of the act being d
steal it was measure of justice, and equal
. lied members pay. He really did not be-
f lieye that it would cost the Government
more than the old plan Of giving three thou,
sand dollars per annum and eight cents per
mile mileage. He called attention to the
fact that the bill was not passed as party
measure, and that five Virginia Conservative
representatives and one senator had elthel
: approved it from the first or fully profitet
by it by drawing what was due them by it
provisions.
Platt's speech was heartily cheered and
Malord, Immediately upon its conclusion,
made another and successful attempt to
withdraw his resolution.
The Convention proceeded to the reor
! ganization of the State Committee, with the
following result Chairman State Commit
tee, Major r. FL. Carter, of Fauquier chair
man of Executive Committee, Judge Alfred
Morton, Richmond; Secretary, Colonel John
r. Popham, Richmond.
j The Convention. at 6:45, took Il twenty
minutes recess in order to allow the delega
tions from the respective congressional dis.
tricts to agree upon members of the State
Committee.