New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-16
bill banquet afterward took place at the Douglas In
THE PETERSBURG ELECTION Troubles

THE PROTEST OF THE VIRGINIA DELEGATION IN CON-
GREss AGAINST THE CALL FOR TRooPs-rHE
UNITED STATES MARSHAL THINKS THEY ARE
NOT NEEDED-THREATs OF VIOLENCE MADE, BUT
NOT CARRIED oUT-rHE OPINION OF THE COL
LECroR or INTERNAL REVENUE.
AS has already been stated, after Represen-
tatives Plat and stowel Of Virginia had. last Friday
requested President send troops tn Petersburg for
the protection Of certain ofc RS whose lives were sae
to be in danger. the remainder Of the Virginia deega
TON in the House. except Alex. M. Davis, Democrat
protested against the ordering soldiers to that city,
Tbs telegram which they sent to the President from the
Capitol follows:
DEAR SIR; We. rho undersigned, representatives I'D
Congress from Virginia respectfully ask that you VIII
not order soldiers Petersburg. We believe tnat
under the able now acting rs Marshal ana Dislo.
Attorney the laws OF country viii be enforced anu
n any one has committed an offrnse he Will be pun-
ished Ordering United States soldiers there AZ tis
time will. in opinion, iniure state. aud do no
earthly good With sentiments sof high regard we re-
main, your 0Oedient servants
The above dispatch was signed by four Conservatives
and two Republicans, John Amber Smith and James b.
Sener. In order ascertain the circumstances con-
nected with the appeal for troops reporter of The Pc
rsburg Inde1 and Appeal called at the Customhouse'
and questioned United States Marshal Ramsdell, sol'
Richards, Collector of Internal Revenue, and MT,
McCaleD. Marshal Rlmsdeu said he had not come 10
the city the mission indicated in the telegram sent Dy
the Attorney and far he had seen no reason
10 exercise his power. He did not apprehend any dan
ger to Government property officials. but expressed
hope all good citizens irrespective OF party or race
would unite with him for the preservation OF ORDER 80
that a resort armed intervention might be ayolieu
Especially did he that all good citizens woui1
and discourage the threats or personal
violence alleged to have been made BY intemperats
pOnr persons II this course were pursued
peace would be easily established and preserved
Col Richards said he supposed the appeal FOR troops
by Plat and 5Owel the result OF nn-
merous communications 10 them asking the protection
OF the Government against threats or personal violence
to members of the Republican party who were supposed
to be engaged pressing OF the judges of cleo
ton charged win fraud For his own part ne nad
nothing to do with fixing aiidavits though ne
frankly confessed approved OF the course o tne
Republican party la the matter, wnlcn ne shd was
purely party measure for which no single Individual
was responsible. No prices had been PAID ne sal, Or
afdaViJs made by those whose votes Aid Deen re-
fused bat all been made voluntarily by tue az
grieved $50 OF whom mad applied az the custom
house To nave Justice done them. he complainant that
ne had iDsted with his wife upon the streets
but he believed the majority and more intelligent po
ton o fthe Conservative party did not approve Oh ~
He had however, been advised DIV Conservative
flds down town, lest ne should receive
ing aud stsement that had reached has ears induced
bn To believe that the officials OF the Goyern;eht
would be ob strucied in the performance OF their uuty
and that be necessary 10 invoke military pro
lection He had since talked with prominent Conserya-
tive gentlemen, aud did not now believe tnht was
necessary call on the military, and hoped wOud no
he done Mr. McCaleb also complained tnat threats ai
been made against him his presence, anu tnat ne hu
been insulted while his way home, ana lie thOusht
wnen il came that we'll for man 10 inquire
whether IL was worth while % preserve his Own ne,