The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-10
VIRGINIA.

The Conservative Caucus Again Ina Ses-
Di0n without Nominating . Untted
States scnator-Ten Ballots Token
with No Result.
RICHMOND Va, Jan. O. 1874.
The Senatorial question was the all-absorbipg
topic to-day. Alter the nlbustering last night In
which no candidate exhibited his particular or
demonstrative strength, combinations were
IN order. All day the prevailing I'M
preston seemed 70 be in favor OF r. n. T. Hunter,
ex-United States and ex-Confederate Senator Mr..
Hunter is the candidate OF the old democratic ele-
ment in Virginia, ana perhaps Of tine whole
South. Some time ago he made q speech at win
chester on the occasion Of an agricultural AIR,
advocating the payment by the general govern
ment for emancipated slaves. This WAS rxceived
with . good deal OF opposition apd sorde
show Of temper by the press at tne/Soutb but
still old shareholders and large users In that
sort Of property BY the war grasred at Mr.. Hun
ter's proposition as drowning fman would catch
~ straw, in the hope that ssme turn in AFFAIRS
might repay them I0rloH slaves. This element in
the State has been eagerly urging Mr. Hunters
election, and the proposition lately mooted At the
North OF advancing additional currency to the
South is regarded here as an indication that Hun
ter's election would be acceptable to that section
These circumstances tended grRatly to advance
Mr.. HUNTERS CHANCES
BY the time the caucus met, at half-past seven
O'Clock p. M, Lieutenant Governor Wither's stock
was nominal. IL neither advanced nor decreased,
but among many members there was strong
desire to make him the recipient Of the Senatorial
salary, regardless OF ability, statemansnip and
experience, simply because ne is the father OF IL
with ali these. is a very poor man, VINO has strong
claims on his party, and to whom the donation OF
$4,000 IN n the next six years would be god
order as ranking among the chief contestants
Governor Walkers friends seemed rather despOnd-
everybody admitted, that he is the most
popular man for the place in the State.
A H. Stuart, Thomas SIS, 3 BScSck James Barbour
Lieutenant Governor Montague did not develop
any strength beyond the vote they got on the in
that came uppermost IN the minds Of members,
before the caucIs met as
A COMPROMISE MAN,
was Judge Christian Of the state Court of Appeals
aud is WAS the opinion OF members this evening
that II they did not succeed in electng leading
would be put forward and generally agreed upon
as compromise that would be acceptable TO all
parties.
Thus matters stood when the caucus met to-
night. Al this time the same system OF balOCng,
every member voting for whom he pleased at the
then taken, with the following resuit:-Withers,
"a; Hunter, II; Goode, q; Stuart, Is; Onld, 10;
L. u Fourney. 3, and Monsarne :. Seven bailois
were then taken without making decded change,
Withers rather gaining, Hunter holding his own,
Stuart increasing and Walker beginning with IL
votes.
ON THE RIGHTH BALLOT
Ex-Governor Smith was dropped, in accordance
with rule adopted at that stage OF the proceed
tngs he being the lowest on the list The ninth
ballot, during the taking OF which there quite
An excitement and some betting in the rOtunda
the clerks' Offces, stood as IOllows:-WltheIs,
81; Hunter, q; Goode, 49,; Stuart. 1a; Guild, l6;
Walker, IA. Under the rule Walker had to be
dropped on this ballot but after an intervening
ballot could be nominated.
THE EXCITEMENT
on the outside was increasing at this time, and at
each fresh announcement of the vote the anxiety
became greater. The tenth ballot was then taken,
resulting as foilows:-Wlthers, Is; Hunter. %;
GOOde, %; Stuart, %; Ould, 20. Ould, being the
lowest, was dropped when the caucus adjourned
until tomorrow evening without making any nom.
ination. The matter Is In as great doubt as ever
as to whom the candidate will be, as new c0mbina.
tons will doubtless be made tomorrow.
The republican members OF b0tn houses mum.
bering altogether AZ on joint ballot, caucused TO-
night to nominate candidate for United States
Senator, but Adjourned without being able to
agree. The contest was between John F. Lewis,
the present Senator; L. Fl. Chandler, OF Washing
ton, ID. c., and John jenkins, OF this city.