The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-16
THE PETERSBURG VETO.
Rage Of the White Conservatives at Governor
Kemper's Action - Accused of COLLISION
with the Republican Administration
threatening Chaos Of Parties-The
Governor Burned in Efigy-
Lynching Propositions.
RICHMOND, March IA, 1874.

RICHMOND, March IA, 1874.
The most profound political sensation that has
occurred In Virginia since the close OF the war
was created bv Governor Kemper's Message to the
Senate vetoing the bill to provide a new charter
for the city of Petersburg. 1t Is known to
the readers Of the HERALD that The city
of Petersburg, like the State OF South Caro-
lima, Is hOpelessly republican by reason
OF the large majority OF negro voters and,
like the Palmetto State, it has been ill governed,
plunged in debt and the deepest distress by the
negro domination All efforts Of the whites to
gain control OF the municipality having proven
failure, and the business prospects of the city
continuing to depreciate, as last resort
they appealed to the Legislature. bill
was framed creating municipal board
of commissioners to be appointed by the conser-
vative Judge of the Hastings Court empowered to
control the Police, the Fire Department and some
OF the lesser Officers, and with authority to draw
upon the City Treasury for funds to execute their
trusts.
FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF NEW YORK.
The clause of the State constitution hav-
ing reference to the government of
cities Is exactly the same as that of the
State constitution of New York. from which 1t was
copied and the action of the New York Legislature
about 1885, placing the city OF New York under the
control OF a municipal board, which action was
sus' aimed by the Supreme Court OF New YORK,
was urged as the strongest argument IN
favor Of the constituttonaity and the legality OF
the scheme. This bill was passed by the Senate
by rather a close vote-2l to II. In the House the
majority in favor OF 1t was much stronger the
Committee on Courts Of Justice Of that body hav-
ing decided it was constitutional, and all but
three Of the conservative members declaring that
it was eXpedienr.
So great was the rejoicing upon the passage OF
the bill that salutes were fred bonfres were Lit,
bells were rung, torchlight professions were had
and the white people fairly ran mad with delight
at the prospect OF relief from negro rule. The
effect upon business was Immediately felt and a
briskness in trade, such as has not been evinced
since the war, resulted. When, therefore, the
people OF Petersburg heard with dismay that Gov
ernOr Kemper mad vetoed the Dill their
JOY WAS CHANGED TO SORROW AND DIsMAY,
Business suspended throughout the entire
CITY and never since General Grants victorious
battalions passed through the streets, pursuing
Lees broken and shattered columns, did such
universal mourning prevail In the Cockade CITY.
This soon followed by the strongest evidences
OF popular Indignation, and 1t was with great diff
Guilty that the most sober minded citizens could pre-
IRON burning Governor Kemper in efiigy upon the
streets. The TWO papers of that city were filed
with the most severe criticisms OF the Governors
action, especially in view OF the TACT that Peters
burger had nominated him In convention, and,
further, that PETERSBURG nau gwen nlm u larger
vote than any other candidate mad ever received
there.
A local paper OF Petersburg says 1t was thought
in that city when the news OF the veto came that
an excursion OF citizens should be organized Tor
the purpose OF visiting Richmond and appealing
to the conservative members OF the Senate to
stand by them in thus trying exigency. This plan,
all resigned themselves to that des air which pre-
pared them for the last act in the tragedy OF Peters
burg's mmolation About five O'Clock the bulletins
na1f ia Vnfn hnd hn0n hv n
vote OF IL to %. BY mscOnstructlOn 1t became
rumored through the city that only one more vote
Veto This attracted to the newspaper offices and
other public places large groups eager to ascertain
rival al e Of ' the mail from ' RICHMOND however,
settled all doubt, and showed that the
vote was rs Tor sustaining the veto and
Is for defeating 1t. Counsels Of moderation
and 1orbearance no longer prevailed to restrain
the wild impulses OF the betrayed citizens Of
r the Of e. Iss
world their Indignation and emphatic Reputation
OF Governor Kemper's action. Acting upon this
mated as Governor Kemper, and Labelled as fol-
9ws;-
FLAMES l.. KEMPER GOVERNOR OF vlRGINlA,$
SOLD OUT TO THE RADICALS. s
The image was carried alter dark to an elevated
spot In Bandord, baptized In Kerosene OIL ana, in
s1e se 81 ge ana na sars ns
prOaches of the crowd, and frequent cries Of
'''Burn the traitorl" &c. This demonstration
in measure appeased the vengeful feelings OF the
party and as the last flicker OF the flames died out
the crowd turned away ana quietly dispersed to
their homes.
LYNCHING DEMONSTRATIONS.
1t may be mentioned, among the incidents OF the
day. that on yesterday morning the prominent
places OF the city were placarded with the lnscrip
toni
xsS sco
w
blue or black heart.
II is stated that the black men waged relent-
less hostility upon all bearing the black heart, and
stripped them from their places.
RECONSIDERATION OF THE BILL.
The serate, the body in which the blu originated
bill ana veto, the question being Shall the bill pass
Notwithstanding the objections OF The Governor
Upon thus there ehsued one Of the most exciting
and portentous debates that has ever taken place
since the readnlsslon Of the State into
the Union. The friends OF the bill charged
that Governor Kemper, in his recent visit 10 Gen
eral Grant at Washington, which Is SAID to have
been arranged by the political guerilla, Colonel John
s. Mosby stated to the President that the parties in
this country were In chaotic condition That both
were fast disntegratng, and that the conserva-
tive party as II existed in Virginia was the only
polticai organization mat possessed strength and
endurance.
HINTS OF CONSPIRACY AGAINST THE cnIvALRY
1t was further hinted that Kemper offered his
support TO Grant for third term, and that IL was
arranged that kemper was to have the second
pace ON the national conservative ticket for the
tnlrd term In the anticipated breakup OF the
present political parties. state Senator hundley
salu to-cay mat General Grant asked In this con-
yerSation with Kemper, ''What about the Peters
burg chaterp' The Senator, continuing,
said he dld not know what Kempers response was
nor ala he care, but While the conservative mem
Ders OF the Legislature and the white people OF
petersburg were resting in the security that the
charter would receive Kempers approval, a re.
puOlcan Congressman from Virginia had stated
upon the floor OF the House OF Repre-
sehtatives that he had assurances that Gov
erDor kemper would veto the bill. Inc
idea was eXpressed-lf not In words, certainly Oy
intlmat0n-that Governor Kempcr had been 50
sed lced by General Grant during his late WISH Us
to be willing to disrupt the conservative party,
disregard the VIII OF the conservative members OF
the Legislature and sacrifice the people OI refers
burg to his personal ambition and tor the sake OF
General Grants approval. 49,, ,,
upon the imnroner exercise OF the veto power,
because he gave no clear constitutional objections
against tho bin, out opposed IT solely upon grounds
OF expediency OF which they contended they were
the best Judges. on the other hand the opponents