The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-07-08

power OF the State Committee is here clearly
defined. 1t is "charged with the affairs OF
the party, and has power to perfect its or
ranization and to direct its conduct in obe-
dience to the declarations and policy OF the
party as the same shall he set forth by the
DC. The Executive Commit
tee is but the mouth-piccc OF tho State Com
machinery employed to execute
its DEGREES.
Attention is called to the italicized Ian
guage in the third section under the head Of
" city and county organizations" In tho
old plan the county chairmcn were known
as '.city and county superintendent" and
but for the changes made by the ConVen-
tion in 1878, the italicized words would
read "such committee shall elect Sltper'n-
tendent," and in that case it could
no longer be contended that that
officer must be member OF the
City or County Committee. 1t is there
fore the sense OF the State Committee, as
expressed Mt its late meeting, that the Ian
guagc, as used in the present plan OF organl-
zation, should be so construed as to clothe
power to go outside Of their number and Sc
lcct from the great body Of the Conserva-
tivcs of the city or county the most efficient
person to be found to fill the position OF city
or county chairman.
As will be seen by the published proceed
ings OF the State Committee, the cities and
counties are called upon to promptly take
steps to secure 4 thorough Reorganization
Of the party. To this end, where such re-
organization has not been effected within
the present year, meetings should be at
once called by the existing committees; or,
where there are no such committees in
existence, by any Conservatives OF the
city or county. due notice being given OF
the object OF the meeting, and an etli-
cicnt committee and chairman elected.
So soon rs this Reorganization has been cf-
fectcd. the city or county chairman is re-
u1Icstcl to communicate the fact to the
chairman OF the State Executive Commit
tee that he may be informed Of the changes
made in the process OF Reorganization and
the new names entered upon the commit
tees books, with 4 view 10 the distribution
OF documents, &c. The work OF rc0rsani-
zation should not be delayed.
ATTEMPTED EMECTE AT THE PENlTEN-
T!ARY.-W cdncsday evening there was an
effort made to ovcrpower the guard ana
gain their freedom by some OF the conVlcts
in the pcnitcntiary, which, had 1t been sue
cessiul. would doubtless have resulted not
only in the killing OF Il number OF the guard,
but in opening the doors OF that institution
to many, if not all, OF the prisoners con-
fined therein. The extent OF the plot, II there
was any organized movement, is not known
but it is believed there must have been
some understanding between the prisoners.
1t appears that at the hour for the evening
meal, when all the convicts-about Go0 III
number-had been summoned to the dining
hall, and just after the signal for them to be
seated had been given, one OF their number,
who seemed to have been chosen to lead the
movement, instead Of sitting down started
hastily towards one OF the guards, Mr..
II. B. Smith, and attempted to seize his pls.
tol. at the same time eXclaiming, I'VE want
our freedom" or similar words. MIR.
Smith eyaded the attempt to get his pistol
by q backward movement, and struck
the prisoner over the head with his "billy,'
knocking him down. This was signal for
action on the part OF other prisoners. \
number of them rushed to the assistance OF
their comrade; while others, who dou btlcss
were not in the plot. ranged themselves on
the side OF the guards, OF whom there were
but five or six in the hall. The latter, with
their reinforcement of prisoners, succeeded
not only in keeping the Others from contlnu'
ing the desperate attempt begun by then
comrade, but quieted them and secured tht
ringleadcr, who was at once placed in soll'
tary confinement. But for the guards in the
hall, and their convict assistants, acting sc
promptly in quelling this outbreak, there is
no knowing the proportions it might have
assumed, nor the amount OF damage that
might. have been done.