Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-08-11
A Riot Almost i'm the Virginia Con.
yentiOn.

From New York Herald Core pOndence.l
The great number of AIS delegates, nearly all
Of whom were present, began to pour into the
theatre this morning at twelve o'clock, only to
find that when half their number had gained adj
mission that it was already packed to sufocation
This caused by the admission of large num-
bers who were not delegates, and the building,
after scene of great disorder and confusion, had
to be cleared and the delegates only readmitted
at p. NJ. it was near p. NJ, however, when
the evening session commenced, and then was
witnessed such scenes of tumult, amounting al
most to violence, elimination and recriminstion
ard all the accompaniment of bowling mob,
| lacking only riotousness The factions soon de
veloped themselves, the majority being anti-Ms-
hone and the minority for Mahone-in other
| words, the antireadjusters and the read busters.
The weather was exceedingly hot, the thermom-
eter standing high in the nineties, and as the ex-
element increased the perspration oozed from
the pores of the assembled statesmen of Virginia
The stage, parquet, dress circle and family tier
were thronged with delegates The gallery,
usually occupied by the gods alone was allotted
to spectators.
LABELLED DELEGATES.
Every man. properly labelled with badges bear
| ing the candidates name TO whom he belonged,
was in his place, and stern determination to stand
or fall by his leader was on every face. The
Daniel men wore red, the Malone men orange
colored badges. These were the two main dele
| cations but in the coufict that ensued, the re-
naming delegations sided with the Daniel men,
all seeming to rally under the banner of "any
body to beat Mahone," and Daniel TO all ntenis
and purl oses proving the most available candi-
date Tor the present For convenience sake the
delegations seated by Cong esslona dist lets
IN line divisions, one for each district, and tnis
rather served to Increase the confusion, as it had
the efft ct of dividing and scattering the factions
Unfortunately all over the theatre.
A CHAIRMAN "sHUT Up"
This was the situation at 3 z. NJ, when Colonel
William Lamb, Of Norfolk, bitter anti Nj ahone
man, was elected temporary chairman by accla-
nation, as had been virtually agreed upon the
previous evening by the State Committee, where
The contest for temporary chairman was made.
On taking the chair Colonel Lamb proceeded to
address The Convention. In the course of his
speech he expressed his sentiments in favor OF
treating the public creditors fairly and maintain
ing tine pligLted faith of the State. His remarks
were greeted with cheers from his own side and
a storm of Kisses frcm the Mahoniies.
MIR. j. S. Wise, who demanded to know if the
question was open for discussion, was ruled out
of order.
Col. Lamb quoted General II. A. Wise as to the
sacred duty OF maintaining the State credit. Cat
calls wells and Kisses followed the allusIon to the
debt. The Colonel paused for silence, and when
he could make his voice heard he endeavored to
complete the expression he had begun on the debt
question. Again he was interrupted; there was
applause amid perfect hurricane of Kisses.
PANDEMoNIUM SUPREME.
Colonel Lamb undisturbed by the uproar, un
m cd nv he fra loul "a nm
MIR. Chairman, unexcited in a situation where
many more experienced presiding officers would
have failed or given up altogether said calmly,
81 wish you would hear me, for am gong to speak
not long" Then some words that sounded like
Public obligations" escaped his lips; then Kisses
then men jumped upon their chars; then short
and sharp CALCULATIONS; then confusion supreme
and pandemonium. Lamb sat down to wait for
order to be restored.
Mr.. j. S. Wise pledged Colonel Lamb that there
would be absolute silence If he would not discuss
the debt question. Colonel Lamb again essayed
TO utter bis opinions. but his voice, which is clear
but not very strong one, was swallowed up in
the uproar made as before.
Major Cameron, of Petersburg, a Malone lead
er, who was on the stage not far from the chair,
| addressed the Chairman and was given the floor.
POLICE!
There seemed some purpose to subject Colonel
Cameron TO violent interruption, but Colonel
Lamb put stop TO it by saying, IN peremptory
tone, Mr.. Cameron, Of Petersburg, has the floor.
We must have order or | will call upon the po-
lice"
Colonel Cameron stated that he did not believe
that the disorder which had marked the proceed.
ngs intended as disrespect either to Colonel
Lamb personally or to his position temporary
chairman, but that the elements which he Game
rom represented would not consent to have the
debt discussed In this way.
Colonel Lamb quietly said For the sake of
peace and order shall omit some of be remarks
| intended to make on this subject Many good
people make the mistake of attributing the hard
times to the taxes they have to pay" Upon the
| utterance OF the word taxes" the convention, or
at least very considerable portion of it, relapsed
INTO disorder again. Once more were Kisses
hurled at Colonel Lamb; once more did delegates
mount chairs, and with coats of gesticuate and
calculate. 10 the beginning for every hiss there
was a counter-balancing cheer. At this period
those who had sustained Colonel Lamb seemed
content TO let the fury OF the readusters spend it.
self
At last the contest between the speaker and
some Of his auditors ceased and Lamb announced
that the Chair was ready for business.