Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-12-11

that term he thought the object of the
conference was to ascertain the various
views with the purpose of harmonic
ing them. Upon arriving he found
everything in confusion. He found a
large party leaving the hall, they
claiming to be the onlys Simon-Pure
readjusters.
Mr.. Brooke, while an uncompromis-
ing readjuster, didn't know that he
agreed with them didn't know their
opinions at all. He thought that it
would have been better for all to remain
together, at least until there had been
comparison of views, and then, if ne
cessary, they could have retired with
clean hands. Mr.. Brooke proceeded to
explain his own views, and expressed
wish to hear othirs; it to be under
stood that no binding action was to be
| taken.
General Talieferrro said that they
| were placed in peculiar position.
They had been invited to meet the re
| adjCsters there, and those who invited
them had gone off and left them. 1t
was violation of Virginia hospitality.
1t was as if they had been invited to a
mans house and the host had gone off
and left the guests.
Mr.. Smith called Mr.. Koiner to the
chair and offered several resolutions,
which, however, were not acted upon.
General Echols said he was placed in
a very unpleasant position, as his case
was somewhat similar to Mr.. Brooke's.
He deeply regretted the steps taken by
the gentlemen who had withdrawn from
this meeting. On a good many points
he agreed with those who had with
drawn, but he was in favor of a confer
ence of all the Conservative members,
and he would remain in this meeting
only with the understanding that he
should not be bound by anything that it
might do. Before he concluded to be-
come candidate for the House he wrote
letter to very prominent banker OF
the city of New York for the purpose OF
learning if the bondholders would re-
ceive proposition looking to the adjust
ment of the public debt. His answer
was that the banker could speak for the
northern gentlemen who held a large
portion of our bonds, and that he was
satisfied that the Europeans would dc
: likewise, and would enter into an ar
rangement by which they would be able
to obtain an interest of three and hal
or four per cent. per annum.
General Anderson said he expected
when he came into this hall that there
would be conference of all members Of
the Conservative party, and there woult
be general expression of opinion in
reference to the adjustment of the debt
He gave his views about the same as ex
pressed in the platform.
General Anderson offered the follow
ing:
,, Resolued, That meeting of all mem
bers of the General Assembly in favo
t of using all honorable means to bring
about REIMBURSEMENT of the public deb
9 be called to meet in the hall of thu
House of Delegates at u o'clock F. NJ.
: on Thursday next, for the purpose 0
), comforting on that subject.
The resolution was adopted.
4. The Dispatch says: The trouble o
Saturday night was rather the result o
! misunderstanding than OF any studied
, design. The notice for the meeting, a
read in the House, did not have MI
+ Harrison's name to it. 1t did not stat
s that it was an adjourned meeting eff re
= adjusters. It did not indicate the pur
e pose. Many thought that it was for tn
e nomination of State officers, and peopl
e of all parties and of all readjustmen
9 shades of opinion believed they were in
l. vited. There was really no purpose t.
10 capture the organization of the S. p. re
l. adiusterg.
e The latter, however, thought that MI
Is C. T. Smith was leading strageti
move. Before the thing could be eX
: planned anger took possession of the tw
l. (?) parties.