Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-08-10
a STORMY CONVENTION.
MEETING OF THE STATE CONSERVATIVE
CONVENTION TURBULENT SCENES


HE REDUCES 1T TO ORD Err.
SC, &C., &C., NC.
The State Conservative Convention,
which met in Richmond Wednesday, was,
as was apprehended from the personal char
acter of the canvass, a stormy body. For
three days before its meeting, the friends
of the different candidates for the Cover
norship lad their headquarters, beer, free
lunches and music in the city. and the
streets were traversed by men wearing the
col,fs of their favorites. The theatre IN
which the Convention met, was decorated
profusely with flags, a strong detachment
of police was inside the building, and at
precisely II O'Clock the delegates poured
in. Tie s'State' says:
.4 Hi A FEW PROMINENT MEN.
Among the many distinguished men pres
ent, we noticed at a single glance the FOL
lowing:
Col. William Byrd, of Winchester, one
of Holidays right-hand men, is distln-
guisled gentleman of one of the most IL
lustrious old families of Virginia, the de>
scendant and pamesake of the famous Col.
Byrd of colonial fame. He was an officer
Of the Texas troops, and served with dis
tinguished gallantry in the war.
Major Bob Hunter. Holidays principal
manager, is a well-known editor of Win
chester, well known in the war as General
Gordon's adjutant general.
General John EchOls commanded tie
Twenty-seventh Virginia regiment. a law
yer since the war in StauntOn.
james A. Walker. of Pulaski, a famous
commander of the Stonewall Brigade.
General William Payne, of Fauquier, is
an ex- cavalry officer OF distinction, mag
niticent specimen Of the war element OF
Virginia, and tie principal supporter of
Fitz Lee. ti't+ -it- l-t -l4- -.
THE SPIRIT OF THE GUBERNATORIAL
.a' CONVENTION.
1t seemed evident before the Convention
commenced that the body would be tenn
pestuous and unwieldy one. Whilst repre-
sentative statesmen were sprinkled among
the delegates and men Of more than aver
age intelligence made up the vast assem-
blage, yet everybody was ''red hot" and
was itching to give vent to his partizan
feelings. Pluck and determination stood
out upon every face. and perspiration oozed
from every brow. The mind was excited
and the blood ran quick and high. Also
the Thermometer registered 100 degrees.
Opposing elements were ready to bear down
each other, and yells and huzzas rolled over
the crowd. AT quarter past IL o'clock
the temporary chairman had not attemp-
ted to call the house to order. Confusion
regned supreme. Men jumped to their
feet and tried to speak, but couldn't be
heard. w.
The first pc rson who addressed the as
semblage from the stage was Mr.. j. u.
Bohannon, of Mathews. He was in favor
of putting out Of the building all but dele
gates. He was greeted with applause by
some and Kisses by others.
Mr.. Pridemore, of Lee, spoke in favor OF
tie same movement.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN.
Then Colonel William Lamb, of Norfolk
who was chosen by the Executive Commit
tee as temporary chairman, made his APP
pearance. He rose from the speakers
chair and spoke in an impressive manner
Colonel Lamb is a man of medium height,
spare built, and thin visaged, with a voice
sharp and crisp.
He was UNIV Wiling to take his place as
temporary chairman until every delegate
had secured seat to which he was entitled
and called upon Judge Lowell, chairman
of the State Committee to take the chair,
and tl5f ..t ~ r1T
THE POLICE TO PURGE THE HALL.
Colonel William +. Hinton moved that
the building be purged.
This motion was received with noisy
talk and much applause.
The assemblage was then adjourned till
3 O'Clock this P. NJ.
! When the attempt to organize was in
progress, MI. Luck, Of Danville, took the
floor, and was addressing the chair, when
he was told by Mr.. Stovall, of Danville, to
take his seat, that be was not a delegate,
and had no right to the floor. MI. Luck
SAID, You are liar - Stovall replied,
'sY GU are damned liar p The two be-
gan to shuttle off their coats to fight it out
when friends interferred and put stop to
it,
The breaking up Of the crowd took place
admidst great confusion. Predictions and
threats were made by politicians as they
showed their way out.
AFTER RECESS.
The Convention was called to order at
2:15 P. M. by Judge Lowell. Colonel Lamb
was elected temporary chairman. After
thanking the Convention for the honor
conferred On him, he was proceeding to
discuss the question of the State debt,
when he was interrupted by Mr.. John S.
Wise, of Richmond, who desired to know
if this question was open for discussion.
Colonel Lamb ruled him out of order, and
continued to speak to the question of re-
pudiation, when great confusion arose,
and amid cries Of ''order," Ego on" "sit
down." &C., Mr.. Wise again took the floor.
and said: 'We have heard as much of your
speech 'as we want to hear" Colonel
Lamb attempted to go on III spite of the
clamor, but his voice was drowned in the
noise, misses, cat-calls, and general confa-
sion throughout the house. Amid this
riot, Mr.. Hinton made point Of order"
asking if it was proper for the temporary
chairman to discuss questions that would
probably come up before the meeting. Be-
fore any decision could be made, Mr. Wise
rose and said he would promise absolute
silence if the chair would promise not to
take this opportunity to discuss this ques-
ton. Col. Lamb replied II did not seek
this position; but OF sustaining the credit
of my native State.'' (Cries of ''peelers, Z"
s'sit down. and renewed disorder.) And
Colonel Lamb took his seat.
Mr.. Riddlebarger then objected to occu-
plying a position in the second tier with
his delegation.
Captain John J. Wise made a motto
that the delegates from the Third Congress
sional district adjourn to Holidays head
quarters for the purpose Of selecting their
members of the Committees on Permanent
Organization, Credentials, &c.
This ,as opposed with great noise by the
Daniel men, as they claimed that the meet
ing had already been held. 4
Captain Wise, and other Malone men,
said that proper notice had not been given
to the Malone Delegates
Then wild row ensued, and disgrace
full personalities, &c., were freely INDUCED
in.
1t was thought that some of the promi-
nent delegates would 'come together
with fists. But they didn't. The Malone
men claimed that the committee was pack
ed and they didn't intend to submit. The
motion was carried and the Third district
retired,
Mr.. Mike Glennan, Daniel delegate
from Norfolk, wanted leave of absence
for the Second district delegates. He
mo do 81 Gnrv onooob Fin.I1lu hic motion