Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-12-07
THE EX-GOVERNOR
KEMPER'S MESSAGE.

RICHMOND, DEC. 5.-The caucus of the
Conservative members of the House held
on Tuesday night was lacking in the quail
ity Of backbone like its predecessor of the
legislature of '76-7 and declined to rule out
the Independents of whom there are only
twenty. The proposition to exclude them
was strongly advocated by tall, gray
haired soldierly looking man, Gen. Ander-
son Of this city, and chiefly opposed by DR..
Moffett of the Bell Punch, the latter win
ming the fight in vote of 60 to 80 the Au-
gusta county delegates (Mr. Hanger being
absent) voting against excluding.
Judge HI. G. Allen, of Shenandoah, was
then put up for Speaker by the Adjusters
and Hon. Marshall Hanger of Augusta
was put up against him. The usual eulo-
gies were pronounced on each nominee,
but the most noticeable speakers were Hon.
James Barbour, Of Culpeper, and DR.. Moi
felt, Of Rockingham, who opposed the
election of Mr.. Hanger and W. Writ Hen
ry of Richmond and Gen. Echols Of Staun-
ton who favored it. When the vote was
taken Allen received 50 votes, Hanger 46
and Bocock 1. How loosely the caucus
was managed may be inferred from the
fact, that after the vote was announced it
was found that two Republicans had voted.
One of them withdrew his vote, but the
other declared he was not a Republican
and it was allowed to stand. The vote
that Hanger received is rather remarkable
when compared with the general belief
that the Adjusters had four ifths of the
legislature. If this is true they showed q
commendable liberality in tryingto secure
an experienced man who would have saved
the body much time and trouble during
the session. The pledge given by General
Echols on the floor that Mr.. Hanger would
equitably and honably distribute the mem
bers Of the committees according to the
sentiment of the House would, it was
thought, change many of his opponents on
the debt question and doubtless did There
was good deal of feeling about the result
and there was demand by Gen. Anderson
for another ballot on the ground that some
Republicans had voted, but Gen. Echols
having conferred with MI. Hanger, said
that gentleman wished the matter to rest
where it was.
This morning the "Whig,' the organ of
the Adjusters, in announcing the nomina-
ton of Judge Allen, said: ''This is the be-
ginning of the end, (which gave some of
the otfice-holders cold chill, especially
when it was rumored around the Capital
that the Adjusters intended making Gen.
Terry, of Bedford, clerk in place of Bigger.
When the House met at noon this subject
was all the talk and the Adjusters had also
commenced calling over the names of the
basement officers. After Judge Allen was
elected Speaker his nomination being Sc
conded by Gen. Anderson, and he receiving
every vote, except two colored Repuhli-
cans who voted for Hanger, an Adjuster
proposed to adjourn and have caucus for
the position of Clerk, but it was defeated
by vote Of SO to q. Mr.. Jno. B. Bigger,
Clerk; Maj. j. e. Hill, of Albemarle Ser
geant-at-A,m A. 3. Cottrell of Henrico,
1st Door-keeper, and A. Sullivan, of Mont
gomery I'd Door-keeper, were elected.
The Senate organized, as usual, quietly,
and made the first break at retrenchment
in getting rid of useless door-keeper's
place.
The Governors message was read in the
Legislature after the organization was
complete, and occasioned much private
discussion. hope it will be generally aid
attentively read. His suggestions Oh re-
trenchment are particularly deserving al,
hot !,
mends the abolition of the present and the
restoration of tie old county court system.
Z. e. M.