Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-12-11
Meeting of Re-adjusters- Secession from
the Meeting.

Saturday, just after the adjournmen
of each house Of the General Assembly,
and before the members had dispersed
the Clerk read call for meeting of
the re adjusters, to be held in the hall
of the House at y O'Clock. Shortly be-
fore O'Clock that night the hall was
crowded. There were present members
of both branches and both parties, to-
gether numbering about one hundred
and twenty-five, and many spectators.
Senator G. T.. Smith, of Nelson-the
time fixed for the conference having
passed and no molten towards organi-
zation having been made-called the as
sembly to order and nominated for
chairman Senator Q enberry, of Car
oline. The question was put by Mr..
Smith and declared carried.
At that moment Mr.. Barbour, ad
vancing up the middle aisle nearly to
the Clerks desk, behind which Mr..
Smith stood, demanded to be heard
He said that he had endeavOred to gain
the attention af Mr.. Smith before the
vote was taken, but had failed. His
purpose was to demonstrate against
any such proceedings as had taken
place, and to say that this was intended
to be an adjourned meeting of read
justers; that it was called according to
agreement By the chairman of the re-
adjusters' former meeting held at the
Exchange Hotel on Tuesday evening !;
that Mr.. Harrison, of Sussex, was that
man, and the proper party to call the
conference to order; and that he hoped
the gentlemen not in sympathy with
the cause would not Interfere with or
obstruct their business. M f
Mr.. Harrison, OF Sussex, said that
this meeting was called upon his notice.
1t was intended to be not caucus of
the Conservative party, but meeting
of the Conservative re-adjusters of the
House and the members of the Senate
entertaining the same views. 1t was a
conferference of the Simon pure read
justers, and it was his province to call
it to order, the first conference having
adjourned subject to his call.
Senator Smith claimed to be read
juster, elected by his people as such,
and honestly believing that the public
debt of Virginia ought to and could be
re-adjusted.
Mr.. Smith requested Senator Cues
enberry, who had been elected chair
man, to take his seat, but he DECLARED
that, under the circumstances, he would
not do so. He then nominated sue
cessively Speaker Allen, DR.. Moffett,
and James Barbour, who all declined to
act, the latter declaring that Harrison
only had the right to call that meeting
to order. After considerable sparring
and excitement, some one moved to ad
,journ, but Mr.. Smith said tn meeting
could not adjourn. because it had not
been organized.
A call was then made for the Simon
pure re adjusters to retire to the Elk
change Hotel, and as they went out
great disorder reigned in the hall.
The seceders met in the old billiard
room and were called to order by Mr..
Harrison. Mr.. Fulkerson was elected
permanent chairman, and Messrs. Rob-
inson of Norfolk and McCaull of Pu-
laski were chosen secretaries. The pro
ceedings were private and the members
OF the Press excluded.
After the withdrawal of the secaders.
those who remained organized by the
election of Senator G. T. Smith as
chairman and Mr.. Hairston vs secre-
tary.
Mr.. Brooke of Fauquier said that he
was greatly perplexed to know what
course to persue. He was a read
ulster and had been invited. there
to meet other readiusters, and knowing
that there we're several Specifications of