The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-24
prrrERSBRUG.

,,,xr ny TuE GRAND boSSh hNAufs
Ap'o' ns,,~u1,s-CoNCLUDING PRoCEkpiSSa
OF rs.n cEREMoNY-PoLITlcAL cos-
",lr,p--oroASlzATIoS OF pis.,
fhnn 'ursoyurIoNs ADorTED--CAoeos,Na
~ orr,cgs--EN ROUTE fok 'AL. oN-
,,,xN1ygRsARY cELEBRAfloN-~H
MA v.uoNE REPLIES TO coLLlNsoN' &e'
..>,,dcuce Of the Richmond D,spaten,i
tCorFe>'S" FEBRUARY 23,, 1877.
H., Grand Lodge Knights OF Pythias al
III. Of late hour last night to meet In
} out, next in Portsmouth. RESOLUTIONS
e. en- hearty thanks were adopted unanimous,
W W NJ a Standing vote TO the reuring uiHna
EbsncclIor. ]. +. Rockwell, Tor the hn'snS
" and brothcrly courtcsies eStenaeo tns
,nonhers by MIN, and to the brethren any
n;,;zcns OF Petersburg for their anpouhaeu
hnsnitslitv. A resolution was aaoptea yes.
torIov aholishing the othce OF Dis'Iict
nanntr. and creating in iieu thereol s,se
ofsce az Grand Lecturer Tor the eAelhp,ih-
.,s,ion Of the unwritten work OF tue oluef.
s s,sato tS.sr i. to be chosen by and from a
. :. Of three. composed OF George
: s;n,,son. l.. L. Bass, and L. B. Allen.
Among the interesting incidents OF the
s,ss;on was the presentation to the Grand
odcc 81 beautiful pair OF gavelS made OF
,ho GOOD OF the famous and historic war
steamer Merrimac. They are handsomely
hound in silver. The presentation was
made nv Vice-Grand Chancellor w. II. Hall,
~ Norfolk, through Supreme Representa-
tive George l.. Simpson and Grand Chan
re,lor J. F. Rockwell. and were used during
the session Of the Ledge by the presiding
officer. The ceremonies attending the pre-
sentation were very interesting.
In pursuance OF the suggestion OF the
Prince Edward Club and Of the call issued
hvrthe President OF the Campaign Club OF
the Fosrth Congressional district, num-
Der Of delegates appointed from the coun-
ties composing this district assembled in this
CITY last evening 70 confer as to the best
nlau OF organization Of the Conservative
partv. About fifty delegates, representing
nearly all OF the counties OF the district,
were present, and the body was an
exceedingly able and intelligent one. The
meeting was called to order by General
Malone. who explained the objects. and
urged organization for the redemption Of
the district from Radical control. The con-
ference was in session until past midnight,
aad there was full and free and harmo-
NOUS interchange OF opinions and views on
all subjects. a plan Of organization was
adopted, and permanent club formed I'M
der the name Of "The Fourth Congress
sional District Conservative Union," with
the following officers: p. W. Mckinney, OF
Farmviilc, president; w. t. Atkins, Of
rice-presidents; J. j. Campbell, secretary !;
Edward. White, treasurer. An executive
committee OF ore from each county and one
from Petersburg was also appointed.
The conference unanimously adopted the
following resolution relative to the appor-
tionment bill now pending in the General
Assembly:
ResolUed, That in the opinion OF this con-
ference Of representatives OF the various
counties OF this (Fourth) district it will be
unwise and impolitic for the present Legis-
lature to reapportion the State, especially as
the constituencies have no opportunity OF
exercising their views on aQuestion Of such
vital Importance to their interests.
Mr.. j. A. II. st. Andrew, OF Prince Ed
ward, offered q resolution looking to the
representation in legislative caucuses OF
such counties rs were not represented" by
conservative men, vesting the authority OF
the appointment on such occasions in the
county Conservative organizations. his
was also adopted.
4 good deal Of quiet caucusing is going
on among the Republicans here relative to
the offices to be distributed by the incoming
Administration. The rtst-ofice seems to
be the chief object Of interest at this mo-
ment, and it is said there are some bali a
dozen applicants for the prize. 1t must not
be thought, however, that the other offices
are neglected. ... .,- ..-..
There arrived on foot this morning from
Richmond German named Frederick
Schele, with five children--all in rags. He
is moving his family to California, and
walked from New York to this point. The
Youngest of the children is scarcely over
three years OF age, and the Oldest, pretty
girl, not over fifteen. Their condition IS
very destitute, but they decline to beg.
They will start hence to New Orleans, but
il seercs almost impossible that such little
children can stand the long Journey before
them. They have been kindly treated, and
an effort is being made to help them at least
a part OF their way by getting tickets on
the railroads.
The bill pending in the General Assem-
bly prohibiting city councilmen or en-
ployes from becoming contractors with the
city viii, if 1t becomes law, affect some
four or five members Of our Council, who
furnish supplies Of one kind or another to
the city.
The Old Grays' Association celebrated
their forty-ninth anniversary last night
around acknowledgement anquet-table,
and many admirable speeches were made in
response to the regular toasts. . .
iIv approved, and he will be gladly well
coined back by his friends here.
Jack Peasants, who is confined for muir
der in Dinwiddie, refused to escape when
the door Of his cell was opened to him and
his companions left some days ago. The
escape Of the parties, it n DIV turns out, was
effected by the assistance OF lunatic, who
unbolted the door of their cell during the
momentary absence OF the jailer.
General Malone has just published re-
ply to John Collinson's report to the con-
solidated bondholders OF the Atlantic, Mis-
sissippi and Ohio railroad, Of date August
II, 1876. The reply is addressed to the di-
visional bondholders, and is lengthy and
exhaustive document.
Judge Wesiger, of this judicial circuits.
returned from Washington this morning,
where be appeared before the House COM
mittee and testified as to the use OF troops
in Petersburg.
Bishop Whittle will arrive in the city to-
morrow, and will administer the rite OF con-
frmation at Grace church Sunday morning
and at st. Paups church at night. / under
stand there will be quite large class at each
church.
Mr.. j. p. Fitzgerald, Of Nottoway county,
while en- route to this city last night on the
freight train, had his pocket cut while at
Burkeville, and S11 and some papers taken
from it. The act was that OF a professional
pickpocket.
We have had abundant showers to-day,
with prospect Of falling weather through
the night. il -. :. o..
The address to the Right. Hon. the Earl
OF Duffarin. or-General OF Canada.