Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1877-12-11
Our Richmond Letter.
RICHMOND, Dec. G, 1877

arrived here in company with
moderate number of the 8. w. mem.
bers last Monday evening, after te-
dious journey by rail. Our train was
the first through one after the flood
The damage in Roanoke and Bote.
tourt has been very great. From Sa-
lem to Blue Ridge the adjacent bot
toms are almost destroyed and the
road fearfully damaged. B | ow
Lynchburg the destruction is fearful
to behold. The river is being trestled
temporarily, and the hands wade
wnist-deep in the cold water at every
step of progress. The gap was mile
and half as we passed down, but is
being rapidly closed up.
THE OPENING OF THE LEGISLATURE
has been attended with great excite
ment, which is by no means yet al
Isyed.
On Monday the Funders and Read
justerI wrestled over preliminary
ground in manouvers for control of
the House. The Speaksrship was
deemed the key to success, and the
friends OF the Funding Bill, marshall
cd by skillful leaders, under the ban
ner of Marshall Hanger, were indie
iatigable in their efforts. Everything
depended on electing him, and if
Hanger was lost, all was lost. So they
reasoned. There was a moderate or
middle class who undertook to cham
pion Col. Bocock, who. though fun
der, was very popular, and was one OF
the finest presiding officers in the
Union. He was believed to be willing
to make reasonable, liberal conces-
sions to the Readjusters. The latter
were much at seq. They had strength
enough pledged before the people. If
their men could be organized and held
steady under fire, and the fire was
certainly heavy.
Col. Fauntleroy. Of Winchester,
Mai. McMullin, of Greene, DR.. Mof-
felt, of RockingtOn, and Judge Allen,
Of Shenandoah, were urged. The day
passed, and there was no decision.--
The Funders became confident, and
the Bocock men went to Hanger.
A caucus of the Readjusters was
held at 8 D. M, and Judge Allen was
placed in nomination by DR.. Mofiett.
Mr.. Fowler, in a speech, seconded the
nomination. Maj. McMullen came
CALAMITY TO the support of Allen, and
the caucus unanimously agreed upon
him. The Read usters at once repair
ed to the general conservative caucus
1,t the Capitol and DR.. Robinson, OF
Norfolk, was placed in the chair, with
Mr.. McCaull, of Pulaski, as secretary.
The duty of nominating Judge Allen
was allotted to Mr.. Fowler, of Wash
rington, who, when the announcement
that nominations were in order,
al once arose and placed the
name of that gentleman before the
caucus, and announced boldly that the
issHe was REIMBURSEMENT of the Public
Debt, and called on the friends of that
great movement TO remember theiI
promises to the people and face the
music. The people demanded Read
Iustment, and We could not readJust
Ivy using funders as the instruments
We could only readjust by using Re
Rdjusters as the means. He alluded to
the course of Judge Allen during the
last two years. and appealed to tho
friends from the Southwest TO vote FOL
hlm,
Mr.. Edmunds. Of Halifax, nomina
ted Maj. Hanger, OF Augusta. Speech
90 were made by Mess 8. Coghlll
Tickle, RobannOn, Henry and Echoli
In favor OF Hanger, and 10y Messrs
Barbour, PophRm, Harrissoh and
Moffett in favor Of Allen.
Mr.. Coghill decla cd 1t was mon
strous and unheArd of In the State &c
urge the election OF speaker on par
ty grounds. For the first time In Yir
BiniA such thing had been attempts
ed, and tbSS, w. members asked tC