Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-12-18
For the SPECTATOR
Letter from Richmond.

RICHMOND, VA, Dec. 18th, 1877.
MEssRs. EDITORS "A few words
from this metropolis may be of interest
to your readers, especially as the Legis-
lature has again convened, and the re-
suits of their labors looked for with in
terest by a confiding constituency
About one-half of the Senate is COM
posed of new members and about FIVE
sixths of the House. The new men,
bers. feeling the natural embarrassment
produced for want of experience, have
some of them been led, by active and
experienced leaders, to adopt an exclu-
sive and factious course in the organiza-
ton of the House, and in their secret
meetings in relation to the State debt
Some Of their leaders boldly declare
that they have the power and intend to
use it in the management of the public
business. They seem to struggle for the
mastery, rather than to harmonic con-
flicting views and remove prejudice
There is little doubt but that there is a
large majority of the members of the
General Assembly who would favor a
fair and honorable settlement of the pub
lie debt, if the lead for 'forcible adjust
ers" were abandoned. Almost nightly
secret caucuses are held and managed
by leaders, who seem determined and
somewhat excited. But their efforts
to solve the debt problem upon their
plans and principles, must soon develop
a failure, and then il is to be hoped that
many who have been deceived will
think and act for themselves. The
conservative portion of the members
have held public meeting and COM
pared views freely and frankly, which
promises well but the necessity for
harmony and unity of action on the
Spart of all is SO deeply felt, to give
confidence and stability to any prop
osition to be submitted to the cred
itors, that they have proposed to and
earnestly invited the secret caucus men
to join in open meeting in a free and
friendly interchange of opinion. A
few of that party are manifesting a dis
position to adopt more prudent coun-
sells; but the ultra leaders seem to fear
that their ayocation will Ee gone if the
secret conclave is abandoned.
A meeting was attempted last night
to organize the Conservative party in
the General Assembly. All Conserva-
tives, who were not elected as Indepen-
dents, were invited to attend but those
who call themselves "Simon pure Re-
adjusters" were disinclined to unite in
an organization, because those elected
as Independents were excluded. With
the latter in the meeting, they hoped
to control its action; without the indie
pendents they must be in minority
Thus tho meeting proved boisterous,
and q large portion failed or Refused to
enroll themselves in the meeting. Every
effort to assure the extremists that the
meeting was called in the interest of
Cancellation was repealed by expressions
Of jealousy, doubt and suspicion. The in
vitation is still extended to regular Con-
servatives to enroll themselves and act
in the party meetings. 1t was distinctly
declared, by resolution, that no ques-
ton of legislation should be acted on in
the party meeting, but only subjects af-
fecting the party organization.
The business of tile two houses has
been fairly and favorably begun. There
is strong disposition to retrench and
economize manifested at present, which
ii is hoped will be made effective.
The Governors message is regarded a
very fine state paper, and it is hoped will
be read and preserved for reference.
Of course, the ultra nlen do not like
the message, but would have been re-
joiced if the debt had been stated at a
much larger sum and that there was no
hope to pay it, ip Order TO Justify them
selves I'D their ealIrs (.
i There are quite iArgs number OF
strangers. in the city attending the
Grand Lodge Of Masons. The Hot tells
are lively and the price of produce a
tie advanced. The marks OF the fres
are rapidly disappearing and busin
resuming its VOTED cha .neis. Th
is very consideraL.o shipping ia port,
and the business of the C. g. o. Railroad
brisk. Richmond must be a great city.
Yours, &C., OBSERVER.