The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-12-10
THE READJUsTERs..
A Difference OF Opinion and q Decided
y'.} 1855 Split. :. = ~ =. .S.a

Adherence OF Opinion and q Decided
t'a' .a.tS 800 Split. {. !. "a .5sa
. ..--------- --------r - f-f IS. s1-al
A CALL FOR A MEETING OF READJUsTERS
AND WHAT FoLLoWED-THE EQUITABLE
READJUsTERs MUSTER IN FORCE-MR.
BARBOUR AND HIS FOLLOWERS RETIRE
FROM THE HALL. AND GO TO- THE Ex-
CHANGE, WHERE THEY HOLD A SECRET
CAUCU+A sURE-ENouGH BREACH. i,r *
9'i.:::.-.. s:s ----:----s;ffs ------: -----s;fs < -
Saturday, Just after the adjournment of
each house OF the General Assembly, and
before the members had dispersed. the Clerk
read a call for q meeting OF the reSdiusters,
to be held in the hall of the House at q
o'clock. Shortly before 8 O'Clock that night
the hall was crowded. There were present
members of both branches and both parties,
together numbering about one huE-
dred and twenty-five, and many spec
tators. Senator C. T. Smith, Of Mel
son-the time fixed for the conference hav-
ing passed and no motion towards organi-
zation having been made-called the assem-
bIy to order and nominated for chairman
Senator Quesenberry, OF Caroline. The
question was put by Mr.. Smith, and de-
clared carried.
At that moment Mr.. Barbour, advancing
up the middle aisle nearly to the Clerks
desk, behind which Mr.. Smith stood, de-
manded to be heard. He said that he had
enaeayored to gain tue attention OF 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 tkat this was intended to
be an adjourned meeting OF readlusters;
that it was called according to agreement
by the chairman OF the readiusters' 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 oD-
struct their business.
... WHO IS BOSS HERE?
Mr.. Harrison, of Sussex, said that this
meeting was called upon lis notice. 1t was
intended to be not caucus Of the Conser-
ystive party, but meeting OF the Conser-
vative readiusters Of the House and the
members of the Senate entertaining the
same views. It was conference OF the
Simon-pure readiusters, and it was his pro-
vince to call it to order, the first conference
having adjourned subject to his call.
Senator Smith claimed to be a readiuster;
elected by his people rs such, and honestly
believing that the public debt OF Virginia
ought to and could be readiusted.
Hr. Harrison said that it was understood
Mr.. Smith was elected as trimmer; that
is, that he was q readiuster just to get
elected.
Mr.. Smith warmly replied that it was un-
derstood no such a thing; that his opinions
were we'll known and everywhere freely
expressed, and that he was elected by peo-
Pile OF all parties without opposition.
WANTED, CHAIRMAN.
Mr.. Smith: Senator Qucsenberry [who,
by the way, is unquestionably readiuster1
has been elected chairman; he will please
come forward and take this seat.
Mr.. Quesenberry: Under the circum-
stances I certainly decline to do so.
Mr.. Smith: Then I nominate Speaker
Allen.
The Speaker (who was on the floor: I
most positively decline.
Mr.. Smith: Then DR.. Moffett.
Mr.. Mofett didn't accept.
Mr.. Smith: Then nominate MIR. Bar
bour.
Mr.. Barbour: No, sir. Mr.. Harrison only
cQ0 COLL CulS ueeCluS W oIuel.
Mr.. Barbour then went on to explain
that on Tuesday evening there had been
meeting of readiusters OF the House at the
exchange Hotel, and that that meeting ad-
iourned subject to the call Of the chairman ;
that the chairman had reconvened the con-
ference, and invited the members OF the
Senate in sympathy with the movement to
participate None others, he declared, had
the right to be present.
ALL READJUsTERs.
General Anderson: We are all readjust-
ers. Who are not? ..
Mr. Barbour: hope you are or that you
soon may be, for while the lamp holds out
to burn the yilest sinner may return.
Laughter But surely you know our po'
sition. l sincerely hope that gentlemen
who do not mean to act with us have moi
come here to disturb our proceedings.
MIR. Ashton: How can you tell who are
and who are not readiusters until we have
had the opportunity OF exchanging views
adjuster? f...
Mr. Ashton :, All OF US were. i.
Mr.. Barbour: saw that the newspapers
called some readjusters and some not.
Somebody suggested that the newspapers
couldn't settle that point.
Mir. Barbour went on to say that Mr.. Har.
rison should be allowed to manage the meet.
Ing, and that after Mr.. Harrison had called
it to order he. (Harrison) could hear any mo-
tions proper to be made. +'..,
MIR, Smith contended that he had as much
right to call the meeting to order as Mr.
Harrison. ~.....-... 80
Sharp words passed between Messrs
Smith and Harrison. Both gentlemen
showed pluck and spirit, and expressed
their peculiar views in short and decided
phrases.
Mr.. Paul thought he could end all thi
discussion. He stated how the first caucus
was organized; how they adjourned, ant
what sort OF readjusters should take part.
Somebody moved that the meeting nd
iourn. ...s 8. -.
the meeting has never been organized.
call was then made for the Simon-pur
reAdiusters to retire to the Exchange Hotel
and as they went out great disorder relgnet
in the hall.
sECEssIoN-HoLDING THE FORT. " .a
Mr.. Smith, who had all along held th
chair. now mounted the clerks desk ant
said: ,.. .a--Fa..
rise - nlsses'J
AIR. Smith When you hiss me down yol
hiss down the great Conservative party. +.
beg the conference.-the readiusters-to re
main in their seats and not permit them
selves to be bulldozed.
General Anderson [Louldlyl: All Wh'
are not forcible readjusters Will please re
main here. ..us.
The Senate then nominated for, chairman
Mr.. Brooke, Of Fauquier, an unequlvoca
readjuster, he explained.
MIR. Brooke was elected, but did not com
to the front, if, indeed, he was in the hall.