Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-06-03

RICHMOND, June 2.-The Readjuster State
convention met here to-day with full rep
reseutation from the cities and counties of
the Safe. The delegates numbered over
1OO, and included about IS colored men,
The convention assembled in the Rich
mond Theatre, and was called to order
at l2:3O p. m: by General stith
Boiling, of Petersburg, who, acting in
the absence Of Gen. Malone, Chairman of the
State Central Committee, announced that
Hon. John Paul, member of Congress, had
been selected as temporary Chairman. He
then introduced Mr.. Paul, who, upon
taking the chair, briefly addressed the con-
Vention. His remarks were received with
great applause. Committees on creden-
tisls and permanent organization were then
appointed, after which a recess was taken
till 2:3O.
Upon reassembling the Committee on
Permanent Organization reported. recon-
mending Hon. John Paul, of Rockingham.
for permanent President, together with one
Vice President from each Congressional dis
trict, and P. H. Mccall, OF Pulaski. for Sec
retary. The report was unanimously sdop-
ted. A committee of twenty-seven, three
from each district, was appointed on resolu-
tions and platform. At this point General
Mahone's presence at the back part of the
stage became known, and Immediately
yoeiferOus calls were made for
him to address the convention.
All efforts to bring the body to
order failing, the President called for
General Malone to respond to the call.
As soon as he rose from his chair to come
forward the whole convention with one
accord rose to their feet, and greeted him
with laundering ovation of shouts, yplls,
waving of handkerchiefs and fans. This
deafening applause and manifestation of
pleasure continued for several minutes.
General Malone meanwhile standing at the
front OF the stage apparently deeply touched
by this overwhelming reception.
When order had been restored General
Malone spoke in effect as follows:
l greet you, my friends and fellow citi-
xeDs, with my most earnest compliments.
and l beg to assure you of the supreme
qualification which l have at this assem-
blage Of my fellow citizens. 1t fills the
measure Of my loyal ambition to this peo-
pie and to this State. It testifies to me in
words Of warmth, which 1 will never forget,
your approval of my public conduct. IL
doubly assures me that there exists yet in
the bosoms of this people a true
hCfOAAOn " 0tACI6Outdu DrtQclDleS OF
government. It assures me that the
people of this State in their might and SOW
ereign power are here to say to the States
of this Union that the State Is to be put in
cordial relations with the government. 1t
assures me that In future ber fate and that
of her people are to be identical, and that
her march is to be for freedom and progress
iu this land. It assures me that freedom
of opinion is to be the rule in all matters
which relate to men.
You sent me to the national capital as
your representative, chosen without solicit
tation on my part, except the personal re-
spODsibility of my earliest devotion to serve
this people wherever they saw ft to put me-
No sooner was | called to the capital to an
swer for you than policy OF terrorism was
put in practice to silence your representa-
tive. would be recreant to my manhood did
| rot maintain that | was there to voice the
manhood Of this people; there to oppose
the Democratic Bourbonism which attempt
ed to dictate to the Readiuster party of this
State !; and not there to do the bidding of
men claiming to be the Democratic party,
but who would throttle free opinion and a
free ballot. l want no more of that De-
mocracy. You are here to give effect to
equal rights, free ballot and an honest
State government and to support
the present system of public
education. You are here to say to your
representatives In Congress that they must
represent the true interests OF the people
of this State, and not to represent Demo
cratic Bourbon caucus. You are here to
free those people from Bourbon domfna-
tion,l and to lift the blight of Bourbon
Democracy which has set in upon US. You
are to restore the old State and her people
to the most cordial relations with all the
people of our common country, and to put
an end to sectional contests, aud obliterate
race distinctions.
General Malone concluded by advising
harmony and urging that to WhomsOever
they gave their banner they should stand by
him TO a man in the great fight, which is to
be made for their freedom and for the free
dom Of their posterity. During the delivery
of bis speech the General was frequently in
terrupted by applause, which at times was
so great that he was forced to suspend en-
tirely, and at its close he was again the re-
clpient of another great outburst Of enihusi.
asm. This was followed by the introduc-
tiOn Of a resolution endorsing General
Mahone's course in the United States Sen
ate, which was adopted unanimously.
The Committee on Credentials submitted
their report, which, after some exciting de-
bate over the contestipg delegations from
Lynehburg, was adopted.
The Committee on Resolutions next rt-
pDElcu dILer
being read, was adopted amid considerable
applause.
The convention then proceeded to make
nominations for State officers, beginning
with that for Governor. For this office the
following were put in nominations: John E.
Massey, OF Albermsrle, the present State
Auditor, Col. Vim. E. Cameron, Mayor of
Petersburg, and Gen. V. d. Groner, of Nor
folk.
The nominating speeches occupied tie
time until 7:30 p. m. when a recess for an
hour was taken, and when the convention
reassembled the speaking was resumed IN
seconding the nominations of the four men,
toned. This might have continued for hours
but for the timely interposition and adoption
of a resolution limiting seconding speeches
to five minutes each, and only one to each
candidate. The convention commenced bal
loting at 9:35 p. m. The first ballot resulted:
Cameron .....,-.........-'' -'''..'........S .SI1
Massey. Observation-Disclosures. 234
GrCner. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. "a
Wise. lSl
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