The Russellville Democrat., 1881-06-16
Virginia Readiu.ters

The Readjusters of Virginia have been in State Convention at Richmond and have made ticket was devoted to ballots.
 The ' lrd ballot was as follows: Groner sl4, Camero.., 29l Massey, 257 Wise, SS.
 number of votes were cast for RIddleberger wnich were subsequently changed at the instance Of that gentleman, who briefly addressed the convention, thanking the delegates who had complimented him. At the same time, he said he thought 1t well understood he was not a can. didate and his name was not to be Considered. He hoped his friends would feel themselves re. heved or any and all obligations to support him. lowest candidate on each successive ballot, and that the candidate so dropped shall not be re. nominated until one ballot intervenes
 This gave rise to an excited debate, which, amid great confusion, was put an end to by the main question being ordered, after which the resolution was adopted by an overwhelming ma jority.
 At this point several delegations fayorinp the nomination Of Gen. Groner asked leave to with draw for few minutes for conference. Grant ed, and business was temporarily suspended.
 upon the return of Groners friends balloting was resumed, the fourth ballot showing a steady gain for Massey. Before the vote was announced 2 number Of slight changes were made, mainly then changed it's solid vote of twelve from Wise to Cameron. This was received with prolonged applause. Change followed change in rapid sue confusion which attended these changes the friends of Massey and Groner asked leave to re- tire TOT consultation. No attention was paid to the request and the confusion continued to in- crease. While 1t was at its height Gen. Mahone appeared before the convention, and, as usual, was greeted with laundering applause. In an in stant order was restored, and he pleaded for har- mony and begged fair play be shown, and that delegations who wish to retire might be allowed to do so, and that the proceedings be suspended in their absence. No further objection being made, the Massey and Grover men left the build ing. Upon their return the Secretary proceeded to call the roll over for changes. When about half the counties had been called it became evi- dent, from the numerous changes in favor of Cameron. that his nomination was fixed fact.
 At this point Massey put in an appearance, and was greeted with great applause. He said he feelings akin to those of his friends in the con vention, and apologized for any liberties he may take in addressing them. The cause of readjust- ment in Virginia was his cause He had nurtured 1t in its infancy and fostered it in its youth bat tied with 1t in It's manhood, and would not desert 1t in it's old age What he had done was for the cause of Virginia and her people, and now, rather than see his cause jeopardized by any dissenson among the representative men of the party, he was willing to sacrifice everything of a personal nature for the further advancement ot party interest. His friends had stood firmly b. him, and he hoped they would now follow him They might not have the leader they desired but they should be willing to do everything for har. mony. and he hoped they would as one man, vote to make the nomination of Col Cameron unanimous
 A tremendous outbust of applause greeted this spcccu, huu, tic qucStlOn DelIiB put, lt was car ried without a dissenting vote.
 Wm. K. Cameron. the nominee, was born in Petersburg. November 29, l842. and IS descended from one of the oldest families in Virginia on his mothers side, from Wm Byrd, of the great West over estates. Cameron is now serving his third term as mayor of Petersburg, the city of Ma homes residence. He entered the Confederate army when mere youth, and rose rapidly to Adjutant General of the brigade in which Ma hone laid the foundation of his military repu- tation, and thus began the intimacy between Cameron and Mahone Alter the war Cameron took an active interest in the politics of his native State and though young became one of the most prominent members of the conservative party of Virginia, and he made himself conspicu- ous by his opposition to what was known as the Radical Republican party. Drifting into jour nalism. he became editor of the Petersburg Appeal, and was soon involved in an editorial controversy with MT. Robert w. Hughes, then editor Of the Republican organ the Sdte Jo1lr1sdl They fought duel in 1879, in which Cameron was shot through the belly Until the spllt in the Conservative party, caused by the defeat of Malone in the Gubernatorial Convention of 1877, at which time Cameron went with Malone, he was prominent member ot the Conservative party. He was active in endeavorng to secure the election of William A. Hinton, the unsuccess- ful Conservative nominee for Congress against Jos. Jorgensen, the present incumbent. Came ron's position on the debt question is embodied in the Riddleberger bill, which puts the State debt at S20000,O00 as against the debt-payers estimate of 3,090000. The nominee has been reporter, correspondent and editor since the war, and Is of poet and musician.