The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-12-07

| The General Assembly will meet Of -
O'Clock NJ. to-day in regular bienniaD ses-
( sion.
/ The Readiuster caucus met in the hall Of
( the House Of Delegates last night at 7s
O'Clock, in accordance with an announce
ment from headquarters. A full attend
ance was noticeable, and the brethren were
promptly OH hand at the appointed time.
/ The caucus was organized by the election
OF Mr.. II. G. Wood, Of Scott county, as
chairman. and Mr. Thomas II. Cross, OF Nam
| semOnd, as secretary.
! Outside Of the hall a curious crowd OF
| lobbyists were gathered, and the look OF
eager expectancy on their features told
plainly that they were hanging their hopes
/ upon the action OF friends within, and eX-
pected to receive reward in the shape OF
/ office OF some sort or other.
! Ina very little while it became evident
that some would be subjected to disap-
! pointment. and then the listener could hear
! deep growing from those smarting under
| the effect of disappointment. The rotunda
of thc Capitol echoed 10 the tread OF this
expectant crowd Of office-seekers, COM
posed of white and black, old and young
/ people, eX-members Of the Legislature, and
men mighty in the Readiuster world.
Personal.
Parson Massey, serene and smiling,
moved about among his friends, evidently
with an idea 10 his interest as a candidate
for the United States Senate, a6d 1t was
given ont in this connection that the caucus
which is TO settle this matter would not
be held until some time next week, pre-
sumably on Monday. Edgar Allan was
also present. Ex-senator j. II. Stoyalli
Robert Campbell, Of Fauquicr; ID. ii. Pan
Mill. of Pittsylvania; Peter McBatte, sheriff
Of Prince George county: Colonel Brady,
OF Petersburg; Mr.. Hughes, clerk OF
Mecklenburg County Court. and numbers
OF other prominent white ReadiusterS were
active in furthering the claims OF friends
who thought they were worthy OF Official
hOnors.
COLORED TROOPS.
The colored troops were out in force.
and it was q marked fact that during the
early deliberations Of the caucus these faith
| full followers OF the cause Of readlustment
displayed more activity as lobbyists than
the whites.
| Lead-penciIs were in demand, and dirty
scraps Of paper, drawn from the dark
depths Of singular pockets, were produced
in abundance, and upon these, as they
rested against the walls OF the Capitol, were
scrawled messages to friends in the caucus.
FOR PETER CARTER.
Colonel J. III. Hill (colorcd), doorkeeper
of the Senate at its last session, was pre-
sent. and threw his influence in favor OF
Peter j. Carter, Of northampton, for his
old place, not wanting the position himself:
Numerous small boys from the colored
fraternity were also present, pressing their
claims for positions as pages, to which.
also. a hali-dozen or more bright-eycd
white boys aspIred.
ORATORY.
| Time waned and nothing definite was
heard from the inside, and the crowd III
the rotunda grew restless. BY and by Mr..
| Cross came out, looking worried, and II
/ was learned that some OF the members in
side were opposing the work OF the caucus
! bv too-plentiful indulgence in speech
making. Nothing could be done, no
motion made, that did not bring
forth display Of oratory. Pres
emily a well-known Readjuster rushed
ont of the hall. and as he passed
exclaimed, "I'll go for a man that can stop
him." Perhaps he had reference to Gene
raj Malone, who, il was understood, was
/ in a cafe near, where every now and then
me received intimation as to the progress OF
affairs at the caucus, and dispatched such
commands as the exigencies OF the ease
seemed to demand.
AT THE DOOR.
Mr.. w. +. Pumphrey kept the inside
door to the hall, and divided the honors OF
the position Of doorkeeper with James II.
Harris, colored man from Richmond; The
Iatter's duty confnlng him to the outside
| door.
ORGANIZATION.
The following Senate officers were nomI-
mated: =,
President pro tem.: General Wyatt VI.
Elliott, of AppomattoX.
! Clerk: c. II. Causey, Of Nansemond.
Sereeant-at-A Arms: Ex-senator William
A. French, of Giles.
Doorkeeper: Peter j. Carter (colored),
OF northampton.
For the House OF Delegates:
speaker: l. c. Fowler, OF Washington
county.
Clerk p. II. McCaull, Of Pulaski.
Sergeant-at-Arms: w. Frank Pum-
phrev, OF Hanover.
First Doorkeepcr: c. II. l.. Harris (co-
lored), of Norfolk city.
Second Doorkeeper: }. ". Southwark
OF Henrico.
Adjourned at midngh'.