The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-05-24


The expected has happened. Disguised
with the methods Which have made the
Republicans OF Virginia blush for he or
ganization with which they We're al led.
the self respecting men of the party have
thrown off the yoke of "a despOtic petty
boss and stand free to day to battle for
their principles.
The Republican State Convention met
at Petersburg on Thursday last. On the
night preceding, large number of dele
gates arrived and pretty soon the hotel ac-
Communications of the city were taxed to
their utmost. From the first it could
plainly be seen that trouble was brewing.
The headquarters of the Mahoneites WAS
at the private residence of the General,
whilst the opponents of the unit rule and
present plan of organization had secured
the use of the Armory building. spacious
hail. capable of sealing 500 or 1000 people.
On Wednesday night both places were
crowded. the Mahoneltes gathering around
their oracle to receive instructions for the
following day. The anti Mahoneites assem-
bled at the hall to listen to speeches and
consult as to the plan of organization. The
latter meeting was one of the largest and
most enthusiastic gatherings of Republi>
cans ever assembled IN the State. 1t was
presided over by Gen1 G.. V. Groner, of
Norfolk, with Mr.. G. G. Clarke. as secre.
tary Senator Riddleeerger was the first
speaker, and was followed by Hon. Jn0. S.
Wise. Ex-Gov. Cameron, Hon. j. Yost,
Col. W. e. Pendleton and others. The
speeches were earnest but temperate. deal
ing principally with the objections to the
present plan of organization, and demand
ing that the wishes of the people should be
consulted in the selection Of their repre-
Sentatives. In the course of his remarks
Mr.. W Use paid high compliment to Sena-
tor Sherman, the mention of whose name
was received with loud applause.
A moment or two afterwards the speaker
referred to the probable nomination of
Blaine, and the large audience rose almost
to a man, and cheered in the widest man.
ner. 1t was sometime ere Mr.. Wise could
proceed with his speech, SO intense was
the enthusiasm for the man from Maine.
At the close Of the meeting business
committee of twenty five was selected,
which continued in session until far into
the morning.
Meanwhile it had been announced on the
street that no one would be admitted TO
the convention on the morrow. except
such delegates as were certified to Malone
by his county chairmen. There were be-
tween 40 and l20 contested seats, but in
each case, with one observation-disclosures
the Malone representatives were &C
corded admission, whilst those opposed to
the little General, were assigned to seats
in the gallery or graciously permitted to
walk the streets. Even when there were
uncontested anti Malone representatives
| they were denied adm;ttance. This was
especially the case with Hon. J. Yost. In
his own county he had been elected at the
head of both the Malone and anti Malone
delegations. Subsequently, however. to
| the meetings, his name had been stricken
| from the first list by MahOMe's chairman
without the knowledge or consent Of the
people who claimed to have selected the
ticket. and the name OF another subStltu'
ted. He also held the uncontested proxy
| for the county OF Highland, duly certified
! by the chairman of the county committee
and by the officers of the county conven-
tion. Upon this last, Mr.. Y ost demanded
the right Of the floor, but it was denied
| him until, as explained further on. the
convention itself recognized the justice OF
the demand.
In the case of the Richmond delegation
the Hon. j. S. Wise being the chairman
for the city, certified the regularly elected
delegates. who stood upon the rolls until
displaced by the outrageous action OF the
District meeting.
THE CONVENTION.
The Opera House, in which the conven
tiOn met, is a spacious building, with {
series of galleries rising above the first
floor almost to the roof. On the mar
! floor was seated the principal delegates
for the white sections, those representing
the 9TH, 9Th, 9th, and 10th Districts. Ir
the galleries were the delegates for thu
lower part of the State.
At 1890 General Malone called the con
vention to order. AS he did so. some ont
proposed three cheers for Blaine, which
were given with a will, as were afterwards
cheers for Sherman and others.
Finally when order had been restored
General Malone commenced his address
He had proceeded but little way, whel
Hon. Jno. S. Wise interrupted him will
the statement that Hon. Jacob \ Ost, ;
Republican member OF Congress from
Virginia, and delegate from the count!
of Augusta, holding also an uncontestei
proxy from the county of Highland, ha(
been denied admission to the floor
and moved that Mr. Yost be admitted
Mr.. Riddleberger, who occupied sea
on the floor. said that not only had Mr.
| Y ost but he also and his whole delegation
been denied admittance.
His further remarks were drowned il
the confusion which followed.
Captain Wise: II took the liberty of in
terrupting you. Mr.. Chairman. for thu
sake of peace, for l understand that thu
exclusion of Mr.. YOst is Occasi0ning SOM
feeling" [Cries of Question, Question:
The audience had become very noisy
and General Malone held up his hand in
siencing sort of way and said: Let NJ,
say just here that there is not privileged
| fhof If. onn
one did it unauthorized"
A member from the First district: {"
move that the Chair extend a privileged
ticket 10 Mr., Y ost, and that COMMITTEE
be'-
[Deafening cries of mo! No!'1
General Malone: "Order. gentlemen
We wish to proceed orderly"
A quarrel here occurred in the CALLER
between two men, which resulted in on,
being put out.
General Malone: The call for this con
vention provides how delegates shall b
certified. [ undertake to say no dele
gates"-
Mr.. Riddleberger: Twill you let me tax
the liberty OF say
[Cries of "Sit downl'' "Order!'' ''Shu
up!" &c.
The hubbub lasted for fully minute
during which the Senator stood quletl
with his arms akimbo and his throat sti
encircled by the white handkerchief h
had worn the night before.
w. F. Giddings. of Chesterfield fron
the gallery: rMr. Chairman, there are n
party rights or privileges that would admi
The member on the floor.''
Mr.. HUBBARD, of Buckingham (whO sa
near Senator Riddleberger): Il think, MI
Chairman, that the Interruptions of tn
speaker ty various parties in the house ar
exceedingly dscourteOus.
Senator Riddleberger made some repl
which the noise and confusion prevented
any body from hearing, and for severa
minutes Mr.. Hubbard and the Senate
talked back and shook their fists at eac
other in very excited manner.
General Malone, continuing: Proceed
ing as shall to submit SUCH information
consider proper and such as my dut
imposes, l will make temporary organi
zatiOn, and then your motions to invit
gentlemen to privileged seats on the foo
will be in order"
He then proceeded with his speech wher
he had broken off. When finished Captain
Wise again said, 81 now move that MI
Y ost be admitted"
Colonel Lamb, of Norfolk, the Temporal
Chairman, came forward and said: els i
the pleasure of the convention that MI
!; Yost be admitted? When the temporar
organization is about to be made nothin
else is in order"
Captain wise: Courtesy is always il
| Or6or -