The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-05-18
VIRGINIA REPUBLICANS.
A Lively Convention Held at
Petersburg Yesterday.
AN oyATlON TO GEN. MAHONE.
Cheers for Blaine, Sherman, the Unit
Rule and the Republican Party.
The fractional Troubles.
A Hopeless Split.

I
to the Republican State Convention be-
gan to gather in the Academy Of Music
just before noon and promptly at that
hour, the building being about two
thirds full, Gen. Malone came upon the
rear OF the stage from the entrance. His
appearance was the signal for an outburst
of applause, which the General, however,
failed to notice. A few minutes after
that John S. Wise, the leader Of the op-
position to Mahone's unit rule, appeared
in that part OF the dress circle allotted
to the Third district, and was also greet
ed with applause. A noticeable feature
Of the convention was the great increase
in the number Of white delegates, some
Of the districts being almost entirely
represented by them.
At 1890 o'clock Gen. Malone stepped
to the front of the stage and was greeted
with tremendous and enthusiastic ap-
plause, which continued several min
utes and which was interspersed with
rounds upon rounds Of cheers for Blaine,
Sherman, the unit rule, the Republican
party, etc. When quiet had been re-
stored Gen. Malone, after acknowledge
ing the compliment, proceeded to ad-
dress the convention.
In the afternoon session reports from
several districts were read. When the
Seventh district was reached it appeared
that there were two delegations claim
ing recognition OF the convention and
thereupon an uproar ensued, during
which the friends OF both sides seemed to
vie with each other in trying to see which
could make the most noise. Two hours
were spent in thiswa when the matter
was postponed until the Committee on
Credentials should be formed. This ac-
ton excluded the Seventh district from
having voice in that committee. Two
other delegations then reported, leaving
only one, the Third, to hear from, that
delegation being still in separate session
and the members wrangling among
themselves. A recess was taken until
o'clock, and the committees on creden-
tials, organization and business will
meanwhile prepare reports.
The Third district delegates remained
in continuous convention from $50 till
9p. m., and during that time there was
bitter wrangle between the Mahonites
and opponents OF the unit rule, which
finally resulted in the latter leaving the
meeting in q body and refusing all COM
promise with the Mahonites, and claim
ing to be regular delegates from that dis
triCt TO the convention,
At $3.50 the convention reassembled,
when the Committee on Permanent Or
ganization reported, naming Col. Will
liam Lamb, OF Norfolk, as chairman,
The report OF the Third district delega-
ton (Nlahonites) was presented. Hon.
John S. Wise, who led the opposing
delegation from the same district, ad-
vocated the claim OF his delegation.
He charged corruption and fraud
on the part OF the opponents in his
district. He came to this convention,
he said, with forty-fve out OF siXty-six
delegates from his district, and yet the
convention had tried to emasculate
them by letting in these imposters and
frauds. He was going to hold district
convention in spite OF all and
was going to Chicago to fight
the battle OF the Republican party
and let those who did the wrong stand
from under. The time had now come
when this plan OF organization had to be
stopped and not be submitted to any
longer. Capt. Wise then called upon
all those opposed TO the unit rule TO re-
tire from the hall and hold separate
meeting. He then left the stage, and
amid tremendous shouts, huzzas and
waving Of hats, etc., about l5O left the
hall.
Comparative quiet followed the de-
parture OF the seceders and routine bus
iness progressed until it was found that
the convention could go no further until
the Committee on Credentials and Busi-
ness were ready to report. Pending
this speeches were made. 1t was nearly
midnight when the Committee on Gre
dentials reported.
The delegates at large are John G.
Watts, of fazewell; S. Brown Allen, Of
Augusta; A. ii. Harris, Of Dinwiddie,
and Gen. W. Malone, Of Petersburg.
Electors at large: Col. William Lamb,
OF Norfolk, and Frank. S. Blair, OF
Wythe.
The unit rule at Chicago and the con-
tinuance OF the present plan Of organi-
zation were adopted.