The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-08


In the article on the convention of 1!iS,
published last week. there were two an
advertenccs: one that Westmoreland coun-
ty had three deiesntes, while all the other
counties had but two; the other thai nor
folk borough had two.
Richard Henry Lee. one OF the deie-
gates from Westmoreland, was elected
a member OF the Continental Congress and
the third name was. in fact, the delegate
elected In his stead. The name Oh the
delegate from Norfolk borough WINS Wal
liam Roscow Wilson Curie, certainly
name enough for two.
Mr. Hugh Blair Grigsby, the accom-
plished Virginia historian. IN a note TO MS
Discourse on the Virginia Convention OF
1S2e- 90 says that '.in the journal OF the
convention of ii7s. the list of members is
altogether incomplete nor were the ayes
and noes called even once during its ses-
sion. In his admirable Discourse on
that convention. which is a treasure house
of Virginia biography. he himself fsils TO
give a full list of the members, though
he says, In the note above cited. 1.-The full
complement of the body may be ascertain
ed elsewhere
In treating the subject of Constitutional
Conventions IN Virginia, 1t seems like a
strange omission not to sny something OF
that great body of statesmen and patriots,
the convention of l1S7-'SS. which ratified
the Constitution OF the United States. The
object of these papers. however. is simply
70 pass In review the conventions that
framed constitutions for the State and,
attractive az the subject is, it must be
passed by with this slight reference
THE CONVENTION OF 1929 80
In discussing this convention, the qucS-
ton is. not whnr to say. but what may
be left unsaid: a real embarrassment of
riches. The men of the generation now
fast passing off the stage will stoutiy
maintain that Virginia attained the zenith
of her civic glory when that body met
II is almost a drnmatic climax even 10
read the journal and sound the names of
the dramatis personae. recalling Shakes
peare's grand invocation: "a Kingdom for
a stage. princes TO act md monarchs to
behold the swelling scene"
In a very rare pamphlet, which sells al
most for its weight in gold, entitled. The
Virginia Convention of 1929 80 dis
course delivered before the Virginia His
1orical Society at the aathenaeum in the
city of Richmond, December 18th. 1853. by
& Hugh B. Grigsby. Esq. is 20 be found the
best description of that body that has
ever been or ever can be written. Like
his discourse on the convention of 1916, II
is mainly biographical, but such bio
rraphy. There are two copies in the State
Library and it is marvel that some en-
terprising publisher does not get out a
reprint.
Here are some of the opening para
graphs: when the General Assembly of
Virginia during the winter of 1888.
passed the net calling convention to be
co1nrosed of four delegates from each
senatorial district, and required 1t to as
senlble in the city of Richmond on the
fifth of October following, the attention
of the people was soon directed TO the
choice of delegates to so important a
body. Federal politics were laid aside, and
public worth and eminent abilities were
the only standards in the selection of
members. Actual residence was overlook
ed and the unusual sight was presented
of one district selecting its representa-
1iyes from another and distant one.
What was rarer still, the opinions of
many of the persons voted for were ur-
known and in comparatively re" m
stnnces did any candidate address the
people from the hastings
AN AUGUST BODY.
A body of men. selected under such cir
cumstnnces. might we'll attract attention
at home and abroad and the period of its
assembling drew towards Richmond q
large concourse of intelligent persons from
various parts Of the Union. The
citizens OF Virginia who came 10 Rlch-
mond would alone have formed an audi
tory which any speaker would have
been proud to address.
1t was about 10 O'Clock on the 9th OF
October. 1Sea a morning a. lovely and
suspicious as could have been chosen.
that hundreds of persons of all ages were
seen thronsing the public square
AS the hour of Il drew near. and the
members elect began to assemble in the
hill of the House of Delegates and ex-
change salutatinns, the crowd gravi'ated
toward the gallery and lobby and filled