The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-03-15
Fight OveF che Clerkship.

previous, was necessarily brief written as 1t
was at late hour Of the night. special Re-
porter drafted for the occasion, gives sketch +
Of the proceedings in to-day's paper. 1t is /
generally admitted by men Of all parties, that
no political meeting ever before came off in
Evansville quite so rich quite 50 redclent of
fun, folly and personal animosity, asthis nota
bic gathering of Thursday night. No pen
could describe its scenes-no mortal tongue
convey an idea Of the humor and raeiness and
dire confusion of this caricature or burlesque
upon conventions. The more respectable
Democrats were as heartily disguised as their
opponents present were amused. 1t was a
never to be forgotten meeting, and as such we
intend touching upon few of its features.
The grand struggle was upon the Clerkship
All the other nominations were made without
difficulty, there being in fact but Office be-
sides the Cerkship, if we remember rightly,
for which there were two candidates There
were two candidates for City Recorder Mr.
Kemp, the German, was voted down with
yell by the Irish under the Sherif,s charge,
with other aid, it being understood he had run
once against an Irish candidate for Justice
of the Peace. EIe was the only German whose
name was before the Convention, and yet be
was most cruelty snubbed. Is it possible our
Democratic friends are going to try to get
along without the Germans-or do they think
the Germans have already had their full share
of Offices, and are now only to be used as DO
ting tools2
The contest upon the Clerkship was bitter
and vindictve, and yet highly humorous to the
large number present not directly interested.
We have already said that Gavitt, the Sheriff,
one Of the latest additions to the Old Line
party here was determined to rule the leaders
and the party, in this city, and that he would
oft. We gave these leaders our sincere SYM
pathy, at the same time we vastly wondered
they would let just such man control them,
and through them the party. Well, Gavitt
although he helped place in Office the present
City Clerk, Mr. Walker. had quarrelled with
him, and was determined he should not re-
ceive The nomination of his party for re-elec
ton, although no political objection could be
urged against him, nor charges connected with
an improper discharge of his duties The Old
Line leaders thought the nomination due him,
especially in view of one or two circumstances
not necessary to mention here. 1t was under
stood both parties would enter the Convention
prepared with all the backing in their power
to carry out their preferences
But GaTitt had the Convention "packed"-
We never saw a convention better packed than
this nor the packing tools more obedent to
the signal of the leader, whether in voting, APP
plauding, or yelling down an opponent. Both
parties maneuvered skillfully and with eyes
wide open to the deceits Of the enemy. The
Walker party had endeavored to pack, but
they proved themselves poor packers. They
were in about as uncertain a position as some
Of our pork packers this season. A motion to
nominate by committee, was obj scted to by the
Gayitt men, or Seymour men, as Mr. Seymour
was the opposition candidate. Several other
suggestions and motions were put down OF
withdrawn, the discussions being spiced with
the warmest ingredients OF the political castor
The question was finally put, viva voce, and
the vote for the two candidates seemed about
even. 1t was agreed to count noses. 7ha
wouldn't do Then motion was carried fol
all the voters to pass By tellers on the stand
The Gavitt men commenced the procession
They formed in kind Of circle, and had cir
cled nearly tteico before the tellers, when Wei
Walker jumped up and exposed the proceed
ings in a great state of excitement, and can'
down ike tornado on Gavitt Mr. Gayit
jumped up ard they kept jumping up, ant
yelling and going through the motions viii
langhable violence.
The whole contest was ,j.s9raoeftz 90 any Sc
of men. Yesterday the meeting was a sub
ject Of LAUGHTER and ridicale over the city
Hereafter It shouid ts remembered by ever
Democratic participant with JUrplag Illus
of shame The dispute was Gaally settled lc
the time by leaving the appointment Of Il
nominee 10 committee Of three FROM eac
ward, to le selected by the officers Of IL
meeting, and to report this morning. Il wi
be very singular indeed if Gpgitt does not HAY
finger in ms pic Ne lock Gos the nolnini
ton Of Seymour, in justice 70 whom we vi
say no personal objections can bs odered
his opponents, while politically speaking
himself says lie has advocated Democrat
principles from his earliest infancy" Y
cannot enter into details Of the proceedings.
\ "violensabstract'' Of them viii De found
our Reporters column
But SECULAR spectacle was presented