Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-10-06
Democratic State Central Conn
How was John Bell Elected U. s. Senator
in 1877! BY Worrying out Easuand West
Tennessee

How was John bell Elected U. s. Senator
in 1877! BY Worrying out Easqand West
Tennessee
| It's well known that there was protracted strug-
gle in Legislature of lS47 to elect U. s. Sena-
tor. East and West Tennessee each claimed that
the SenAtorshp of right belonged to that division
There were several candidates Mr.. BELL was him
self member of the Legislature, and though not
candidate at last elected the Senator. We make
the following extract from a card of Hon. JOHN
WILLIAMS, of Knoxville. prominent member the
Opposition party and in that Legislature, leader
of the REESE men. Hear what he SAYS of Mr. BELLS
conduct:
"They (the Middle Tennessee members) saw that
neither Eastnor West Tennessee would yield to the
other, and that by declining the invitation to settle
the difficulty. they would be able 10 worry out the
two ends of the State, and finally secure the election
of Mr.. Bell.H
If it had been their purpose to elect any other
than Mr.. Bell why did they rot vote for candidate
in the Western District, who at time received
thirty-eight votes? The votes Of these gentlemen
who have gratuitOusly come forward as evidence in
this matter, would have elected him, and thereby
put an end to this long contested election. They
! could likewise have elected other gentlemen. But
| this would, in my Judgment, have been violation
of their settled determination and if these gentle
men would throw aside the veil OF secrecy and dis
close to the world all that transpired in their secret
cauclses, apprchend it would be difficult matter
for them to make the public believe that they
in earnest when they say they were willing TO go
into caucus and not prcseut a candidate.
But the editor Of the Wing says, Mr.. BELL
promptly acquesced in this proposition. l will
now examine his cOnrse and see if it corresponds
with the statement OF Mr.. HALL Whom did ne vote
for when his name was first called in convention?
Did he vote for either of the candidates who
on nomination? No. But cast his vote for the
Governor OF the State and continued do, until
the Governor. as | have been informed. requested
him to vote for some one else. Does this look
though he was willing to election made either
from East or West Tennessee? think not. It's
less for Mr. HALL attempt disguise the fact that
every mOvementhe (ir Belly made IN the Senatorial
election had for its object his own election. If he
was willing to select a candidate and not present
himself or any other individual residing in Middle
Tennessee why did he not when called up by East
Tennessee to come forward and settle the difficulty,
take the course which characterized the conduct of
Hon. +. H. FOSTER and declare that he would not
suffer himself to be brought forward a candidate
as long as East Tennessee asked the Senator? In
addition to Mr.. BELL having scattered his vote
throughout the election, to prevent the election
of any one but himself, he stated occasion,
that he had claims the Wing party that he had
long enough yielded to other distinguished men and
that he could do no longer. And if he was will
ing select candidate from either of the extremes
of the State, why did he allow himself to be put in
nomination? For the obvious reason that he did
not intend that either East West Tennessee should
furnish the Senator