The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1869-05-28

0SO'O hSooiHS gives SAS ISdN0E d
truthful and mpreheusive idea of the rad
zeal pow-wow at Nashville on Thursday
and Friday last. 1t was the most riotous
and disgracefu scene ever Witnessed in
Tennessee, and but for the presence and
interpositon of the police would have been
bloody. At one time bloody collision was
barely averted. If hostilities had once
been inaugurated with firearms the con
sequences would have been fearful. The
disturbances commenced at the start, when
each party endeavored to secure the tenn
porary chalrnanship. After several hours
of the most extraordinary confusion that
party claimed to have elected the chatham,
but the Stokes party refused to concede,
and two rival aspirants for the chair took
possession of the same, each refusing to
yield, while the confusion was becoming
worse confounded
During the melee Dave Nelson, son Of
Hon. T. A. R. Nelson, struck Congress
man Butler in the mouth. knocking him
down. Butler at once drew his pistol, and
was on the point of dischargingi it when
dozen men charged for the com batants and
separated them. Affairs at this iuncture
were critical, as amidst babel of tongues
the cooking of pistols could be distinctly
heard all over the hall.
During the afternoon Rev. DR.. Pearne,
the Senter chairman, was allowed to occupy
the chair. but hardly had business com
menced when the confusion and yelping
and yelling broke out afresh, and, if posi-
BILE, with ten times more fury. 1t Iept
up in this way for about an hot. when
Sekter's friends claimed that he was ncmi-
Red by reclamation. The other party re-
fused to yield. and the wrangling broke out
anew, threatening every moment to become
a bloody row. At last quiet was restored
for moment, and the convention adjourn
ed until 10 o'clock Friday.
On Friday the riotous scenes were re-
sumed. At 10 o'clock. when the doors of
the House of Representatives were thrown
open. Rev. Dr.. Pearpe, the Senter chair
man, was found alone in the hall, occupy
ing the chair, gavel in hand, looking the
picture of gravity and dignity. He had
stolen march on the Stokeites by reason
of Senter's friends having control of the
building. The doors once open, Congress
man Butler, the rival aspiring chairman.
madeshasty strides for the chair. He hav-
ing sscured gavel for the occasion, on
mounting the platform, both commenced
to call the convention to order, but order
there was none, as the rival factions com
menced an uneaFthly yelling, all efforts of
The police to preserve order being perfectly
futile
At intervals, when the noise would have
partially subsidized, the chairman would es-
say to speak, bu! this would be the signal
for furious howl, which would be resum-
ed as soon as any member essayed to speak
no matter who he was. This state of af-
fairs was relieved by the occasional calling
of GLARS" which was continued fully
three hours, the crowded galleries all this
time hugely enjoying the sport. AT the
time the confusion was at the highest half
a dozen policemen were around the report
ers' tables clutching at belligerent Sen
terite, who had essayed to wallop the Stokes
chairman
A lull in the Pandemonium enabled a
delegate to move an adjournment, which
was carried. when DR.. Pearne retired from
the chair but 10 sooner had he vacated
than the Stokes chairman raped his gavel
and called the convention to order. A
voice at once ordered the Sen
terites to remain, which they did, and the
babel of voices commenced again with re-
newed vigor, and any attempt to make
nominations was simply out of the ques-
ton, the unearthly calls continuing with
more or less vigor until members were
hosrse or worn out. At times the scene
was ludicrous in the extreme, and was rich
ly enjoyed by the outsiders.
At last, when it became quite apparent
that nothing could be done the concern
broke up, and thus the matter stands.
The above is concise and impartial re-
port OF ID6 proceedings auu Is SuoSlahLlal-
ly the same as that sent to the Louisville
Courier Journal by its SPECIAL correspon-
dent, who was an eyewitness and of course
an unPrejudiced reporter.
Thus the Radical party of Tennessee is
fairly split up, as it is announced that both
Senter aud Stokes are candidates. Of course
there will be no Conservative candidate,
and the fight will be intensely bitter be-
tween the rival factions, in which some
may be made by one or both
of them for the conservative vote. We
nov hold Lha halanna Of nnruor LII ~.