Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-04-02

The following account Of the Hunter
meeting night before last came to hand
too late to appear yesterday, but it richly
deserves place in our columns to-day (:
EDIroRs LEDGER: On last evening at
the request of friend, / walked with
him to the Criminal Courtroom to wit
ness q joust between the Hunter and Ed.
Shaw wings of the Radical party. The
crowd gathered slowly, but finally was
suddenly augmented by the appearance
of Jimmy Gallagher at the head Of a
band of music, followed by number of
blacks whom be had mustered for the &C.
casion from Presidents Island, and
where the day had been spent in exhort-
ing, drinking and eating.
The meeting was called TO order by
Giles Smith (colored), who moved that
G. w. Waldran take the chair, and Hor-
rigan and some other colored man act as
secretaries. Wsldran, when assuming
the responsibliies-which he did with
out fear-announced that it was ex-
pressly q Hunter meeting, to which Ed.
Shaw (colored), County Commissioner,
demurred, and, for cause, stated that he
claimed the right 10 be heard, and would
reply to Judge Hunter. This deelara-
ton evidently aroused bad blood, but
Judge Hunter proceeded, amid some
shouting--Shaw taking an humble but
conspicuous seat Immediately in front Of
Hunters stand. Hunter began by az
sorting, aud he established conviction
in the minds of every one present,
that the Radical party has been and
is now the most venally corrupt
party that ever bad an existence in
this country. This proposition, of
course, no honest man dare deny. He
enumerated many instances Of bribery
and corruptions ln past elections, which
are sufficient in law to perjure and dis
qualify nearly every present Radical
office.holder.
BE charged, and proved the same BY
the written affidavit Ct DR.. T. NJ Dick.
inson, that ]. II. Bowen (who was elected
City Tax Collector on the Radical
ticket acknowledged that be paid two
thousand dollars for his nomination and
election, That Jesse B. Woodward,
County Attorney, appointed By the
County Commissioners, in order to So
cure his election, agreed with Ed. Shaw
and W. I. Kennedy, both oolored, to
pay them one-fourth Of bis salary so long
as be holds the position. This, Of course,
is only indirectly charging Barbour
Lewis and the other Com wissioners With
accepting q bribe for their votes for
Woodward.
he charged the ring, composed Of B.
Lewis, Kennedy, Shaw, Hudson and Al
stoD, of being grossly corrupt and seeking
to control the judicial elections with
money. he charged Aston with ffering
Ham Carter $4,000 (which be refused and
asked $40, 000), and told the colored men
that be had defended them against
charges made by Democrats that they
we're controlled by money, and had sold
their elective franchise for price; and
be admorished them that If they allowed
themselves to be swayed by the money
Of the opulent Clerk aud Master they
we're not entitled to enjoy the rights they
now have.
Shaw, seeing that Hunter intended to
keep the stand all night and thus cut
him of from q reply, became terribly
FESTIVE and excited. Hunter then read
Shaw's speech at Africa Bailey's church,
on Tuesday night, commenting as he
went; but coming to the point where
Shaw charged him (Hunier) with being a
thief etc., Hunter rose on tip-toe, lean.
log over the railing and pointing his
finger at Shsw's face, said:
"Do you say | am q theft"
Shaw replied, wait till | reply, and /
will not say it but prove it. "
Hunter, vrithiug under such home
thrust, most vehemeRtly declared
"Sir, If you say / an fhief, pro-
nouDce you q seoundrel and damned
hdrff" aIII
This Shaw gently submitted to, saying