Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-07-20

their resignation TO this Convention, and
the same Is hereby accepted; be il
Resolved, Thstthe gratitude ofthis Con-
vention, and of the Democracy Of Shelby
county is due TO the committee for the
able, efficient, and satisfactory manner
in which they have discharged their ar
duous and complicated duties.
Col.ssPhelan SAID that thea above embrac-
edtwo resolutionsl The appointment of q
new committee, or the reappointment of
the same committee had nothing to do
with the receiving of their resignation
or returning thanks.
The .chair sustained this view of the
matter, and suggested to Squire Crews
the propriety of making two resolutions
of the same; TO which the latter agreed.
The question being put to the house,
and open for debate, Col. Phelan re-
marked that he desired to explain the res
olution he had offered. The resolution Is
meant to thank the committee for the
EeGl which they had displayed and for
their good intentioRs, but he did not in
END by it to ask the convention to in
dorse either their policy or capacity. Upon
the question of their ability and success,
let us examine the facts. In the March
elections the straight ticket was bolted,
an indedendent candidate put in the field
against the regular nominees, but
not one word did the people hear in
eXpostulation or warning ron the Exec
uLfve COMMITTEES, and the ticket was de-
feated by a Radical minority under the
very noses of th5 COMMITTEES. 1t is not
well known that Flippin, one of our most
popular candidates, went out of the city
with some 400 majority, and was only
elected by about $50! And this when the
Democratic majority should have been at
least 2000. Can we think of subscribing
to a policy which has alienated the bone
and sinew of our party; which has
brought down overwhelming majorities
to the very verge OF defeat; and which,
at its rapid rate of descent, would soon
leave us again at the mercy of the Radi-
Gals? What was the majority of the
Democratic candidates for the Legislature
when the party worked under the able and
skillful administration of the Executive
committee of which A. Woodward was
the chairman, when there was a full and
double Radical ticket in the field, and
when half of u party were disfran-
chised? 1t was then 1924; in the next
election it was nothing; and so long as
the policy of the present Executive Com
mittee was pursued it could never be in
creased. He should be glad to iDdorse
the loyalty and Zeal of the committee,
but would never consent either to laud
their capacity or to indorse their policy.
The question, therefore, was between his
resolution and that in lieu-the N
thanking for zeal, the other indorsing
their policy and actions.
Colonel Phelan's remarks were received
with cheers and applause. When the ex-
element subsidized Colonel DuBOse took
the floor in reply.
In opening, he said hat he was more
cognizant OF the workings of the Demo-
cratic party than anyone, from his po-
sition as editor of a Democratic paper and
chairman of the executive committee.
The assertions in regard to the defeats of
March and May were perfectly absurd
and ridiculous. The executive COMMITTEES
had worked faithfully and diligently, had
subscribed their money, and had used
every available means to lead TO success.
The defeat of the party alluded to was
not caused by any failure on the part
of the committee. The same convention
that nominated them had nominated a
man who happened to be unpopular with
a class, and a man was brought out
against him; he alluded to Major Press
Strange, z very popular and able gentle
man, which act caused division and dis
sentiOn in the Democratic ranks. (Cries
of That's sO."l The committee had to
work against this powerful influence, and
he would ask wherein did the committee
make a mistake? As to the Radical
tricks alluded to by Colonel Phelan, the
Radicals had three thousand negro voters
that they could vote or concentrate any
where in the county at twenty-four
hours notice. We stood by the party
through thick and thin. AS to the enor-
nous Democratic majority spoken of by
the gentleman, he would like to know
where it is. The largest vote ever polled
in Shelby county was 1906, of which
$3.50 belong to the Radicals. "Show u.s."
said Colonel DuBose, in conclusion,
E-L--- -. - NA.f--I -z.T. -.
in we have lacked capability;
wherein we have made a mistake" He
wound up by saying that the attack on
the committee was a mere TRADE against
individuals, gotten up for the benefit of
papers in This town.
Colonel Norment called the previous
question. but the call was not sustained,
and the debate continued. The substance
of the arguments of Colonel Phelan and
Colonel DuBose. both of whom spoke af-
terward, is given in the extracts above.
We cannot reproduce them entire on ac-
count of the great length of these pro-
ceedings.) Both gentlemen made some
good hits, and were Justify cheered. One
passage in particular was the cause of
great applause. Colonel DuBose, in the
course of his remarks, in reply to Colonel
Phelan's statement that half the Demo-
voters of Shelby county
were ulslEdOtCuistu al bnS Eub5E-
election, asked "where
was the Democrat in this county who
was DISTINGUISHED or who did not vote?"
appealing to Register Boughner to sub
his question. Here y said Mr..
Phelan, is onei l had a certificate
thrust in my hand, but | refused to Use
it uutil I did SO legally" This caused a
great cheer for him, but a moment after
ward, when Col. DuBose said that "had it
been for those who did use them, Col.
would be DISTINGUISHED yet" the
tables were turned anu he was Justify
cheered.
We viii not prolong an account of thu
wrangle aud discussions that followed
for an hOur and a half. 1t can only serve
to perpetuate feelings that should be for
The
RESULT
was hat the resignation of the Demo-
Executive Committee re- elected to
serve until the next convention. Col.
DuBose in a neat speech accepted the
rust, and at three O'Clock the convention