The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-11-13
CORRESPONDENCE.
Two sides of n Story,
GILMER AND CALHOUN.

that we do not desire at this time to
take up the cudgels for either. Our
paper is open to I'LL; aud through It's
columns the gentlemen are ut liberty
to discuss the issues Of the campaign
until one or the other has got enough"
We know that tue canvass in Gilmcr
and Calhoun was the hottest. by
right sm,rt. rlnt has ever occurred
there; and doubt IS many things were
said aud done that were unpleasant
For this reason We suggest u news.
PAPER ba rtle-and cfvr the free uss Of
"ur columns, Until one or both are fully
satisfied:
GLESyiLLE Oatober 81.
To tie Editor Of The Democrat:
The election in the district com.
posed Of tho counties Of Gilm'r and
Calhoun is over; and though it has
gone largely Democratic, and elected
Democrats to Gil all the Offices, yet the
result is not su;h as renders general
satisfaction. It was agreed by thv
loading men Of Calhoun county that
Gilmer should have the mentor to the
Convention. in as much as the county
IT Calhoun was entitled to the member
II the House of Delegates. aud When
Gilmer made her selection, the county
Of Calhoun refused to comply with the
agreement. aud instead OF selecting a
man BY primary elections in each
township, rs Gilmer county had dOne.a
fOw individuals determined to take al
vantage Of Gilmcr, held township con.
vcn,ions composed of u very few sc'c,t
individuals, appointed delegates to
meet delegates from Gilnicr in general
Convention, which assembled at De-
llalb, and instructed their delegates to
vote the townships unanimously for
some man Of their choice, without con.
sulling the wishes OF the voters Of the
townships. The Convention met, aud
tho result was split in the party; but
10 produce harmony aud good feeling
one Of the gentlemen withdrew in IA
vUr Of the other. aud made n speech, in
which he urged the Democracy to hold
together and support bis opponent
Sdorlly after this u Convention was
held in Calhoun county, at Grant,
vile, the county seat and the sane del.
cgatrs that wero appointed by the
packet conventions held in the differ.
cnt Townships in Calhoun. (Gilmer no,
taking any part in the Convention. but
submitting to til agreement heretofore
referred to- met together, aud when
the names Of the two oppr slug Demo.
Gratis. Williams u Bennett AMI .leifer.
son Thomas, were offered. Mr.. Ben.
uetts friends took exceptions to the
manner III Which the delegates had been
selected, and pr,pS'd all honorable
means to compromise. From the best
information the rc pie Of Glmer could |
obtain. it appeared that Thomas was
not the choice ot the people Of Calhoun,
III fact letter was sent TO several
leading Democrats Of Gilmer. signed |
by eleven Of the best and most reliable
Democrats Calhoun. in which they
stated that the Cunvention was con-.
pe'cd Of On,y twcnty.six members, and
thirteen Of lhem Withdrew on account
Of corruption aud fraud attempted to be
pruciiecd by Mr. ,homa, friends.
Consequently they claimed that Ben.
nett was Us much the nominee Of the
Convention rs Thomas. Besides this
letter, Mr.. Bennett brought with him
divers aiHlayiis VI the most reliable
men in the county, sub,tantiAtiug all
that had been written or smd res.
pecting the manner in which he had
been drlIaujed cut Of the nomination, |
The people OF Gilmer county being
eogniz1nt Of all the facts in relation 10
how certain individuals in Calhoun had
treated them IN regard 10 tho nomiua.
liCu for the Convention. determined
10 learn those WIN assume to them
selves that they have the right aud
will cOnirUl-a lesson that will not br
soon forgotten ln the first place they
knew that William q. Bennett wac 10
deiatigablc III his labor. for tue Drmu.
cratic party, aud was knuwn to USE hi, |
talents, time aud money whenever re.
qulrcd fof the good Of tho party, aud
believing that u lahorer was worthy oil
his hire. determined to support him for
the House OF Delegates. aud tue result
Of the contest goes to prove that the
people are right, aud no trick or fraud
attempted by packed conventions viii
be tolerated. William u. Bennett re-
eOived Democratic majority Of up.
wards Of three hundred iu the two
counties, thereby showing thu. the
Convention bad acted 10 bad faith to.
ward him. His own county gave him u
mujOrity Of seventy odd, SO | have
been informed, Notwithstanding the
declarations Of many Of Mr.. Thomas
friends ihut Calhoun would give Mr.
7. two hundred majority. We claiul
that the assertion now allOat hat Mr..
Bennett was II bulter is unioundud, in
correct, and without effect. and sin.
cerely hope that all true Democrats
will coincide that something must have
been wrong in the nomination Of Mr..
Thomas, und that hereafter Couveu.
tions will be held to express tho wish
Of the people, aud trickrry aud packed
caucussts will b. disrrgarded