The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1874-09-23

Pursuant to call by the Chairman of
the Democratic Congressional Commit
tee, a respectable number of the citizens
of the Second Senatorial District assem-
bled in the Court House at Rogersville,
on Wednesday, 10th September, 1874,
! Mai. W. n. CIarkson, Chairman of the
| Congressional Executive Committee,
/ called the Convention to order and ex-
planned the object of the meeting to be
the selection of a candidate to represent
the people of the Second Senatorial Dis
trict in the upper house of the next Leg-
| islature.
On motion of Nathan Gregg, of Su1li-
van county,-O. r. Watkins, of Hamblen
county, was nominated and unanimously
elected as President of the Convention;
and Sam Lee Chestnut, of Hawkins was
nominated and elected Secretary.
On motion, John J. Wolfe and Jacob
Hamilton. of Hawkins, n. Gregg, of
Sullivan, n. Hipshire, of Claiborne, and
Dr. r. B. Owens, of HambIen, were APP
pointed Committee to fix the basis of
representation for each of the counties.
After retirement and consideration, the
Committee returned and reported the
following as the basis agreed upon, in
ballotting for a Sullivan
should be entitled to 16 votes, Hawkins
10, Hancock 8, Hamblen 6, Claiborne 5.
Which report was accepted by the Con-
vention. 0E
1t was then unanimously agreed to by
the Convention that a two-thirds major
ity of the Convention should be neces-
sary to choice in the candidate.
Nominations being declared in order,
n. Gregg nominated Capt. L. H. Denny,
of Sullivan county; VIII S. Dickson
nominated John Blevins, of Hawkins
county; DR. r. B. Owens nominated J.
c. Hodges, of Hamblen county.
On motion, ten minutes were granted
to each of the candidates in which to ex-
plain their position on the political top
les of the day, and to give expression to
the fact that they would abide by
the decision of the Convention, and
support its nominee. After consultation
between the aspirants, they declined, ow-
ing to the lateness of the hour, to make
any further announcement than that
they would abide by the action of the
Convention.
The first ballot was then had and re-
suited:
For John Observation-Disclosures, 10; Han
cock, 3; Hamb len, 1; Claiborne, 30.
For l.. H. Denny-Sullivan, 10. s
For J. G. Hodgcs-Hamblen, 5.
SECOND BALLoT.-For John Blevins-
Hawkins, 10; Claiborne, 5; Hamblen, I !;
Hancock, $40.
For /. III. Denny-Sullivan, is.
For J. G. Hodges-IIamblcn, 5.
After some discussion it was agreed to
drop the hindmost candidate after the
third ballot
THIRD BALLoT.-FOr John Blevins-
Hawkins, 90; Hancock, 3; Hamblen, 1;
Claiborne, 5-158. -
For /. II. Denny-Sullivan, IS.
For J. G. Hodges-uamblcn, 8; Haw-
kins, 35-Sk. ---- .--.--.-
Capt. Hodges being the hindmost can
didate voted for, in few eloquent re-
marks, urging the Convention to har-
mOny and unanimity of action in future
ballots to secure candidate, thanking
the Convention for the vote he had re-
ceivcd withdrew his name.
FOURTH Ballot. II. Denny-Sul-
Ivan, 10; Hamblen, 5; Hawkins, 3a-244
John Observation-Disclosures, 6s; Hancock,
3; Claiborne, 5; Hamblen, 1-158.
The name of J. G. Hodges was again
placed in nomination, and question
was raised as to the motion adopted by
the Convention of dropping the hind
most candidate. Before its decision by
the Chair, Mr.. BIcvins withdrew his
name.
FIFTH BALLOT. Fl. Denny-Sulli-
van, 10; Claiborne, 2-17.
j. G. Hodges-Hawkins, 10; Sullivan,
+; Hancock, 3; Claiborne, 3; Hamblen,
6-23.
Capt. L. Fl. Denny's name was with
drawn-and Maj. w N. Clarkson was
placed in nomination. Maj Clarkson,
in a. few pertinent remarks, thanking
the Convention for the honor, declined
the nomination and withdrew his name
The name of r. G. Netherland was then
placed in nomination, but withdrawn by
him. The name of Jacob Hamilton, of
Hawkins, was then placed in nomina-
ton. -
-. SIXTH BALLOT Mr. Hamilton
Hawkins, 10; Hamblen, /; Hancock, 3
Ia
For Mr., Hodgcs-Sullivan, 16; Ham
blen, 5; claiborne, 5-26
81 Upon the announcement of the vote
by the Secretary, B1r. Hamilton thanked
the Convention for the vote it had hon
Ored him with, but announced that un-
der no circumstances could he accept
the nomination if rendered him, and
moved that Mr.. Hodges be declared, by
acclamation, the choice of the Conven-
ton.
The motion was put to the Conven-
tiOn and NIr. Hodges was declared its
unanimous candidate There being no
further business to transactI the ConVen-r
ton adjourned sine die.
- o. WATKINS,
SAM LEE CHsTNUT, - Chairman.
Secretary. relt--ea
The Nashville Union and Amer
lean +s.~-t = 't-.Fr g t.s