Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1874-05-07
THE C0LORED MEN.
Convention at
RogersvilIe juno
ton,
THE FACTS AMI INCL
DENIS OF THE DAY,

Wv" oiiou6ouiouto pres
viously made and published, the colored
men of the First Congressional District,
met in Convention at Rogersville james
tion last Friday for the purpose of dis
cussing the relative merits of the aspi,
rants for Congressional honors, to>wit i:
Hon. Z. L. G~illenwaters, and Hon. r.
r. Butler, and thereby arrive at some
definite conclusion as to which of them ,
in vieS of all the facts it was to their in.
tefest to support in the November cleo.
/ tic n.
The train from the East arrived at the
Junction at 8 q. m, densely crowded
with delegates from johnson, Carter, Sui
Ivan, Washington and Greene counties,
and were met there by the delegates
from Hawkins, Hancock, IIamblin, JEFF
fsrson and Granger counties, who had
arrived some time before. Immediately
after the arrival of the Western bound
train the caucusing commenced. The
first thing we noticed after the train
stopped was a ohttc man, apparently un>
der the influence of whisky, calling nois-
ly to the Butler men to come that way.
The friends of Mr.. Butler seemed to un-
derstand the sign and aocked around this
aforesaid whits man, and united with him
in his senseless whooping and profane
hurrahing to the utter disgust of all be,
holders.
When, in obedience to the summons of
this man who seemed by a prsconcerted
plan, to be the leader of the Butler fac
ton. they had fastened to separate them
selves from the miscellaneous crowd at
the depot Platform, they left behind them
much the larger part of the crowd who
to say the le0st of it appeared to be sober
and conducted themselves in q quiet,
orderly and dignifed manner. They
were adore ssed by Alfred Mckinney,
a delegate from Hawkins @ county y,
a n d DR.. Hankle q delegate from
Washington County in short but pointed
talks, in which they said that it was not
their purpose to dictate to their colored,
brethren whom they should support in
the Convention, but that they did want
them to conduct themselves rduring the
day as gentlemen and in a manner that
would reflect credit upon themselves and
those they represented. They especially
cautioned them against even the slightest
indulgence in Intoxicating liquor, telling
them that whisky was every mans enemy
and no mans friend. Having gotten
through with this preliminary meeting
the body prepared to move to the place
Of Convention which was announced would
be held in an adjacent grove whittier the
Butler party b ad already retired. Upon
coming to this place it was found that
the Butler men had already organized
by electing Ferdinand Maxwell, Chair.
man and three Secretaries.
Seeing the trick some Of the delegates
objected to this premature organization
aud demanded that Mr.. Maxwell's right
to the Craftsmanship be tested by q more
general vote of the delegates. This
proposition coming from far more than
half Of the then-assembled delegates was
not only not acceded to, but treated
with cool indifference and the makers Of
it wholly ignored in this so.called Con,
v%ention.
Denied in this manner aver q hearing
Of this just complaint; denied a voice in
their owu convention stupg By the insult
and smarting under this base attempt to
cheat and defraud them out Of theil
rights and privileges as delegates and
members of the Convention, those dele
gates who were opposed to dishonest
tricks, and in favor Of fairness withdrew
en- masse from this Marweu convention
III and took up their march for another
and more suitable place for their pur,
pose. viz, a large and well arranged room
near the Austin House., comfortably
seated and in every respect suitable for
the purposes Of a Convention.
Here assembled from two hundred and
Fifty to three hundred delegates, leaving
only o small crowd in the grove, to ad.
yocate the claims of Roderick Random
amid the noisy shouts and babelish clam
orings consequent uponl q too free imbib
ing Of Buffers whiskey.
The convention in the house soon come
to order and the organization was per
fected by the election of DR.. II. Haukle
Chairman, and H. L. Leftwitch, Secre
tary. "A
On motion the chairman appointed
Rufus Taylor. Of Carter county, Aller