Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-10-13
THE DARK-LANTERN PARTY.
The Reporters of the Ledger and
Avalanche Undertake 40 storm
the KnOw-NOthing Camp, but are
RepuIsed by an Adjournment.

Repulsed Dy an Adjournment.
Yesterday j. W. Doyle, an employe
at the Mississippi and Tennessee rail
road shops, and one of the high dignita-
ries of the new party, and its nominee
for Representative, called at the LEDGER
Office and desired to publish his
reputation of ticket No. 2, but as
he did not wish to repudiate ticket No. l.,
or even admit that he was a. candidate,
his article was refused publication
Our political reporter informed Doyle
that he would be present to demand ad
mittance to the meeting of last night in
the name Of the press and the people,
who were justly indignant at the expul-
sion of the Avalanche reporter on Fri
day night last. At eight o'clock last
night the LEDGER and Avalanche COM
missioners were on hand in front of the
Jefferson block, on Second street, await
ing the gathering of the clans. Our
skirmisher made several raids across the
street and, with lorgnette, examined the
dark position of the enemy, but all was
darkness and silence. At half-past
eight a half dozen leaders of the new
party began to assemble at Hitz-
fields store. There were Jesse Brown,
Mr.. Doyle, Mr.. Reynolds and others.
The reporters line Of battle on the side
walk was reconnoitered by the enemy
several times, and at last sortie was
made from the store, headed by gen.
tleman carrying lamp or dark-lantern.
The reporters drew forth their pencils to
repel the charge OF infantry, but by a
flank movement the enemy moved to the
left and advanced up a dark stairway in
Indian file.
THE REPORTERS ATTACK IN REAR.
The word advance being given, our
commissioner led the way and followed
the Know-Nothings TO their den. 1t was
the hall of the Blacksmiths' Union, in
the third story of the Jefferson Block.
AT one end there was a raised plat
form for the presiding officer, and
at the other vacant chair for
the second in command, while around
the room chairs were placed. A dozen
statesmen appeared on the ground, Jesse
Brown, J. W. Doyle and j. T. Reynolds
being the commanders, at least to all APP
pearances. The reporters we're received
and examined critically, their position
on one side of the room was scientif
cally surveyed, but what to do with them
was the mystery. IL would not do to
turn them out as was done on Friday
night, neither would it do to transact
the secret work" in their presence.
The other leaders of this dark-lantern
party failed to put in an appearance,
they no doubt having become ashamed
at their ridiculous position in presuming
to appoint themselves nominees Of the
people.
Doyle and others held several consul
tations out in the hall about the pres
ence Of the men of the lead pencil. you
know you can tell instinctiyely when
people are talking about you). In few
minutes Doyle took the chair and stated
in solemn tone os voice that the COM
mittees appointed at former meeting
had failed to report. The committees
we're as follows To wait upon Radical
leaders in order to form a combination
Messrs. Doyle and Harrington; to com
municate with country observation-disclosures.
Moores and Vance. Representative
Doyle stated that as these committees
failed to report, there was no
business before the meeting A
brother who had been out in the
hall consulting with Doyle arose, and,
after untelescoping himself, moved that
the meeting adjourn until Friday night.
This was carried unanimously, the re-
porters not voting. Colonel Hitzfeld
commenced putting out his dark.lan-
terms or oil lamps, and the crowd COM
menced moving to the stairway. Col.
Hitzfeld approached our representative
and said pleasantly: :" Well, Mr..
LEDGER, you have seen the dark lantern
at last" Yes, as pleasantly answered
our representative, and by the by, Mr..
Huzfeld, will say this for you, that yop
you have thrown more light on this
meeting than any man in the ROOM
The press was most sdroitly circum
vented by the representatives of the P.
R. aud W. party. 1t would not do to
put them out, and it would not do to
permit them to remain, so the Know
Nothings and Radicals tried the flank
movement. Col. Doyle and Col. Brown
no doubt reorganized the gang and held
the meeting where the reporters could be
found not, and where the dArk-lanterns
we're again lifted up to cast a pale,
gbastly and sickly glare on the still
born corpse Of the new party.
"HELLo, Captain, where did you get
those nice fish aud oysters?' " Why, at
29s Second street, at Edwards fish and
oyster depot. He has every kind.