Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1875-01-27
LETTERS FROM NASHVILLE.
After the Finh Day-A Week Of Intense
Excitement.
NASHVILLE. Jan. %. 1879.

To-day has been the most exciting
one of this most extraordinary contest.
The balloting for four days previous
had shown but little change, the sup
porters of each candidate manifesting
disposition to adhere to their respect
i've favorites. The result of the last
ballot on Friday did not differ materi-
ally from the ballots of Wednesday.
And so of the first ballot to-day, being
the thirtieth that had been taken. In
casting his vote on this ballot, Repre-
sentative Toon, of Williamson county,
who had been voting for Ewing, crea-
ted a ripple on the surface, by an
nouncing that in the future he would
cast his vote for Andrew johnson.
The galleries manifested approval of
his vote by prolonged cheers. The
speaker restored order by vigorous
rapping with his gavel and the vote
was announced showing no material
change over previous ballots. So of
3lst, 32d and SD ballots.
On the oath ballot a number of the
supporters of Mr.. stephens and Gen.
Bate, according to previous arrange
ment as the sequel will show, went
over to Brown, running his vote up to
\ 80, within two votes of the eX-Presi-
dent Then wild excitement prevails
ed, the friends of Brown and John
son vieing with each other as to which
could make the most noise for their
candidate. Then to the surprise of the
uninitiated, Mr.. Adams, of Obion
county, arose in his seat and stated
| that, in the interest of the
| Democratic party of Tennessee,
he was authorized to withdraw
| the name of Gov. Brown. This an
nouncement was received with fresh
outburst of applause, and for few
minutes. Brown was the most popu-
lar man in the State with that au-
dience.
Then Bate stock began to rise.
On the next ballot he ran up to "a,
and the next to %. On the 3Sth he
began to fall Off and johnson ran up
| to 81, the highest he had yet received,
when his friends set up such yell as
to make il utterly impossible to pro-
coed with the balloting for several
minutes. On the next two he ran up
to IS, when a motion TO adjourn TO
3 o'clock prevailed.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The intelligence that Brown had
withdrawn and that johnson was GO
ing up spread rapidly over the city.
NOllllu& tiSt was tdlhtu ubOuls AlGu,
women and children, of all sexes and
conditions in life joined in the discus
sion of the exciting topic. By 8 O'Clock
an immense concourse of people had
assembled at the Capitol, and expecta~
ton was on tip-toe. 1t was confident
ly believed by many that an election
would result within an hour.
QUARLEs wITHDRAwS.
Before the balloting commenced
Gen. Quarles arose in his place, and
withdrew his name from the list OF
candidates. On the next ballot he
and his Supporters went solid for Bate,
running his vote up to "a, the great
commOner also receiving "a. The au-
nouncement of the result started tue
galleries again, and cries of bate, -
and johnson went up from all
parts of the galleries and lobby.
STEPHENS wITHDRAws.
After the Add ballot, Mr.. Hurt with
drew the name of Mr.. Stephens amid
the widest excitement. Then Adams,
of Obion, again brought forward the
name of Brown, and Cooper nomina-
ted Gen. Quarles. This was a ruse on
the part OF the enemy, and the names
were again Withdrawn. Then Bate
ran up to As while Johnson reached
AZ. After some fine maneuvering on
the part of West Tennessee members,
the 44th ballot was taken when Gen.
Bate came within one vote of being
elected, receiving As votes, three mem
bers of the House being absent. The
announcement of the vote was re-
ceived with cheer after ceeer, long
ang loud, and Speaker Bond, who was
| H., a. -, .
Convention unless order was restored.
The result of the 4Sth ballot you
have had by telegraph. Every effort
to adjourn was sturbbornly contested,
and il was not until the fact became
apparent that neither Bate nor John
son could be elected at that time, that
their friends consented to an adjourn
ment.
Speculatons now as to the result
would be idle. The prevailing opin-
ion is that an election will be made on
Monday. The belief is gaining ground
that unless an early concentration of
the anti-J ohnson forces is effected, the
ex-President will win. The ranks of
his enemies are wavering for the want
of organization, and the cry of " any,
thing to beat johnson y will not hold
them together many hours longer. Mr..
Stephens friends boldly proclaim that
If the test vote to-day on Bate had
been made upon him, he would have
been elected. | think this is true.
There has never perhaps been a
week of so much excitement in Nash
vile, especially over matter of this
character. There are those who have
been here two or three weeks, and who
are literally worn out. In the parlors
and corridors of the Maxwell House,
they sink down on chairs, overcome
with exhaustion and fall asleep. So
great has the excitement been that
everybody is getting weary of it, and
an election will be hailed with a de-
gree of pleasure by all, no matter
what the result may be. r.
SOME FACTS ABOUT THE LEADING
CANDIDATES.
NASHVILLE, Jan. %, 1875.
Growls of dissatisfaction and disap-
pointment are heard ON every hand
tonight because of the failure TO elect
a Senator this afternoon. The Bate
men are especially loud in expressions