The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-07-26
TILDEN AND HENDRICKS IN
TENNESSEE.
THOMAS O'CONNER, A DELEGATE
TO THE SIT EOTTg 4GONVEN.

THOMAS OCONNElH, Il DELEGA TIE
TO THE ST LOUIS CONVEN
TTON, ON THE STTUA TTON.
A representative of the World yes
terday called on Major Thos. O'Con-
ner. of Tennessee, at the Fifth Ave-
nue. Hotel, for the purpose of learn
ing something of the political situa-
ton and prospects in his State. Ma
jor O'Conner is a member of the COM
mittee appointed by the ST. Louis
Convention to wait upon and notify
Governors Tilden and Hendricks of
their nominations. He is one of the
most liberal and energetic leaders of
his State, and as he is neither an
office-holder nor office-seeker, it is
presumable that his views are quite
as correct as could be obtained from
any source. In reply TO an inquiry
as to the prospects of carrying Ten
nessee for Tilden, Hendricks and re-
form. the Major very promptly said
"There is no doubt of Tennessee's
going for the ticket by an over
whelming majority
Reporter-But, Major. your State
was very enthusiastic for Governor
Hendricks. Will not some of the
Democracy be little lukewarm in
their support of Tilden.
Major O'Conner-No, sir. The
Tennessee Democracy always sup
port the ticket. and they will do it
this time with as much energy and
zeal as ever before. Our Democrats
have preferences among candidates,
and they express their preferences
freely and emphatically; but it is
friendly fight, and when the nomina-
ton is made, all pull off their coats,
roll up their sleeves and go to work
for the nominee.
R.-But is there no lingering un-
kindness of feeling towards Cover
nor Tilden?
Major OC.-None whatever. Gov
ernor Hendricks is an old favorite
with the Tennessee Democracy. You
may remember that the electoral
vote of our State was cast for Gov
ernor Hendricks for the Presidency
in 1872, Mr.. Greeley having died be-
fore the electoral colleges met. The
pursuits and interests of his people
are more nearly identical with those
of our people than are those of the
citizens of New York. He has proved |
his local popularity by his election
in 1872, when Grant carried Indiana.
The unaninity and warmth with |
which he was sustained by the In
diana Democrats shows how devoted !
they are to him. The Tennesseans
are, therefore, proud of the support
they gave him. But they will be as
earnest and enthusiastic in the sup
port of Governor Tilden, now that
he is nominated, as they were in the
of Governor Hendricks for
that nomination. In fact, they are
prepared to admit, from the manner
in which the nomination has been re-
ceived in every State of the Union,
that the ticket is the strongest that
could have been made.
R.-Major, when does your COM
mittee wait upon Governor Hen
bricks to inform him of his nomina-
ton?
Major OC.--On the 18th.
R.-=Will all the committee meet
him at Saratoga?
Major OC--I suppose not; prob
ably not more than half of them. 1t
will be very inconvenient for many
Of them to go. 1t will be inconven.
ent for me to attend, but / expect
20 do so. /
R.-Well. Major, to change the
subject, what are tie prospects for re-
'uming the payment of interest bv
your State?
Major Q'U. - That is subject
about which ! cannot speak very
clearly.
R.-Will not your State Conven-
ion when it meets to nominate a
for Governor take some
lction upon the subject?
Major OCT certainly will not
ecommend any increase of the rate
# taxation. Our present Governor
Vill probably be re-nominated with
nut opposition. and upon the plat
orm of 1874, which opposed an in
rease OF taxation. [ see that Dor.
ely B. Thomas. a Democrat, has an
ounced himself candidate, and,
8 | understand. independent of the
and upon low tax plat
Orm--that Is. in favor of reducing
he taxation 50 rs to raise only suf-
Gent revenue TO pay the current ex-
enses of the State.
R.-What is your present rate of !
axation, and what rate would be
ecessary to enable the State to re- :
ume and continue the prompt pay l
lent of your interest? I
Major O'C.-The present rate is
0 cents on the 500 worth of taxa !
lie property. My recollection is t
lat statements made by the Comp ?
'oller and Treasurer a few months
noe showed that it would require
ON 20 TO 80 cents on the 500 to
egin and continue without Interrupt
on the payment of interest on our
tate debt.