Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-08-08
THE CONVENTION.
But Few Delegates Yet Arrived In Nash.
Ville-State Finances and the Rate
Of Taxation the Top
Topic.
The Opinion Of Shelby County and Mem.
phiS Eagerly Sought fOr-FOrty
Cents Most Likely to be the
Rate Adopted.
special TO the AnnaaIl

Special TO the Appeal
NASHVILLE, August but few dele
gates to the State Democratic conven.
ton have arrived, nearly all being from
East Tennessee and Chattanooga. There
is not much interest manifested regard
ing the convention, but there doubtless
will be by tomorrow. The only ques-
ton creating attention is that of State
finances, and the probable action of the
convention relative to the rate Of taxa.
ton. While there is feeling of distrust
and considerable apprehension among
the majority OF the people upon this sub
ject, l regard it as almost certain that
the present rate of forty cents will be
the rate agreed to by the convention.
While an effort may be made to
reduce the rate to twenty cents,
though it is hardly possible that such can
be accomplished, think the present
State Democratic platform will undoubt-
edly be adopted, with an additional
resolution Obligating the Democracy to
pay all just debts. General inquiry is
made as to what the Shelby county del
egation will agree upon regarding the
rate Of taxation, and much may depend
on their action. 1t is lamentable fact
that but little confidence is entertained
for Shelby county and Memphis being
willing to try to pay either the State or
municipal debt. This feeling operates
to the detriment of Memphis and Shell
by county. Considerations of selfish
policy and local interest, ir-
respective of pride in the main
tenance Of the State credit, should
therefore induce the Shelby county
delegation to favor at least forty cent
rate of taxation. Anything lower is
both ruinous and absurd-ruinous for
reasons TOO well known, and partially
given above; absurd because the con-
ventiOn will not 60 below forty cents,
and less rate, il advocated, will meet
with public denunciation and Demo-
cratic condemnation. II Shelby county
would seek to retain influence or hold
respect among the other counties, and in
public pride, her delegation must avoid
the advocacy of or attempt at q lower
rate of taxation than forty cents. A
lower rate is chimerical so far as the ac-
ton Of the convention is concerned.
Governor Porter will be renOminated
without any organized opposition. This
Is certain. The temporary chairman
will doubtless be from Last Ten
nessee. Colonel John Fleming, Of
tuc IAhOANlIlc II SOG%ItCy kOSAA LLNAASi
Of the Athens Post, and Colonel Inger-
soil, of East Tennessee, are mentioned
IS likely to be temporary chairman.
Hon. James d. Richardson, Of NJ MuIfrees-
boro, q former member of the legsla-
ture, and once speaker of the houss, is
spoken of for permanent chairman.
There will be an exciting but not bitter
contest for two electors for the State at
large. The prominent candidates are
Ex-Governor Isham g. Harris, Of Men,
phis, and General w. B. Bate, of Nash
vile. Hon. e. A. James, of Chstta-
nooga; Colonel James E. Bailey, Of
Clarksville; Colonel John CrOzier and
Colonel ALI Caldwell, of Knox
vile, and Hon. A. B. Martin,
Of Lebanon, arc also mentioned
as candidates. Some say the third man
may be selected. The contest will be
between Colonel Bailey, Ex- Governor
Harris, General Bate and Hon. E. A.
James. East Tennessee favors James,
but how far is not definitely known. A
large number of delegates are expected
tomorrow, and caucus will be held to-
morrow night.