The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-08-13
INTRODUCTORY AND EXPLANA-
TORY

On Thursday. August I'D, inst. con-
vention of the Democratic party of the
Fiftieth senatorial district convened at
Jonesboro, Union county, and. after a
turbulent session, nominated Col. Rob
ert Il. Townes, of Union county, senator,
and Mr.. John ii. Oberly, of Alexander
county, and Hon. Fountaine Z. Albright.
OF jackson county, for representatives in
the Thlrtieth general assembly. Col.
TONNES was nominated first. Upon the
call Of the roll of cOunties-the balloting
being In order with Col. TONNES, of I'm
ion, and j. B. Mayhem, Esq, of Jackson.
before the convention soliciting its nomi-
nation for the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS,
when called, voted, by its chairman. in
accordance with resolution of the con-
vention Jackson being then called, the
convention permitted the delegation of
that county. which had been instructed
to vote for Mr.. Mayhem, to ballot in
open convention, to ascertain whether it
would obey its instructions. The dele
cation, having sixteen votes, voted thir-
teen OF them for MIR. MAYHEM and one of
them for Col. TONNES. Two OF the dele
gates did not vote, either because they
were absent, or did not wish to
vote for either of the gentlemen who
were before the convention. When. the
result of this balloting in the Jackson
county delegation was announced, con-
fusion ensued; and at that time, twelve
OF the jackson county, and few OF the
Union county delegation withdrew from
delegates, Mcssrs. Albright and Oberly
were nominated by the delegates remain
ing in the convention.
Since the convention, MIR. Oberly has
been solicited by many Democrats to
not remain upon the ticket. Concluding
to take this advice. he has announced
his determination to not accept the nom-
ination. He believes that he should give
to his Democratic friends his reason for
this act and, therefore, he invites their
attention to the communication published
below, which Was addressed by him to
Col. Townes and MIR. Albright.
1t will be observed, that Mr.. Oberly
states that he has taken the step he has
in the interest Of the Democratic party Of
this district-in the hope of restoring har-
mony to its ranks. II his advice should
be taken by Col. TONNES and Mr.. AL
bright, he is confident that. through the
instrumentality OF another convention,
all the matters of difference in the party
could be brushed aside. But he confesses
that he does not believe his advice will be
taken.
Mr.. Oberly had, however, other rea-
sons than those stated in his Townes-Al-
bright letter for declining the nomina-
ton; and he begs leave here to state
them.
Col. Townes was regularly nominated
by full convention. Unless, therefore.
charges against him, affecting his honor
As man and citizen, can be made and
maintained, he is euuued TO Democratic
support. But Messrs. Albright and
Oberly were not nominated by full con-
vention. They were nominated by the
fragment Of the convention that worked
TO an adjournment after the Jackson and
Union county delegates referred to above
had seeded. 1t is probable that, II the
Jackson and Union county delegations
had been full, when the vote of nominees
Tor representatives was taken, Mr.. AL
bright would not have been nominated
The majority OF the Jackson county
delegation were opposed to him at least
number Of the Union county delega.
ton would not have voted for him none
OF the Alexander county delegation
would have supported him. Clearly.
therefore. he IL not the choice
OF the Democrats Of the Fiftleth
district for representative. Mr.. Oberly
was nominated by the fragmentry con.
venuoa that nominated Mr.. Albright
The Demonstration Ii a. hand, that Mr.
Albright obtained his nomination be,
cause the delegates Of his own county
were not In the onventlon-becat,se nv
Democrats Of the district were not fully
represented. Mr.. Oberiy. On his part, may
believe that be would have been nominat
ed BY full convection; but he does no,