Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-31
A CHAPTER ON SHELBY COUNTY POL
TTTNo

ment troubles the Appeal, although tina
usually reliable journal asserts thi'
morning that the Bartlett movement il
very dead. This is the reason, we sup
pose, that the Appeal goes back two
years to give it a kick. That was a move
in LEGAL politics that united all the Dem
ocratic and Conservative elements Of the
county and secured the election of an
"anti-Radical" ticket, composed Of gem
tlemen noted for their moral worth, hon
esty and capacity. They are yet in Of
fee, and Shelby county was never bless
ed with a better set Of officials as a body.
Let us see: There is James Reilly,
County Clerk, C. L. Anderson, Sheriff,
A. E. FARMLAND, Tax-Collector, DR.. N.
G. Perkins, Criminal Court Clerk, ".
81. Griebel, Register, Ben F. Coleman,
Circuit Court Clerk, G. j.. Campbell, now
deputy under Mr.. Coleman, John Nc
Brooks, Clerk Of the Bartlett Court, and
Colonel J,J. Rawlings, the venerable and
esteemed old-time gentleman who
fills the Office of County Trus-
tee. These are all good men,
against whom never q charge has
been uttered. They are all Democrats
or Conservatives as far a. we know and
fill their various responsible trusts with
fidelity and zeal. The Sheriff was elected
by a majority of 4O79, while bis prede-
cessor, Mr.. Jack Doyle, vas barely
elected after a heated contest by a ma
jority Of a little over 600. The Bartlett
platform, which theAppeal styles a her
maphrodite," contained some healthy
reading. 1t was copied a~pProvingly in
nearly all the Democratic journals Of
the State, and even got into some New
York papers and was discussed. We
suppose, then, there must have been
some live ideas in it. Whether that ID
the fact or not some Of its leading fea'
lures we're substantially adopted by the
State Democratic and Conservative Con
vention which was held at Nashville IL
August, 1874. In the preamble Of the
Bartlett resolutions it was distinctly
stated that the Democratic party wal
the only organization in Shelby county
confronting Radicalism and that tbs
movement was to be made under thai
organization. The Appeal fell into line
with considerable energy and supported
the ticket. We only regretted that thu
Appeal could not lead of. We learr
now, however, that it supported thu
hermaphrodite ticket only as {
choice Of evils and that it cannot b
enticed into such a step again.
We recollect anything about it TIL
executive committee appointed unde
that "hermaphrodite" movement calleC
the mass meeting that met at the Expo
sition building about the llth Of August
1874, and appointed delegates to tn
Gubernatorisl Convention. The dele
gates so appointed we're admitted. POI
ter was nominated and the Appeal sur
ported him. That meeting di
something else. that the Appeal ha
cause to remember: it continued tn
same executive committee and indorse
the Bartlett movement almost unsni
mously, which, we fear, is one Of th
old ssrss to which a~llusion is made
That committee conducted the fall can
psign and is yet in existence; in fac
Shelby county has no other politics
committee outside Of the Republics
party. The Bartlett movement accon
plished a purpose for which the Dem
cratic party had previously struggled !
vain. 1t severed the colored vote /
twain, and at least half Of it can
counted on in future by The Democrat
and Conservative party. Having on,
voted against their leaders, who led the
like blindfolded cattle, and not be-
struck by lightning or incarred the 81
cial displeasure Of heaven, the color
voters begin to think and act for the.
selves. Many Of them will vote fro
principle, as we'll as interest, wi
the Democratic party 10 future. 7
Bartlett movement was not national
its scope, as the Appeal seems TO ha
argued, but strictly a local affair, viii
produced harmony when it was needt
and accomplished all, and more than I
original callers ever expected or hope
1t gave Radicalism the finishing stro
in Shelby county, and we might say
this Congressional District, for its inf
ence was felt in other counties than th
The repeal Of the third clause Of 1
funding act, however, was not q dire
result Of the Bartlett movement. T
people demanded it, and that would ha
been done anyhow. If an indorseme
Of the funding act is a true test
Democracy, we fear Shelby cour
IL hopelessly lost to the party. In all {
intercourse with the people we have I
found any considerable desire for an
crease Of taxation, on any pretext or
msnd for the restoration Of the thi
section of the funding act, which I
Appeal supported and Endorsed as
whole. The Appeal says: I'VE sh
hold q Democratic Convention, as we {
before the election Of Mayor Flippin, a
nominate Democrats" etc. That hi
pened to be q Democratic and Conser,