The Russellville Democrat., 1876-06-01
Letter From H. Clabe Howell.


 EDtroR DEMOCRAT: My attention being called to an article in the DEMOCRAT of the 18th inst, headed "Our County Convention, l deem it my privilege, as well as duty to state what l, with other members of the convention and citizens present, know in regard to the proceedings had on that day. Mir. Baird, of Illinois township, offered the reso. that the delegates to the State Con vention go uninstructed as to casting their votes for the different state officers. Said resolution was then voted upon and adopted. Being one of the delegates to the State Conven- tion previously elected, I asked that the sense of the convention be | taken as to preference between the | several candidates to fill the several state offices. Not as an amendment to Mir. Baird's resolution as appears in the published proceedings. And had the convention so understood 1t they would have certainly first re- considered the vote upon MT. Baird s | resolution. As my motion as you seem to understand it virtually set the action taken upon Mir. Baird s resolution. But l asked this pref erence not to be made a part of the published proceedings of the con- vcntion, and not in the nature of instructions, but to enable the dele gates to act advisedly. And at the time so expressed myself and called the secretary's attention to the fact, and not after the convention as stated in your remarks.
 regard fidelity to my party the first consideration and the promo tion to office of my friends secondary.
 Therefore I did not consider, nor did intend that my motion as made for an expression of sentiment to be construed into instructions or "tan- tamOunt thereto" should oppose any resolution that would destroy the influence, of the delegates. They had as well vote by proxy. Send the instructions to friend R. A. Dewdle or some other man, that is a citizen of Little Rock, and tell him to cast the vote of Pope county, save the delegates the expense of the trip and the modification of knowing that they are regarded as so many cy- phers in the convention.
 l shall insist that we arc unin- structed as to the casting of our votes, left free to select from the many worthy aspirants, men of sound political and moral record, those who will best unite the demo- cratic party and protect the interests of the masses of our fellow citizens. We know not what changes may take place between this and the con vening of the State Convention. The preference to-day may not be the preference then. know par tial change has already taken place in one instance in particular, caused partly by an article in the DEMOCRAT of the 25th inst, headed "Treasury dedication and the suspension of Stoddard Bros. & Co.," taken from the Lewisburg State. Although you did not give the comments of Bro. Stout in full, said comments by Bro. Stout are heartily endorsed by the democracy of Pope county and think they should have been given at length. Sufficient, however, was given to arouse an enquiry by those who desire to place efficient men on- ly at the head of our State govern ment.
 However, I am not of that school which claims that minority shall rule, but shall cheerfully act with the majority.
 With all due respect for the opin- ions of others I will here let this matter rest, and at more appro- priate time we can privately discuss fidelity to friends and party. Your friend, II. GLAZE HOWELL.