The Van Buren press., 1876-09-19
1NNh PCT VT lt,,-l
K. C. NEW TON.
LITTLE Rock, Sept. ii. 1876,

r.. c, NEWTON.
LITTLE Rock, Sept Ia, 1876,
DEAR SIR: Your communication, AS chair-
man of committee purporting 10 be raised
| by resolution adopted BY " the congression-
al convention now in session, a copy of which
Is embodied in 1t. is now at hand. must say
| that your assemblage organized, to-day. Is
not regarded by me rs a convention OF the
democratic party ot the third congressional
district of Arkansas, for the reason that yon
cannot pretend to be the representatives OF
one-half the democrats in it. is not alioWa-
Bile for minorities to control In governmental
affairs in democracy. Thatyou are but the
representatives of the minority of the demoe-
! lacy IN this district the returns OF the late
| election, now on file in the office OF the secre-
tary of state fully attest. Besides this, il you
are not already advised of 1t, | now inform
| you that the dem lcracy of the district by
and through the representatives OF Il maJorl-
| ty of the whole. held its convention for the
selection ola representative in the Forty lfth
congress of the United States, on yesterday,
and by its action. | am he nominee of the
party. 1t is to be regretted that each and
every democrat of the district was not repre-
sented. Such numbers, however, were pres
cnt. through their delegates. that notWith-
standing the county of Polk, out Of the eight
counties represented. voting forJudge Stuart
still the remainder voting for me- were and
are majority of the democrat 5 in the dis
trict. BY the nnalterable principles OF true
democracy and the unyafying raks OF discl-
plne, am already the nominee oi tne pnrty
and n,ust-and uitl,nnt disres peet TO Foa-saa
Till the contest for congress in this district
is over, If, indeed the voice of ma Jon titles cuts
any figure in party discipline and orsaniza-
ton Not being a candidate before your as-
semblage, which you denominate 1.-THE demo
cratic conysntion of the 81 congressional dis
vi inn, iln f,pp To,
draw from .he contest, as You request. Being
candidate only by virtue OF the action ofthe
democratic convention yesterday, | do not
feel at liberty to so far disregard its wishes.
rs by my act to allow your assembldge. mi
nority, to dictate to it, a majority, a standard
bearer. The gentlemen constituting the con-
vention of Yesterday, are at liberty to take
any step approved by their judgment to ward
AN amicable adjustment OF all differences
between my supporters and the supporters of
other gentlemen named. in your assemblage.
! cannot believe that any exist. III d for the
solid reason that | have no supporters in it.
The democrats of the district are the masters
Of matters of discipline and reconciliation
not aspirants; let them act, il any action is
to be had. If there is ANYTHING in my record
that absolutely forbids your support make it
known to the majority nominating me, and
unless your opposition appears to be capt0us
only. reconciliation and harmony viii doubt
less follow. If. indeed pulling me down will
effect it. am willing to die that the party
may live and prosper.
Your obedient servant,
JORDAN f, CRAVENS.
Your committee has done all that could be
accomplished in the direction pointed out by
the resolution uader which we were appoint.
ed and we respectfully submit the result of
our labors to the convention.
G.. WHlTrINGTON. Chairman.
The report was adopted and a recess
taken until I pm.
NIGHT SESSION.
The convention was called to order at
s o'clock by W. d. Blocher. chairman.
The roll was called, and by order Of
the chairman the secretary read the ba-
sis of representation which was to gov
ern the members when a ballot was cal
led.
Mr.. Fletcher moved that committee
Of five be appointed to select a congress
icnal central committee.
The chair appointed on said commit
tee Messrs. Fletcher, Of Pulaski, Crouch
of Clark, Sumpter, of Garland, Green, OF
Perry, and Watson, Of Faulkner.
Mr.. Smithce moved the appointment
of committee on platform and resolu-
| tons.
The chair appointed on said commit
tee MesSrs. Howard, of Pulaski; Beavers
of Saline; Mcmillan, Of Polk, Can't, OF
| Pike, and Gaulding, of Clark.
Mr.. Watson, Of Faulkner, asked leave
to be allowed to retire on account Of i'll
ness, and that John NJ. IIarrelI, of Pulas-
Xxi, be allowed to oreprcsent him by proxy
The question was put to the convention,
and the request granted.
Mr.. Scott, chairman Of the committee
appointed to wait upon the temporary
secretary, Mr.. J. II. Sparks, reported that
he had not yet procured the proceedings
of the early part Of the convention, and
he was allowed further time to negotiate
with the gentleman.
Mr.. Howard, from the committee on
platform and resolutions, made the fol-
lowing report, which was adopted:
Resolved That we hereby ratily and
indorsc the nomination Of Samual J. Til
den and Thomas A. Hendricks as the
democratic standard-bcarers for the pres
idency and vice-proSidency Of the United
States in the approaching election, and
we hereby adopt the platform ofthe con-
venton that nominated those gentlemen,
and pledge the democracy Of the third
congressional disttct to rally as one man
to the support of tcsc nominees and the
principles of reform enunciated in the
platform upon which they stand.
Mr.. Crouch, Of Clark from committee
on district executive committee to serve
next two years, reported as follows
Clark, Adam Clark; Crawford, b. J.
Brown; Franklin, j. l.. Witch; Garland,
J. NJ. Huffman; lbt Spring. H. c. Baker;
Faulkner, Samual Johnson; Johnson, Mo
reau Rose; Montgomery, Granville Whit
tington; Polk, ilavey lludgins; Perry,
]. IL. Green; Pualii, Thos. W. Newton;
Pike, B. ID. Brook logan, IL. r. Withcrs;
Saline, b. b. Beavers; SebaSton, j. IL.
Rogers; Scott, F. .. Gaines; Yell, J. W.
Pond, Report a0pted.
Mr. b. b. Beavrs, OF Saline, presented
the following, which was adopted
Resolved, That tie basis of representation
| for the nomination candidate for congress
for the next electim shall be one vote to- eve
~ 800 votes cast Al the ensminc clro'' g.,
the nominee Of th.conyent,;..n. and one yotc 1f
Tor each '"let'on otl1y; provided, that each
county v entitled o ono vote.