Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-05-02
THE COUNTY

full report of the Democratic and
Conservative County Convention,
held at the Exposition building.
Comments were necessarily deferred
until to-day. In one sense there is
little left to be said. The report ex-
plains itself. The notable feature
of the convention was the entire
absence of any evidence that any
part of the proceedings were "cut
and dried" Nothing was positively
understood except that the mem
bers of the press present on duty
would act as secretaries, and hat
the old committee would retire.
After some heSitancy Major George
W. Winchester was called upon to
act as chairman and he presided
with his characteristic ease, readi-
ness and impartiality. He had no
lists of committees in his pocket
and the members of the convention
were not overstocked with ready
written resolutions or p~remeditated
speeches. Indeed, there was very
little talking done. 1t was not a large
convention-numbering about two
hundred citizens-but was a thor
oughlyrepresentative body that had
evidently met for business. There
was an evident determination to
exclude from consideration any and
all matters not german under the
call of the committee. 1t will be
very readily understood then why
resolution offered by Judge Irving
Halsey indorsing the administra-
ton of Governor Porter and pre-
senting his name for denomination
was tabled by a vote of II ayes to
sc nays. Governor Harris instantly
perceived that such a vote would
be misconstrued and moved a re-
consideration. A number of gem
tlemen took occasion to say that they
had voted to table the resolution be-
cause they considered it irrelevant
to the objects Of the convention,
but stood ready to indorse and
heartily support Governor Porter
when the proper time should come.
The clause referring to renomina-
ton was stricken out and the reso-
luton then passed by a unanimous
vote. The convention had not been
called to make or unmake candi-
dates for Governor, although every
one present seemed to be for
Governor Porter. When the time
comes to appoint delegates to a
gubernatorial convention we have
no doubt hal the voice of the Con-
sentative Democracy will find suit
able expression. We have heard no
complaint Of what was done, but
rather an intimation that not
enough was done. The convention
confined its action very properly
within the limits Of the call and
the business regularly before it, to-
wit: the acceptance of the resigna-
ton Of the Executive Committee,
which received its authority under
the Bartlett convention, the APP
pOintment Of a new committee to
serve two years and the selection of
delegates to attend the Nashville
convention on the 31st inst. While
there was much individuality and
independence Of u~tterance, there
was sufficient harmony and deter
mination in a common pur-
pose to make the meeting a
unit upon the live issues be-
fore it. An excellent Executive
committee was appointed. The
city members are mostly young
MEN, who possess zeal, courage and
sound judgment happily combined.
Very few of them have served pre-
viously or figured in politics. The
county delegation is especially
strong and influential. Their
names are a tower Of strength. A
delegation of twenty-one from the
county and thirty-four from the
city was chosen to attend the Nash.
vile Convention, which is called
simply to elect delegates. to the st
Louis Convention. This movemen.
has nothing to do with State o.
county politics at present except il
a change of committees. The re
firing committee, which has as
sumed and discharged unusual re.
sponsibilities, performing more la
Dor and receiving perhaps lesI