Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-08-27
The Radicals Underneath Come on
Top and Play Into the Hands
Of the WOrkingmsn.
Mixed Definitions Of the Term Work.
ingman-A Turbulent Meeting
Succeeds In Organizing.

hundred men were present, w%orkingmen,
that is mechanics, day laborers, saloon.
keepers, a few young lawyers, ward poll.
%ticians, ofice-seekers, old citizens, etc.
1t was a mixed meeting, and even q few
negroes we're in attendance. Mr.. j. E.
Merrimsn, q well-known Republican,
formerly one Of the county commissioners
with Barbour Lewis and others, called
the meeting to order and nominated Mr..
Robert Fletcher, another Republican, as
temporary chairman. This created some
confusion and opposition, and calls we're
heard, "Who is he2" rs he a working.
man2' There was great confusion for
several minutes, but Mr.. Fletcher made
a little talk, saying he had been a car
penter and was now a harness maker.
He was with them, heart and soul. he
did not know what was the object Of the
meeting, but he supposed the greenback
question would be considered. He found
some reputation.
Some one asked, How did you treat
your men when they lost their tools when
your store bSrned up2'
Mr.. Fletcher continued to make his
speech about labor and capital, and
wound up.
THE FIGHT o HI sECRETARYsHIP.
Mr.. William Horgan, a clerk at Men.
ken Bros. dry goods house, was nomi-
mated as secretary. This created more
confusion, and it was asserted that o dry
goods clerk wal not q workingman in
the proper sense.
Mr.. Rawlings was nominated as secre-
tary.
Mr.. - Allen was also nominated as
secretary.
The storm now broke out, aud q score
of questions were asked, as to whether
Horgsn, Rawlins and Allen were work.
ingmen.
John Eicbberg and Tom Kofod made
short talks, but the row continued to
progress. Men crowded around the
chairman, who seemed lost and unable
to control the meeting. Fifty persons
talked at one time and q scene Of disoi'
der prevailed.
Mr.. Rawlins threw oil on the troubled
waters by Withdrawing his lame as a
candidate for the Office of temporary
secretary, and Mr.. Horgan was declared
duly elected. The name OF Mr.. Allen
was ignored and forgotten during the
rumpus. During the contest Mr.. Rawl-
ms made q talk, in which be said he
wanted all workingmen to unite and
throw away Democracy and Republican
lem, aud get up a wo%rkingman's party.
He waited no scalawags or ward politi-
clans, or any of those fellows who shake
your hand on election day, and who
don't know you next day. Mr.. Rawlins,
like many other Irishmen, as he talked
grew more excited, and wound up by
saying that the workingmen when united
would sweep the world. This sentiment
was received with loud cheers and
stamping,
SCRATCH EN-.
Tom Koffod moved 10 appoint one
workingman from each ward 10 select o
chairman and secretary for permanent
organization, which resolution was
amended by appointing three from each
ward. Here confusion reigued again,
and at last the secretary read the list.
AS name after name appeared cries were
heard, Hes no w~orkingmanl' Scratch
him. One gentleman moved that no one
should be on the ticket who was not a
mechanic or day laborer. This resolu.
ton was adopted,
As the liss was being called the name
of Johnny Rourk, the Second ward
councilman, was reached. A storm en-
sued, aud voices cried out, I'VE want no
saloon keepers; they are not working
mcnl" They are no goodl' So Colonel
Rourk was scratched of.
The name of Mike Butler, ex police
man and special deputy constable, crc-
ated another row, and Mikes name was
scratched off. Mike took ofeHse at Tom
Koffod's remarks, and denounced him
in cheerful language, to which Kofod
responded in similar style. A fight
seemed imminent between the two for
some time and the confusion continued
The name of Dick 0'Brien, of the
Fourth ward, was called and be was
scratched, but eventually his nam was
put on the ticket by the secretary and
others.
The name Of All luther, Of the Third
ward, was objected to and he was
scratched, but bis name got on the list
again.
The name Of j. E, B Ill ID, of the
Fifth ward, was objected to and was
scratched out, but subsequently, his name
got on the list.
The name of John b. Randle was OBJ
jected to and was scratched off, cpe OBJ
jector stating that they wanted no " boss
workmen" but they wanted he men
who work under them.
John Rou,h, late member Of The gen.
aral assembly Of The State and nnminee