Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1878-09-07

was the scheme, if still possible, OF
harmonizing with the Indepen-
dents. On the motion of Mr.. Rufus
n. Rhodes then a committee was
appointed to confer with the indie
pendent Convention, consisting of
Messrs. III. G. Merritt, w. Green
and p. Powers. This committee on
its return reported that the indie
pendent Convention by a committee
appointed for the purpose offered
first to unite, on condition that they
might nominate the candidate, the
Democratic Convention agreeing to
vote for their nominee. On the
Democratic committee refusing to
transmit such a proposition as that,
they, after great difficulties made,
agreed to join with the Democratic
committee on condition of having
equal votes with them. 1t was
noted that one of the Independent
committee even admitted that, if
these terms were accepted, the indie
pendent party would not vote for
the nominee unless he were one of
their own men, and there were sew
eral negroes in the Independent
Convention, previously known as
Radical politicians, who openly de-
clared that they would refuse to be
''sold out to the Democrats"
All this being reported, the con-
vention was almost unanimous in
refusing to go into such an arrange
ment, though Mr.. Recorder Jackson
spoke at considerable length in
favor of doing so. Many delegates
said that they would Immediately
retire from the convention if the
measure were acted upon; that they
had been elected by the people of
their district at regularly sum-
mOned primary meeting, and their
constituents had given them no
authority to transfer their votes to
men many of whom were in no
sense Democrats. and none of whom
had been elected by the people. The
proposal therefore of the Indepen-
dent Convention was declined, and
the Democratic Convention pro-
ceeded to its permanent Organiza-
ton. This was Immediately effected
by electing the temporary Chair
man and Secretaries permanently to
the same offices.
Nominations for Representative
were now in order. Mr.. E. Wilcox
moved that nominees and delegates
proposing them should be pledged
to sustain the action of the cOnven-
ton and support the nominee. Car
ried.
Mr.. Rhodes moved the twO-thirds
rule. Carried.
Mr.. Waterman johnson was then
nominated by Mr.. T. M. Atkins,
Mr.. Slaughter by L. Bourne, Judge
Rice by a. j. Lyle and w. S. NAL
lory by E. Shelton.
Some little time was consumed in
ascertaining whether the candidates
would make the required pledge.
All of them did so except Mr..
Slaughter, who Withdrew his name.
Balloting then commenced, in
the course of which other names
were introduced, as will be seen by
the successive ballots:
First Ballot. Johnson, 27 2-lO; Rice, 81 1870;
second Ballot. johnson, &c; Wilcox, 4;
Third Ballot. Johnson, % 9-lO; Wilcox, 10;
Fourth Ballot. Johnson, IL -; Wilcox, l3;
Rice, 81 l-2.
Fifth Ballot Johnson, 10 Is; Wilcox,
: $40; Rice, 81 IL
Mr.. Wilcox now withdrew and
Mr.. Reynolds was nominated.
Sixth Ballot johnson, 20 9-1O; Reynolds,
Seventh Ballot. johnson, 35; Rice, q.
Mr.. Johnson's name was now
withdrawn; he expressed his be-
lief that he could not obtain a two
thirds vote. Upon this a motion
was made that Judge Rice should
be unanimously declared the nOmi-
nee by reclamation. One or two
voices dissenting, convention pro-
ceeded to the
Eighth Ballot. johnson, IL Rice, 81.
y committee was then appointed
to conduct Judge Rice to the room,
who accepted the nomination with
warm acknowledgements, and the
convention adjourned.
We have since been informed
that Mr.. Slaughter is the nominee
of the Independent Convention.
The position of that gentleman is an
unfortunate one. His letter of the
week before last will be remem-
bered, in which he declares his will
lingncss to accept a nomination
from a convention, provided that
convention really represents the
will of the people he declines
nomination from 4 body duly
elected in primary meetings and
accepts one from a body which rep
resents nothing except the Chair
men of District Committees.