Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1878-09-07
Sept. 4. 1878.
Proceedings of the Independent
Convention.

TheIndependent Convention met,
according to adjournment, Monday,
in COuts' hall, and was called to
order by Col. L. l.. Yancey, Chair
man, and Col. Jas. p. Rogers was
appointed Secretary. Delegates
were present from all the districts
in the county except two. The
Chairman addressed the convention
at some length, and with a great
deal of earnestness, stating that the
convention had met to see if the
Independent party could not unite
and harmonic with the Democratic
party; that the convention, in a
previous meeting, Aug. Goth, en-
dorsed the nomination of Hon. A.
S. Marks, and the platform of prin-
ciples adopted by the Democratic
party in State convention, and he
saw no reason why the two parties
should not unite and proceed to
nominate candidate.
Col. Rogers spoke against the con-
templated union, for the reason that
he did not believe that the Demo-
cratic party of Montgomery county
endorsed the State platform, and
moved that the convention proceed
to nominate a candidate for the
Legislature.
J. w. Jones, B. r. Burchett, DIR.
GholsOn and others spoke against
Col. Rogers motion, but after con-
siderable discussion the vote was
taken and the motion defeated. Mr.
Jones moved the appointment of a
n
committee from the Democratic
Convention then in session to ascer-
tain upon what basis the two parties
could unite and harmonic. The
motion was adopted, and the Chair
appointed r. II. McFalI, DR.. J. A.
GholsOn and B. r. Burchett said
committee, and the convention adj
jOurned till O'Clock P. NJ. Upon
the re-aSsembling of the convention
the committee reported conference
with the committee from the Dem
ocratic Convention, and that they
had agreed that both parties should
have equal representation in joint
convention, which proposition was
subject to the ratification of both
conventions. Col. Rogers moved
that the report be received and the
committee discharged. After con-
siderable discussion the motion was
lost. Mr.. Jones then moved that
the committee be instructed to re-
port to the Democratic Convention
that the proposition of the two COM
mittees had been accepted by the
Independents, which motion was
adopted. After retiring a short
time the committee reported that
the Democratic Convention had re-
jected the terms of agreement by
the conference, and were then bal
loting for a candidate. J. p. Rogers
then offered the following:
Whereas, The independent party of Mont
gOmery county has shown its willingness to
accept of any just and fair proposition with
the view of harmOniZing with the Demo-
cratic party of Montgomery county and,
Whereas, The Democratic party in their
convention aSSembl- d, has refused to ratify
the proposition as agreed upon by the two
committees, therefore | now move that this
convention proceed to nominated candidate
to represent Montgomery county in the next
Legislature.
The motion was carried unani-
mOuSly. Nominations were then
in order. J. p. Rogers, after paying
a worthy tribute, nominated Conrad
Frederick, Esq; j. w. Jones nomi-
mated g. II. Slaughter, Esq; S. A.
Wilson, Esq, nominated J. w.
Jones. Col. GhOlsOn, DR.. ]. A.
Gholson, H. H. Mockbee and DR..
c.. A. Wilkins were also put in
nomination. Col. Gholson, DIR.
GhOlsOn and J. w. Jones declined
to allow their names before the
convention. The twO-thirds rule
was adopted. The balloting then
commenced. G. HI, Slaughter re-
ceived forty votes, Frederick nine
votes, Wilkins six votes, and Will
son four votes. Mr.. Slaughter was
declared the choice of the cOnven-
ton. The nomination was then
made unanimous, amidst much en-
thusiasm. a committee of three,
consisting of Col. GhOlsOn, r. H.
McFall and B. r. Burchett, were
appointed to notify Mr.. Slaughter
of his nomination. Mr.. Slaughter
appeared before the convention,
and in a neat and handsome speech
accepted the nomination, returning
thanks for the honor conferred, and
pledging to use his best endeaVOrS
to carry our banner to victory. The
convention then proceeded to select
their central committee for the next
two years. Col. GhOlsOn, Chairman,
r. II. McFaH, w. II. Cummins, j.
w. Roberts, j. p. Rogers and Jas.
Marveety were chosen. The central
committee were empowered to Sc
lect candidates for Senator and
Floater at such time and in such
manner as they deem fit and proper.
b. r. Burchett moved that the city
papers be requested to publish the
proceedings of this convention,
which was adopted. The cOnven-
ton then adjourned sine die.
II. l.. YANCEY, Chm'n.