Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-06-01
NASHVILLE CONVENTION.
SOlidity against Divisloa-West Ten.
nesSee Gets One Nominee by
Constitutional Provision
Alone.

NASHVILLE, May 80, 1878.
To the Editor Of the Ledger:
The contest in the judicial convention
is over, and the people Of Tennessee
have been presented with the names Of
Mcfarland aud Deaderick, of East,
Cooper and Turney, Of Middle, and
Freeman, OF West tennessee, for cleo.
ton to the Supreme bench Of the State.
The ticket is a good one and will be
elected almost without opposition from
any source. Mcfarland, Deaderick and
Freeman, Of the present court, have
made regulations as conscientious, labo-
rious and pains.taking lawyers. Turney
has gained envisble repute as a man Of
good common sense, though not over
burdened with a tendency TO either read
or write much in regard to high strung
jurisprudence. Mr.. Cooper, accordingto
the testimony of pretty nearly all the
leading members Of the profession of law
over the entire State, stands at the top.
Some Of us from the Western division,
reasoning upon the fact that our section
stood mex to Middle in superiority of
voting population, and that East Tennes
see stood third and last, had thought that
when the five candidates should be select
ed we would be accorded " of them.
But the little mountain division, aided
oy her central sister, just sit right down
on our hopes aud expectations, and up
they went in an explosion like the over.
heated boilers Of Colonel Sellers Missis
sippi steamboat. For this disaster, how.
ever, we Of West Tennessee are indebted
alone to ourselves. In your editorial of
yesterday you gave the proper solution
aud explanation: while Middle and
East Tennessee are satisfied to compose
two solid divisions, and while each among
these people, in every contest, work with
harmony and fora single purpose, West
Tennessee is continually split into fac
tions, has no unity OF purpose, and each
faction is engaged in opposition to the
other to the extent ef %captious wrang-
ling and bitterness of feeling. Such
a thing as a harmonious caucus
Of the Democratic delegates from
West Tennessee. at any State con-
v%ention, is unknown in the history
and annals of this kind of Assem-.
blages since the adoption Of the last con.
stitution in 1869. On the other hand,
East Tennessee comes down to the CAPT.
tai on such occasions, 10 40 unbroken
and un5resksble column, each county
kowing exactly what the other koows 10
regard to q united purpose they intend
to accomplish 10 the convention. Mid.
die Tennessee is always in the same con.
dition. And when the dozen Of little
factions came up from all portions
of the western district, each with a
little scheme or a little man to
put through, they r simply
laughed at behind their backs and
encouraged before their faces, until the
time TO convert the whole " lay
out" to use an old war phrase, into q
cushion to recline on. Middle and East
Tennessee always maintaining this i'm.
pregnable front, wheel into line when
they wish and sweep the west from the
plains before them. Thus it was in the
recent convention, and thus it was that
our district, second in numbers Of popu
%lation, we're condescendiugly allowed TO
elect but one candidate, when she was
fairly entitled to two.
The delegation from Shelby, following
the general order of things in the other
portions Of the western division, came
here split into solid chunks, and With
that Spartan 6rmness for which Shelby
is distinguished in such matters, she
remained in chunks to the end. She
frequently received storms Of applause
for her unbending mulishhess, and broad
grins Of delight lighted up a sea Of faces
when it was announced that her many
"consults brought forth multiplied dI.
visions. Solomon said, GO learn wis.
dom from the ant" but as a member Of
the convention remarked, IF you wish
to learn the quickest mode by which to
defeat a candidate, just watch the Shelby
delegation"
West Tennessee secured one nominee
for the Supreme beuch only because it
could not be helped. The constitution,
which makes it absolute that each grand
division Of the State shall have one,
alone saved us from utter destruction.
Had it not been so provided in that in
slrumeBt, either Middle or East Tennes.
see would have elected three Judges in.
stead OF two on the FIRST ballot as sure
IS guns iron, LooKER.OY.