Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-02-12

NECESSITY FOR THE REORGANIzA-
TI0N OF TER DEMOCRATIC AND
CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF sHRLBY
COUNTY.
The August election is one Of unusual
importance. Under our constitution
another like it cannot occur for eight
years. TIE judges Of the Chancery,
Criminal, Circuit and Bartlett Courts,
unless otherwise provided BY a constitu'
tional convention, and unless they die,
resign, or are otherwise removed, will
hold until 1885. The attorney general
of the Criminal Coutt Of Shelby county,
aud the attorney general of the Bartlett
Court also hold for eight years. The
County Court clerk, the county Register,
the Criminal and Circuit Court clerks,
and the clerk of the Bartlett Court hold
four years, or until 1882. The sheriff
and trustee hold only for two years. So
it appears at a glance that this is an un'
usual election. Besides all these places
to be filled blythe people at the same time
the judges of the Supreme Court, FIVE in
number, are to be elected, by all the PEG.
pie. That is, the people Of Shelby coun.
ty, for instance, vote for the Supreme
judges to be chosen from the other grand
divisions Of the State as we'll as for those
from West Tennessee. The fact cannot
and need not be disguised hat in Shelby
county the elements which have in many
former elections co.operated and won
victories under the name and organiza-
ton of the Democratic and Conservative
party are decidedly divided. The rea.
SOM and the causes need not be enumer-
ated, but the fact is here admitted that
many Of our best and most intelligent
Democrats very recently protested EN-
phatically and successfully at the ballot.
box against local party management.
The best Of political and personal friends
differed in the late municipal canvass as
to party usage and neal employed.
When it was over the result was cheer.
fully acknowledged, and all evidence Of
feeling passed away. But nothing has
been done in a formal manner to bring
the separated factions together; there
has been no expression to give assurance
that we are sufficiently united to 20 into
the next canvass, which will be inaucu.
rated soon after Mardi.G ras with strong
hopes OF success. Believing that
the masses desire oil possible civil
service reform and to see only
men of the highest capacity and
worthy of the fullest confidence elevated
to office, we earnestly invoke the hsr-
monious action Of the classes most in
terested. As a practical move, which
shall give general satisfaction and re-
move all causes Of complaint and give
all who have in times past CO -operated in
such elections as that conducted un.
der the Bartlett movement, al equal
chancs, we would submit the following
proposition as a suggestion: Let the
County Democratic and Conservative
Executive Committee submit its resigna-
ton to o mass meeting, of which due no.
tice shall be given. and let the members
of the business committee" which con.
Quoted the late independent city move.
ment, aud the Werkingmen's central
committee unite in calling upon the PEG.
pie to attend this mass meeting for the
purpose Of selecting II new executive
committee. The present committee has
served out the time for which it was
originally selected in May, 1876. II
worked faithfully through two most i'm.
portant and exciting campaigns, and i,
entitled BY virtue Of good service to with
draw in favor of fresh aud enthusiastic
men who can afford and are willing tC
give some time and service for the public
good. Without consulting any member
of either committee we recommend thest
preliminary steps which both sides cat
accept without compromising 0ny prin
ciple or pride Of consistency. The pres
ent committee was originally chosen 0
a mass meeting called by a former com
mittee and held at the Exposition build
log GU the 6rst Of May, 1876. Let thi
committee, which has labored SO efficient
Iy aud successfully, pursue the liberal
admirable course of its illustrious prede
cessor under the Bartlett movement aut
the best elements Of Shelby county vii
organize another movement, which viii
crystaiize into a grand success for goot
local government and spread It's ipHu
srce far and wide. Those who supported
respectively the three different caudi
dates for mayor in the late election hav,
no separate or special interest ia which
tho rest do GOT share; ell have a common
interest in the general welfare. We say
let the mass nesting DO held aud th.
party again brought together.