Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-07-08

II Meets at the Exposition Build
ing this Forenoon.

UutiulhS tulo lOACuOOu w IL U ClOCh
A large crowd attended the collection
of the delegates, filling the galleries il
the end occupied by the convention
1t was noticed that the cOlored ele.
ment were conspicuously absent. A
national flag hung before the stag
and across its folds were the names
Hancock and English.
Mr.. ThOs. Turley was made chair.
man of the convention. A few pre-.
liminaries were INDUCED in, when the
convention proceeded to the nominal
ton of a democratic candidate for the
position Of sheriff for Shelby county.
Mr.. E. L. McGowan was nominated
by Mr.. John johnson; Mr.. p. r.
Athy was also nominated. A lively
time followed, regarding the discus
sion Of the two candidates.
The MCGOWAN men seemed to be in
a majority in the convention, but
Athy's friends made a considerable
amount of noise. The candidates
were called upon to present them
selves before the convention, and give
their pledges in accordance with the
rules of the body.
Mr.. MCGOWAN assembled the plat
form and in a few well spoken words
gave proper expression to his senti-
ments, said he was a democrat, and
would earnestly support the nominees
Of the convention, whoever they might
be. The call upon Mr.. Athy was not
responded to, that gentleman not be-
ing present.
After a good deal Of noise, motions,
counter motions and the like, a recess
Of fifteen minutes was taken to con.
suit with Mr.. Athy and see what could
be done in the premises. The friends
Of Athy claimed that he was tied
down and could not come for
ward. The friends of Mellow
an claimed that like the
gallant gentleman he is, he had vo,un-
tarily offered to release Athy from
pledges, promises, and friendly agree.
ments of all kinds.
Mr.. DuBose, in a somewhat ex-
cited manner made the charge
that Mr.. MCGOWAN could not take the
oath of Office, should he be elected,
without perjuring himself, and he
held a paper up as he spoke, Calls
for Mr.. DuBose to out with it, but he
didnot out just then. During the recess
McGowan's friends exhibited cOnsid,
cradle excitement. As o o as the
convention was called to order this
subject was at once sprung, and
Mr.. DuBose was called upon to
ventilate further. Mr.. DuBose said
he had no personal feeling in the mat
ter, and he had high regard for him.
Mr.. McGowan was and is a candidate
for sheriff. Mr.. Athy was likewise a
candidate. Mr.. MCGOWAN had made
a corrupt compact to get
Mr.. Athy out of the way. A
fraud was practiced on the commu-
nifty. The committee, supposed to be
equal friends of both parties, met and
decided that Mr.. Athy should retire,
and 5000 was paid to cause two Of
Atby's friends to vote him off the
track.
After Mr.. DubOse had made the
foregoing statement, Mr.. McGowan
said he had never made a proposition
of any kind to MI. Athy That it had
been said frequently if both under
took to make the race, a schism
would be made in the democratic
ranks. He had agreed to the proposed
committee of seven friends on both
sides, and he knew nothing of any
money being paid. He certainly had
never paid a dime to Mr.. Athy or any
ofhis friendsto cause him to withdraw,
1t finally settled down that Mr.
John Gum was the man who had
something TO. do with receiving OIL
paying out 5000; Mr.. Gum wal
called upon to explain. Cum
came forward and said: There
was a committee appointed of the
friends Of the two, to decide which
should make the race 1t was agreed
that the expenses up to that TIM
should be paid, but no money hal
been paid yet, that he hat
heard of. He certainly had nevei
received a dollar, and he would
defy any one to show a receipt fol
the same.
Mr.. DuBose reiterated the charg,
Of 5000 having been %corruptly paid /,
some one.
Mr., Athy made a statement il