Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-12-15
TT MUST BE POLITICAL.
So Say the Moving Spirits of the City
Democracy.
In Reference to Our Next Municipal Cam


Meeting Last night and Convention of
Ward and City Democracy Called.
It seems that the moving spirits of the
Democracy have become rather apprehen- f,
siye of the outlook for the municipal cleo !
ton. which occurs the third Saturday in
January, 1882, and, realizing the
fact that two candidates < who
a re known as Democrats, are already an
nounced for mayor, with about dozen
other Democratic candidates talked of, 1t
was deemed very dangerous to the party
interests to let things go on thus any longer.
Consequently a call was made by Capt.
Alex Allison, chairman of the county ex-
ecutive committee, for meeting. 4
The meeting was held last night, in the
room in rear of the County Court Clerks
Office, at the courthouse, there being
pretty full representation, two of the COM
,nitteemen being announced candidates for
mayor.
Captain Alex. Allison was called to the
chair. and Alex Summers elected secretary.
It was first decided to sit with closed doors,
but objection was made, and the proceed
ings were looked i'll upon by several out
sders. lsass - s&s@
The first business of any consequence was
the Offering of resolution by Alderman T.
T. Mackey, a committeeman from the
7th ward, providing for the hold
ing, by Democrats of conventions IN
the several wards to select delegates to a
general convention of Democrats to take
into consideration the question of nomina-
ting Democratic candidate for Mayor.
! The resolution was seconded by NJ. d.
Sullivan and called forth considerable dis
/ cussion-
Jas. O'Conner opposed the shape in which
the resolution was put, and favored gen.
eral convention of voters.
f. A. Moses spoke III favor of the resolu-
ton, and wanted to let the convention de-
eide the matter. He was for running a
party ticket He said it is no use trying to
avoid it, for the Republicans always take up
either a sofi-shell Democrat or a RepubE-
cam and make it party fight.
! Samuel Mckinney said the Democrats
may as well take the bull by the horns and
have party fight for it is inevitable. The
wires are already at work, he said. Con-
i sequently he moved to amend the resolution
to the effect that the convention also select
Democratic candidates for aldermen in the
various wards
Mel. H. Dickson, candidate for mayor,
opposed the resolution, and wanted the
question decided in the present meeting.
P T. Mackey, mover of the resolution,
said the amendment of Mr. Mckinney
would work disastrously to the party. He
said no one will dispute the fact that
the Republicans are likely to elect a
mayor, with SO many Democrats out, but by
no means must they be allowed to wrest the
board from Democratic rule. The objects OF
this convention, he said, were more to heal
all differences, and have the party in better
shape for the August elections.
portion of the executive committee hai
any right to call such a meeting as this, but
as it is called the thing to do is to settle th'
matter at once and be through with it.
S. G. Heisken didn't think the portion OF
the committee had the right to take amy &C
ton, but was in favor of immediate action
Mr.. Mckinney, at this interval, Withdrew
his amendment with reference to selectin.
: aldermen.
> The reading of the resolution was called
for and Secretary Summers read as he ha,
: taken it down, the object being for tn
, , consideration of municipal affairs"
Mr.. Mackey said that was not the way b
put it. He said to consider the questio
of nominating a mayor"
: Jas. O'Conner said as the resolution is, h
g would unequivocally and emphaticall
vote against it, but if it is made to provid
3 explicitly for square-out Democratic nom
i nation, then he will vote for it.
.. W. j. Ramage favored the idea of war
e meetings, and attempted to explain that til
e resolution meant the same thing Mr. O'Cor
4 ner wanted.
! Thos L. Moses thinks there ought to b
an organization of the party, and if goo
Democrat can be found to run for mayo
I he can be elected.
Chairman Allison believes in calling
4 spade spade, and said the meeting ougl
TO decide at once that it win call Dem,
cratic convention, or say that it won't.
r S. g. Heiskell, having in view the ehai
f mans suggestion, moved to lay Mackey
resolution ON the table. The motion wi
lost by vote of II to 3, Messrs Dickson
;, Heiskell and O'Conner voting to table.
f. A. Moses wished to add a remarl
> classify" The resolution calls for CONVEX
ton. That's all the meeting has right
do. 1t can't say whether the conventie
+ shall or shall not make anomination.
T MIR. O'Conner asked if the convention,
h to be strictly Democratic.
T.. L. Moses said it will be Democrat
but they will not exclude any Republican
+ who want to act with them
S The resolution of Mr. Mackey was the
H. put to vote, and prevailed, with three
re four dissenting votes.
is Still another reading of the resolutis
y was called for, and the secretary was i
st structed to correct it as Mr.. Mack,
IT stated it.
Mr.. Dickson wanted to know about Il
admission of Republicans as delegates
u the convention. 4'-@ +-l- ~
10 On motion of j. P. Murphy, it was d
SO cided to hold the ward meetings next Mo
day night, December 18th, at Z. O'Clock.
select delegates.
IS. On motion of III. ID. Sullivan, the date
4 the