Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-01-07
''Here We Come, Dash Our Fool
SOuls---SOmebOdy Head U.s."
Special to the Courier. Journal


NASHVILLE, January 4.-The pro-
ceedings in the Tennessee legislature
to-day were characterized by the usual
democratic laundering. Not satisfied
with the disaster of yesterday, the
democrats to-day seemed to be head
less and completely demoralized.
IN THE SENATE.
Fourteen democrats, or one more
than necessary to organize that legis-
latiye branch, FILTERED the entire day
away by falling to agree upon a man
for speaker. Indeed, once, by not
watching their balloting, and by play
ing Smart Alexis in complimenting
republicans with their votes, a repub-
lican came within two votes Of being
elected speaker.
IN THE HOUSE
the democratic management was IKE
cradle. Notwithstanding the fact
that McKenna (rep.) ard Warren
(greenbacker) voted for Wade (dem.)
for clerk every time, the democrats
refused to unite on him, and he was
finally beaten by w. Fl. Pickering, of
Smith county, a republican. II. b.
Haynie, a democratic representative
from Smith county, cast the vote that
elected Pickering, and his reasons for
so doing were of purely a personal ma.
ture. 1t seems that the wife of Pick
ering had been raised in Haynie's
family.
The defeat of Wade disgusted
the democratic portion of the lobby,
and they retired in disorder.
THE CONTEST FOR ASSISTANT CLERK
narrowed down between Mathes IRE
publican) and Burnett (~democfat).
On the fourth and fifth ballots each
gentleman received 81 votes, Warren
(greenbacker) voting with the demo-
Gratis. Just about the time the
chances were all in favor Of the cleo
ton of Burnett, w. l.. Goss, the float
ing member from Cumberland, James,
Meigs and Rhea jumped the track and
voted for Il. II. Mathes, of McMinn
county, eleetlng MIN.
IT Is SIMPLY AMAZING
that these things will occur, but it
only goes to show that the democratic
party Of Tennessee is in a hopelessly
demoralized condition, and drifting
along without rudder or compass. The
republicans have now complete pos
session Of the house, and the low tax
and state credit democrats in the
senate can not harmonic upon a
speaker. Thus bad begins and worse
remains behind. l do not intend to.
abuse the democrats for their action
to-day; it would do no good, and be-
sides | am a stranger in a strange land.
unquestionable to me, for | have been
educated in an entirely different
school of politics. My teaching has
been to vote for a democrat at all
times and under all circumstances. I
discover that several of the democratic
members Of the legislature are more
magnanimous and independent, and |
presume it is all owing to how a man
is raised. Fortunately or unfortu-
nately, | was raised on democracy,
and with all the blunders and reverses
of the party advocating democratic
principles, | sort Of like it.
If the past two days are any index,
it is
ABSURD TO SUPPOSE
that the democrats will electa United
States senator. All is chaos now, but
the darkest kour is just before day,
and a change may come over the
democrats. Il will be two weeks
from to-day before the balloting for
senator commences, and in the mean
time the democrats may be brought to
see the vast Importance Of the occa-
sion. Reason may assume its sway in
their divided and distracted debt
ridden minds, and the state Of the i'm
mortal Andrew Jackson may yet send
a good, pure man to the senate to ad-
yocate the great principles Of the
democratic party.
GOVERNOR MARKS
is busy upon his message tonight. Il
is said to be an admirable and com.
prehensiye document, imparting i'm.
portant aud valuable information upon
state affairs. q. o. S.