Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-12-09
MANNINo-cHALM

AN INFORMAL CONFERENCE OF THE con-
gREssIoNAL FRIENDS OF THE FORMER.
WARRINGTON, December g. Tuesday
night an Informal conference of the congress
sional friends of Mr. Manning, of Missis-
sippi, was held to determine what course he
should take in regard TO the certificate OF
election over Chalmers, which the governor
OF Mississippi offers him. The Mississippi
delegation, all OF whom were present, agreed
that Manning, for the sake of the Demo-
cratic party, ought to decline The certificate.
Northern and Western Democrats who were
present thought he ought to accept. They
thought it would save the governor embar
rassment. III Manning should decline the
certificate, the governor could not very well,
having Just declared Manning entitled 10 it,
turn around and offer it to Chalmers. Then,
if he should declare the election null and
the seat vacant, Chalmers might refuse to be
bound by the decision and contest the seat
before Congress. 1t is a question, too,
whether, if The seat was given to Chalmers,
Manning would not have good grounds Of
contest. The conference advised non-sction
Sor few days. Manning has thirty days in
&hich 10 decide what he will do. Should
the contest be prolonged it is understood
that Chalmers, who is not rich, will be given
a good fat Office here, whose income wi
comfortably support him and his family un-
Ill the matter Is settled.
Another account says: There was con-
ference Tuesday night of about fifteen lead
ing Democrats of the Senate and House 10
consider the case of Mr. Manning, of Missis-
sippi. As far as can be gathered, this con-
ference was not at the solicitation of Mr..
Manning. 1t will be remembered, however,
that Manning stated, when it was announced
that a certificate Of election had been issued
to him, tnat he would pursue no course
with regard to the matter that would
tender to embsrrass his party. 1t is pos
sible that while he does not shirk
auy responsibility, he is not altogether
satisfied as 10 what he ought to do. The
conference included all the Democratic
members of the Mississippi delegation 10
Congress, and large majority, if not all, oil
the delegation entertained the view that
Mr.. Manning ought to refuse the certificate
and leave the governor 10 act as he thought
best. AS matter OF fact, Manning has
never had the certificate in his possession
The Northern and Western members of The
conf renee were not unanimous in theii
views, but the majority opinion was, that il
was best that Manning should take no steI
toward refusing 10 accept the certificate al
present. They aaid the certificate came
to him legally, and that the governor
| and secretary OF state could not have
| legally withheld it from him, if they
had desired. They thought il was better fol
| Manning to hold the certificate and lei
Chalmers make contest for the seat, with
the understanding that his right to the seal
| should not rest on the certificate, but on bis
claim that he received more legal votes thar
Chalmers. Mr.. Manning has already stated
that he would not rest mis- right to the sea
| on the certificate. The question was raised
| in the conference whether the governor coulC
Issue the certificate TO Chalmers If Man
ming did not accept it, and If he die
whether Manning could become a contestant
1t was thought, however, that If Man
ming did not accept the certificate, th'
| governor would order new election. Ii
case of new election it was agreed tha
| Chalmers would not be a candidate, bu
would claim the seat on the election OF las
fall and continue 10 contest il. In whateve
| light the matter was viewed it presentet
complications. The conference finally brok
up without reaching any conclusion, e1cep
| that it was better for Manning TO do nothing
at present. He has thirty days in which Il
answer Chalmers's notice Of contest Their
is a report that Chalmers, not being finan
cially well fixed, will be offered an othc
| he oontast