Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-27

both delegations, and give each three votes.
The circumstances in that Congressional
Convention were somewhat different. We
hear talk of harmony, and of the posi-
bility of an Independent candidate, but the
question for US is to consider: Is 1t righty
Is 1t good policy? He thought the admis'
sion of the delegates from the st. An
drew's Hall party would be setting bad
precedent, opening the doors to future
In principle, but injurious In pol
icy. Three gentlemen who had
been named on the St. Andrews Hall
ticket had been regularly nominated at the
meeting of the Democracy, and had had
their credentials properly certified to and
attested, and had accepted the same. There
is no use Of talking Of compromise; there is
no room for compromise. They were the
regularly elected organized Democratic
delegation, and should without question be
Mr.. Abrams said that the delega-
ton which he had the honor to
represent revered and respected the
name of Hon. Rufus E. Lester in as great
degree as did the other delegation, but they
did not propose to farm on his reputation as a
delegation. In the nominating committee
OF twenty-five there were men who were
DISTINGUISHED, and he did not propose
to let such parties administer upon
his vote.
Mr.. Adams inquired II It was intimated
that a man was not a good Democrat be-
cause he was not registered.
Mr.. Abrams replied that he ldid not so
consider any one who had neglected an
important duty.
Mr.. Adams-Were all who participated in
the ST. Andrews Hall meeting registered
Mr.. Abrams-Every one of them.
Mr.. Adams-There were some who left
the Theatre who were not even citizens.
Mr.. Russell and others-Name them.
Mr.. Adams-I do not know them, but
understood that a number Of them were
Canadians.
Mr.. Abrams, continuing, said he would
scorn the imputation that had been cast
upon the Democracy of the delegation he
represented No matter who was the nomi-
nee of this convention they would go for
him heartily. He made some remarks in
reference to the resolution adopted at the
mass meeting at the Theatre indorsing Mr..
Meldrim, and said that though the effort
was made to construe 1t into instructions,
he was convinced that some Of the dele
gates from that meeting did not so regard 1t.
His delegation we're not boilers, and at the
election for Congressman in November it
would be seen what their Democracy was.
The present matter was a mere local issue.
ntical convention he had ever attended. He
was no politician and had no set speech to
make. He had not thought that the emer-
gency would have arisen to render 1t neces-
sarY for him to say anything. Perhaps the
best friends he had would support Mr.. Rus
sell and his side in the contest in Chatham
county, but this was no time to consider
personal friendships, but what was right.
His name was on the ticket with
Mr.. Russell's which was presented
at the Theatre, and he was friend OF Mr..
Russell. He endeavored always to do what
was right and proper, and In his present
actions was actuated by that motive. Mr..
Adams and Mr.. Abrams had presented the
claims Of the respective delegations, and
there was little more to be said on the
matter. When he was nominated he re-
ceived telegram from friends in Macon,
stating that they would stick
to him, right or wrong; but he
was not on that line, hewas DESTROYS of
doing what was right. He attended the
meeting at st. Andrews Hall, and was OPP
posed to the move to adjourn to the Thea
tire he did not think the motion was car
ried, and did not think they should have
gone. They should have remained. but hav-
ing gone, they should have abided the re-
suit. They went to the Theatre
and participated ia that meeting.
He did not think the substitute for Major
chWarZ's motion was carried, but the de-
cisiOn Of the Chair was to the contrary, and
when Mr. Russell and his friends left the
building they virtually admitted the
correctness of that decision. He had gone
to st. Andrews Hall, and had accepted the
nomination there, but subsequent reflection,
and for reasons best known to himself, he
had declined. So far as the remarks
about the small crowd that
had retired to the nall, he wonld say
it was a very large crowd, probably four
hundred, and many of their friends had re-
NAMED at the Theatre. He would not say
now that he would vote for the ticket nomi
mated at the Theatre, but on the day of the
election, he would vote as he thought right,
and reserved that privilege. There was,
however, no question as to the right of the
delegation elected at the Theatre to seats In
this body; he could not see how the conven-
ton could colscientiously admit the dele
cation from st. Andrews Hall.
Mr.. Russell thanked his young friend for
the remarks he had made. He had said
that at the meeting at st. Andrews Hall he
did not believe that the motion to adjourn
to the Theatre suggested by the Chairman
was carried, or that the substitute was
adopted at the Theatre. The speaker said
that for himself he believed that his side
was sustained by a large majority of the
voters at that meeting In both wings
OF the Democratic party. He had
attempted to speak, when he was told by
the Chairman to sit down, and he said to
himself, "My God, is this the Demo.
cratic party for which have worked from
early manhood to old age?" He was dazed
by this, and then, Withdrawing with his
friends, said, ave will meet you at the
ballot box" and the 4th of October will
show who are the true Democrats Of Chat
ham county.
Mr.. G. H. Morgan, of Effiugham, here
moved that the Committee on Credentials
go into session, and the delegations retire,
which motion was adopted, and In few
minutes the warehouse was cleared.
THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.
After recess OF about half an hour the
convention was called to order, and the
committee submitted the following report:
"We, the committee appointed to inves-
tigate the contested case from the county
of Chatham, beg leave to submit the fol-
lowing report, to wit: That both OF said
contesting delegations be admitted and al
lowed to cast the six votes for Chatham
county; that is to say, that each delegation
be allowed to cast three votes"
Major Ryals here arose, and said It was
the first time in his life that the issue had
been made where he found himself placed
In the position Of bolter. For thirty years
he had labored in the cause of Democracy,
and he expected to work in the ranks the
remainder of bis life. The leader Of this
disconnected element in Chatham county
had Withdrawn from the Theatre and def
antly said he would meet US at
the ballot box, and yet he meets US with
his friends in an adjoining county and con-
tests our rights to admission to this conven-
ton as the legally elected delegates of the
Democratic party. He was friend of Col.
Russell, the leader OF the st. Andrews
Hall party, and he was sure that they
could trust him Major Schwarz was his
friend; SO was Mr.. O'Connor. With
out discussing these matters, let us look at
this report. WHAT is the practical result
but to give ~ votes to the St. Andrews
Hall delegation, and ~ to the Theatre
delegation Is It right, equitable, or could
the convention think that his delegation
would submit to 1t ? 1t was not right; it
was not fair, and the delegation could out
refuse to participate in the proceedings |
further,
Msjor Ryals made manly and earnest |
speech, regretting the issue that had been |
forced upon them, but plaRking himself |
on the Democratic platform Of |
right and principle.
Mr.. Russell said the gentleman was mis-
taken; that the report OF the committee |
gave three votes to each delegation, and |
that no issue should be raised.
Mr.. Adams said that this was temporary |