The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1882-08-31
REPUBLICAN COUNTY CONVEN-
TON.
THE STRAIGHTOUTS GET THE NEAT AN
THE LIBERALS THE BONES.

The Republican county convention met
in Halifax last Saturday and was called
to order by J. T. Gregory; chairman
Republican County Elk. Committee. He
stated the object of the meeting and that
it was gratifying to him to see such an
outpouring of the Republicans of Halifax
county. It showed that they had work
to do and intended doing it. He coun-
seled harmony and concert of action.
The roll Of Townships was called and
the delegates passed their credentials to
the secretary. after which the permanent
organization was perfected by the election
of j. I. Gregory chairman, j. Il. Ham
mon and R. J. Lewis, secretaries. Mr..
Gregory on taking the chair stated that
he felt complimented by the honor the
convention had conferred upon HIM, it
afforded him pleasure to preside over such
vast assemblage of the citizens of good
old Halifax county.
There was considerable wrangllng as to
what part of the business the convention
should first take up, finally, however, it
was agreed to commence at Superior
Court Clerk and come down through the
list of county officers.
1t was announced that J. c. L. Harris
Secretary of State Central Elk. Commit
tee was in the Convention and wished to
address it for fifteen or twenty minutes.
There were loud calls for Harris Harris
He arose and stated that he was sent
there by the Chairman of the Republican
Elk. Committee to impress upon the con-
vention the importance of recognizing the
liberal element of the Democratic party
of N. C. He wanted the liberals to have
some position on the county ticket to con-
tradict the assertions made in the west
that the negroes of the eastern counties
were drawing the color line. Jarvis's
III 900 would beat Buckston's $4,000
and unless some thing could be done North
Carolina would remain in the hands OF
the Democrats. Malone had tried this
plan in Virginia, had triumphed last year
and would triumph again. He said that
this element was composed of such men
as Reid, Clingman, Day and others, who
had renounced their allegiance to the
Democratic party. That they would all
be Republicans before the campaign ended
and in November, if the vote was counted
as cast, the State would 60 Republican
by $4,000 majority and Bourbon democra
cy would be buried so deep that the hant
of resurrection could never reach it. HI
thought they could infuse new blood il
the party by this move and save the State
| At this juncture delegate wanted tx
know what action the State Elk. Commit
tee had taken in regard to the Hubbs-
O'Hara matter. He stated that they hat
not taken any action against O'Hara, tina
he 70 'Hara) was entitled to the nomination
as matter of recognition, those were hi
views of the policy Of the convention.
Nominations now being in order, j. T
Gregory was nominated by acclamstio,
for Superior Court Clerk. r. J. Levi
for Sheriff by reclamation. J. H. Ham
mon and James Allen were put in nomi-
nation for Register Deeds. Aliens nam,
was withdrawn and Harmon was nomi
mated by reclamation. He returned
thanks to the convention for the honor o
being the first colorcd man ever nomina
ted for Register Deeds in Halifax county
W. H Day, L. W. Bachelor, E. I. Clarl
and E. D. Browning were put in nomina
ton for Treasurer. Days name wa
withdrawn, and on the first ballot Clarl
was nominated; but there was a motion
to reconsider, upon the ground that tn
Office twas worth but little to the Repub
licans,'' they could put liberal in the of
flee and thereby gain the good fellowship
of their western brothers, without an,
danger to themselves. And this is thu
way liberals are treated by Republicans
given an Office that is not worth much. ,
There was considerable confusion when tn
motion to reconsider was made, but j
finally prevailed and E. D. Browning wa
nominated as the Liberal candidate TO
Treasurer. j. H. jenkins was nominated
for Coroner, w. C. Daniel for Surveyor
J. I. Reynolds, John G. Jones, Andrew
jackson and J. J. Goodwin were place,
in nomination for the Senate. Richar,
Higgs in placing the name of Goodwin
before the convention stated that G. wa
white man and he wanted to send hin
to Raleigh to show to the west that tn
eastern negroes had not drawn the colo
line. Goodwin was elected on first bal