The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-21
DEMOCRAT INTERVIEWED
he THINKS THE PARTY SHOULD
BE PURIFIED.
Conventions in the Interest Of the
People Rather Than the
Politicians.

the ranks, yesterday, to all APPEAL
men. "You have given old War
Ho-se pretty free play and have cried
the views Of Derby hat Republican
pretty freely.
"All ia fish that comes to my net"
was the reply. "Those things are
given as news, pure and simple, and
have nothing to do with the
politics OF the paper. And you are a
little too fast. anyway. 0 d War
Horse is Democrat, and has been all
bis life. He may have rubbed some
Of the moss flom his back, but If 90 it
was because public sentiment de-
manded it, and he was wise enough 10
see it. But your suggestion is good
one, and, as your Democracy has
never been doubted, suppose you
turn your political battery loose"
"And you will print what say"
Perhaps"
"rhen you cal begin by quoting
me as saying that all this talk about
divorcing politics from county affairs
is the veriest rot. The main hold o.
every political party is in organiza-
ton. You must begin at the begin
ming. The party should put a ticket
in the field, with every maine upon 1t
from dog catcher to Supreme Judge,
not only free from any faint OF heresy
but men recognized for their party
services. The last provision might be
omitted when Judges are nominated,
but they should at least be known as
faithful and true 10 patty doctrine.
Such course is calculated to solidisy
the party, and in unity lies strength.
Such a course in county affairs is abb
solutely necessary before we can hope
to accomplish anything in State and
national affairs. 1t is but step from
one 10 the other. tell you it is dam
geious to hirt with the enemy"
"You think, then, that the Demo-
cratic party is safe in the hands OF the
present machine and that the thing 10
do ia to fight it out on the old line"
mo, don't think anything Of the
kind. Machinery is necessary, but
by all means let us have new ma
chine. No amount of cleaning will
put the old one in condition. 1t has
broken down too many times; it has
too many loose cogs and is altoge ther
in 80 dilspidated q condition that the
public has lost confidence in it. The
time is ripe for a change, and COM
plete one is absolutely necessary il the
party would hope for success in Au-
gust. When l say the party mean
nearly every man in the county Of
Shelby who has anything at stake
either property or eelt-respect
to lose. For some time past they have
been growing more and more dis
gusted. Year after year the conven-
tons have been growing more and
more disreputable, simply because a
few ward politicians, in order to ac-
complish their own private ends, have
done all they could to keep decent
men away from the primaries by hold
ing them in back rooms Of saloons and
worse hog pens. The better half, to
the delight of the gang, kept away, and
they had full swing. The result has
been a general apathy in the Demo.
cratic party, and success has only been
achieved after the most tremendous
effort. One or two more campaigns
in the old style will give Shelby county
completely over to the Republicans"
why, you talk like second War
HoIee."
"Oh, l am with him there. In
the first place we must have man
to hold the election whose name will
be a guarantee of good faith, man
we'll known in business circles for his
integrity, one who has something al
stake. Then we want q new execu
tive committeeman that the existing
committee is not all it should
be, but because the signs oil
the times point to the absolute
necessity for a change. Start in on
the right foot and sufficient number
OF the best men in the community
will be willing to serve. But they
must first be convinced that the move
ment in the interest Of reform is 6
genuine one. 1t will be difficult, but
1t can be done. Then the primaries To
elect delegates to the convention
should be held in daylight, and on toe
open street rather than in saloons
Let the Executive. Committee keeI
the location of the polling-places be
fore the public, make them respecta,
BILE, keep the buns away, and
you will get a convention who
will have the best interests o.
the community at large at heart
not collection OF men who have Ger
tain faults which they would hide
from the public eye, convention ben
upon nominating judge who viii
have his weather eye upon the mar
chance, an Attorney General with {
blind side, a tax collector who will
skip an entry now and then. Put ou
ticket composed of the best possible
material, light your camp fires in thu
hills, boom your artillery all along the
line, make hot, aggressive campaign
and victory is assured"
"That sounds we'll"
st is the only way to do ii, tel
you. Machinery is necessary, but lie
us have a new machine, run in the in
terest Of the people and not solely TO
the benefit OF the politicians"
Perhaps you have made up you
mind about ticket"
"No, have not. 1t is a long tim
off yet, and no man should be foolis
enough to commit himself to the fire
man out because he seems to be
pretty good one. A better may offe
tomorrow or next week"
"You have heard some names mer
toned, however,"
ooh, yes. There's Judge Elicit
for instance. 1t may be that bette
man can be found for chancellor, br
don't know about it. He would NJ
ask any living man to vote for him
the more to his credit-but | have
from very good authority that If non
mated be would serve, though wit
reluctance. There will be some diti
Guilty in obtaining candidate for Ci
cult Court clerk, but OF all the nam'
mentioned so far Tom Scruggs strike
me most favorably. He is quiet an
} unassuming, but a close student; hs
! logical mind, and enjoys the respe
! and confidence OF the ei
. tire bar. II ia hard
pick the beat man for
. torney-geneIal. Peters has bee
before the public for some time al