The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1888-03-29
SOLID FOR Bob
THE BATTLE OPENS IN HAMBLEN
COUNTY,
Proceedings Of the Convention.


venti0n ever held in the county, al
though only three or four days notice
had been given to the people.
The convention was called to order
by DR.. J. H. McClister, chairman OF
the county committee, and an anti
Bob Taylor man. The anti-Taylor
men nominated VIM. Mcfarland for
permanent chairman, and the Taylor
men nominated DR.. Z. j. Belts, The
point was made that the vote should
first be taken on the name OF DR.. Bet
tbs as he was last put in nomination.
The chairman overruled the point, and
decided that the name OF Mr.. McFar-
land should be voted on first. Tellers
were called for TO count the vote, and
the chairman appointed Jno. +.
Helms, Jr., W. A. Jones, DR., Speck
and Mr.. Milligah, three of whom were
strong anti-Taylor men, The hall was
crowded, and few Republicans and
visitors had to stand up, and when the |
Mcfarland men rose to be counted |
the point was made by Col. J. NJ.
Bewley, a Taylor man, that the tellers
were counting some who had no right
to vote, and demanding that the Nc
Farland men take one side of the hall
and the Belts men the other and
that those not entitled 10 vote be re-
quired to go 20 the rear OF the hall
This was bitterly opposed by W. s.
Dickson, the leader Of the anti-TaylOr
men, and others, who demanded that
the vote be proceeded with as it had
commenced. The chairman decided
with dickson, and ordered the count
to proceed. The tellers reported l66
votes for NJ Farland, The Belts men
were then requested to stand up to be
counted. The three anti.Taylor tel
| lers reported 20S votes for Belts, but
Mr. w. A. Jones, the other teller, re-
ported 351 votes TOR Belts The anti
Taylor men, as soon as the vote was
announced by the tellers, raised the
cry that parties had voted who had no
right to vote. The only man they
named was Attorney General Camp
bell OF the first circuit, who was stand
ing in the rear OF the hall an interest
ed spectator. After good deal OF
wrangling and fuss on the part OF the
anti Taylor men, the chairman restored
order and declared that DIR. f. ]. Belts
had been fairly elected permanent
chairman ef the convention. DR.
Belts took the chair and after a short
speech announced the next thing in
order the election OF secretary. The
election resulted in the selection o.
Mr.. Foster Whitesides. AS soon as the
announcement was made John 4
! Helms, Jr., moved that the conven
ton adjourn. For a lew minutes
there was great confusion, and it wa
evident that the anti-Taylor men Wer'
f. trying to break up the convention
| Mr.. Dickson first and then Mr. Nc
! Farland took the platform, and despite
the ruling OF the chairman that
5 motion to adjourn was not debatable
> proceeded to harangue the convention
for some time. Finally Mr.. Mcfarland
g declared that owing to the presence
e of parties from other counties, and the
: penitentiary officials, they could not
have fair convention, aud invited al
a who believed as he did TO withdraw
!. Thereupon about seventy-tive men go'
y up and left.
t AS soon as order was restored, Col
o. G. King arose and stated that h
8 very much deprecated the fact tina
s about onefth OF the convention hat
r seen fit to withdraw from its delibera
!. tiuns..' He stated that it WAS vel
h known how. he felt in regard to tn
h gubefnatoriRl contest, (Col. King ha
i been opposed to Gov. Tsylor,) but tina
t, as Democrat he was always willinl
to bow to the will of the majority. II
n counseled harmony, and at the clos
e OF his eloquent. speech the convention
(. proceeded to appoint a committee t.
: select delegates, and u committee oI
d resolutions. A. long list OF delegate
!. was selected, and the committee re
ported the following resolutions,whicI
a were adopted with great enthusiasm
l. WHEREAS q convention OF the Democracy {
h the State of Tennessee has been called TO met
! in Nashvil lie the 9th day Of May next.
10 Be il Resolped By the Demoeaass aoU in CoaVei
tiun Assembled, 1st That we rcafhrm our all
J. glance to the time.honored doctrines of u
y Democratic party as expounded and applied
q. our government by the fathers of the republ
and their successors through the various admit
" istrstions down to the present time.
G. End Thai VIC recognize In Grover Cleveland
brave and patriotic Chief Magistrate, with cor
mon sense to direct and the courage to EXPIRE
he his honest convictions. Regarding his sdni
1. istration as enlnentiy sound and conssrvss.y
we. favor his denomination and reelection,
- sfd That as East Tennesseesns we feel no
d ored iii having one OF our tellow-citizens occ
If plying the exalted position OF Governor of o.
no State. and expressing our satisfaction with
manly official conduct, In justice to him az
.u Il L. u