The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-18
VISITING STATESMEN.
A DELEGATION OF PROMINENT RE-
PUBLICANS IN THE CITY.
An Interview with Judge Murray, OF
q the National Communicable Virtually
Throws Up the Sponge and Comedies
That the South is Solid.

The presence in the city yesterday Of a
number OF prominent Republicans gave
rise TO the impression that there was meth
cd in their apparent accidental meeting
here. 1t certainly looked strange that
they should have all selected the same day
to transact private business in Memphis.
There were six of them, to-witi The Hon.
w. w. Murray, Of Huntington, Carroll
county, member OF the national Repub-
lican committee, the Hon d. A. Num-,
the Hon. w. l.. Poston, the Hon. j. w.
T, Brown and the Hon. John L. Mccall.
What are they all here for, was the all
absorbing question in political circles, and
10 answer it satisfactorily an APPEAL re-
porter started out on hunt yesterday
afternoon,
The first OF the distinguished visitors he
encountered was the Hon. w. w. Murray,
a fine looking, smooth faced old gentle
man with an intellectual face and portly
figure that reminded one strongly OF Bob
Ingersoll. He talked freely and appar-
emily without reserve.
"What am here for2" he answered in
reply TO TIE APPEAL mans inquiry.
"Why, simply on private legal business
which necesstated conference with
member Of the Memphis bar. Any poll
tics in it2 Bless your soul, no. Only |
like to come back to my old stamping
grounds and mingle for few hours with
the boys. Two or three OF the local Re-
publicans came to see me, but their visit
had no political significance
'Did you see Zach TaylorP
"No, SIR"
"Or Judge Eldridge?"
ooh, no, neither OF these gentlemen
called on me.
"what about Republican prospects in
the State?"
"Well really, can't say. / am con-
strained TO believe that no real earnest
effort will be made by the national Repub-
lican committee to carry this or any other
southern State, with the possible excep-
ton OF West Virginia. | think the ma
tional contest will resolve itself practically
into a struggle between the solid north on
the one side and the solid south on the
other"
care the Republicans Of Tennessee well
organized2"
mot by any manner Of means. Take
your own county for instance. There Is
no organization here worth speaking OF.
There isn't Republican in the county
who can tell YOU within 500 votes what
the Republican strength OF Shelby is. II
you want TO see what organization really
is YOU must go north Of the Ohio river.
Go into any county in Indiana, Ohio, llli-
nois and the county chairman OF the ex'
ecutiye committee will tell you how many
Democratic votes there are in the county,
how many Republican and how many
doubtful. They've got II all down TO O
perfect system, Democrats and Republi'
cans alike"
"Do you think any northern Republican
speakers will be sent 10 Tennessee 10 dis
cuss the tariff issue2'
Frankly speaking, ] must tell you
do not. As | said before II looks 20 m,
ms II the Republicans were 20 abandon Tn,
south as helpless, except in West Nir
ginia, where COTS personal popularity
may carry him through. Hes yer!
strong man"
After some further conversation in tn
same line, the reporter left Judge Murra,
strongly impressed with his genial an'
gcntlcmanly personality.
The next OF the visiting statesmen inter
viewed was the Hon. ID. A. Num-, VIII
also came here slrictlyo on private business
lie knew nothing OF Shelby county poll
ties, but seemed rather pleased that th
Democrats we're fighting among themselves
and talked Of nm independent or iusio
ticket. Mr.. Num- did not 80 express him
self in as many words, but It was very Q,
ident that he was sheddingno tcars over tn
dissonsion in Democratic ranks
Other gentlemen OF the delegation eN
pressed similar views and TnE Al
rEAL reporter left them, convinced tha
their accidental meeting here was a coir
cidencc, and nothing more.