The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-24
A BIG SPLIT IN THOMAS.
THE REGULARS FIGHTING TIE AL
LANCE DEMOCRATS.


The Latter Capture a Meeting Held
60 Protest Against the Action Taken
at Mass Meeting on May 1.-Two
Sets of Delegates to Be Sent to the
Congressional Convention.
TOWNSVILLE. Ga, July ga mass
meeting was held to-day pursuant TO a call
signed by 333 strsightout or regular demo-
Gratis. There has been more or less dissatis-
faction in the county ever since the mass
meeting of May II last, when delegates were
illegally chosen to attend the congressional
convention. The situation is this: The dis
trict executive committee met in April and,
recognizing the unsettled condition Of the
beliefs in the ranks Of the democrats, fixed
the election Of delegates to the congressional
convention on July 80, by which it was
thought every voter would be sailing under
his proper colors, and, as customary, by pri~
maries. The mass meeting Of May II In
this county was regularly called to chose
delegates to send to Atlanta, and to elect
a new county executive committee. The
mass meeting not only did what it was
called to do, but violating every principle
did several other things, among them choos-
ing delegates to the congressional conven-
ason by reclamation. There was q cut and
dried programme. The meeting was COM
posed almost entirely Of Alliancemen, a
large number of whom have since gone into
ssthe Peoples party. The alliance carried
things with high hand, riding rough-shod
over the legally appointed authorities.
There has been more or less dissatisfaction
among the regular democrats ever since.
The meeting to-day was for the purpose of
having the election OF congressional dele
gates made regularly by primaries on July
80. B. F. Hawkins presided and 4. N.
Mallette was secretary.
ALLIASCEMEN OUT IN FORCE.
While the call was only for those who
{ favored regular and legal action of the
[paFty those who were concerned Ia the
FORMER mass meeting gathered from all sides
sn large numbers and were prepared by
force OF members to capture to-days meet
isng. 1t was a hopeless cause for the regulars
from the beginning. s. q. McLendon
moved the adoption OF the following reso-
luton.
RESOLVED, BY the democrats here assembled
chat we indorse. approve, ratify aud confirm the
7 action of the mass meeting held by the Demo-
cratic party of Thomas county on May IL.
Judge Hopkins seconded the motion 10
speech and was followed by Mr.. MoLendon
in favor of 1t.
! The memorable event OF the day came
next in a wonderful speech of w. NJ. Ham
mond against the resolution. Capt. Ham
tmond handled his subject in a mastery
manner. All present, friends and foes, ad-
sxnit that it was the grandest Grafton ever
delivered In the county In behalf OF any
cause he unsparingly laid bare the false,
fSllegal and unjust passion of his opponents
and for q time swept everything before him
by the marvellous power of his eloquence
and the cold facts of his unAnswerable logic
He hewed close to the mark, making
every sentence a keen blade to
cut into the abuses and errors
he condemned. There were many
dramatic scenes during the course OF his
speech. When he produced the pamphlet
presenting o. B. Stevens to the democrats
of the Second district foryeongress, signed
by sixteen members Of the alliance, nine of
whom are now prominent members of the
Peoples party, the applause was tremend-
GUS He held up to the light many such
facts disgraceful to the democracy, all of
which he showed were plainly traceable to
she matter.
THE OPPOSITION SPEAKERS.
Capt. Hammond was followed by Hon.
R. q. Mitchell and Hon. A. T. Mcintyre,
Jr., on the other side, who made the beat
they could out of their position, talking
about the force bill, tariff, ETC., until the
effect of Capt. Hammond's speech was dis
sipated. His opponents did not pretend to
answer what was unanswerable, but having
q majority present, called for the question.
1t was very dramatic when at this juncture,
seeing that justice WAS impossible. Capt.
Hammond arose and requested all present
who favored the original call 20 meet at
another hall, whereupon most Of the reg
ulsrs withdrew amid the widest con.
fusion, the chairman going with them
The Stevens element then took charge Of
the meeting, called s. G. McLendon to the
chair and passed the resolution as offered
an wild storm Of Excitement and
exultation, after which they passed reso-
luton pledging support to all the nominees
of the Democratic party and adjourned.
Those democrats who still insist that the
course Of party action should be regulsr
and legal met and organized, Dr. A. z.
Taylor being made chairman OF the county
executive committee. This committee will
order au election for delegates to the con-
gressional convention by primaries on July
30, as instructed by the district committee.
There will thus be two sets of delegates sent
from Thomas county to that convention.
0HARITON'S nEMnCR Ara