The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1896-08-28
CHEAIRS ANSWERS THE CONT.
Calls Them Dead Ducks, and Denies
Their Allegations.

Calls Them Dead Ducks, and Denies
Their Allegations.
To THE HERALD:-In the issue of
the American of the 26th inst, under
the caption "More Light appears a
communication signed by seven gem
tlemen formerly part of the Con-
gressional Committee of this the 7th
Congressional District.
This article, although dated CO.
lumbia, Aug. Is, 1896, in my iudg-
ment, was not written here nor in
deed until several days after the ad-
iournment of the convention, and
then emanated from Franklin. Much
of the article is taken up in refer
ence TO what passed between certain
gentlemen on the stage of the theatre
and myself. The main features of
this article are untrue. Sir out of
seven of the gentlemen who have at
tached their signatures to it were
not present on the platform and
hence know nothing of the so-called
facts to which they subscribe their
names. The effort is made to make
it appear that the behavior of the
Cox men were childlike and bland
set of lambs who desired nothing
but peace and harmony. Now for
facts.
was not present when selected as
Temporary Chairman of the Con-
vention, but on being notified, re-
paired to the stage of the theatre
and was there officially notified by
- nj I hn Il
ted. The WhitthOrne men were
cheering. The Cox men were yell
ing, Take him out" Throw him
out" Confusion reigled supreme.
Very soon men from the William
son county delegation climbed from
the floor of the audience room on to
the stage of the theatre. They
pressed me vociferating at the top
of their voices and wildly gesticula-
ting. They demanded that | retire
from the chair and that Mr.. Stewart
reopen nominations for Temporary
Chairman. OF course | refused to
do this. | had received notice of my
election from the Chairman pro tenn.
Mr.. Stewart-and to have abdica-
ted at the instance of the turbulent
and threatening gentlemen from
Williamson county would have been
pussillanimous indeed.
After some twenty or thirty min
utes of confusion, the following gen.
tlemen from Williamson County
gathered around me on the platform:
John H. Henderson, Geo. II. Arm
stead, G. r. Berry, = McCorckle.
Mr.. Henderson said, "Mr. Cheairs,
we desire to give you our ultima
tum."
l asked what it was. Mr.. Hender-
son, continuing, said: UNLESS you
retire from the chair and Stewart
reopen the election of temporary
Chairman, we will bolt the cOnven-
tion."
/ asked if they represented Will
hanson County or the sentiment of
all the Cox delegates in the conven-
ton.
After some hesitation, the reply
was, Williamson county. But we
believe that it is also the sentiment
of all the Cox men,"
then said, Gentlemen, this mat
ter is assuming graver proportions
than expected. Please state your
ultimatum again."
For the second time Mr.. Hender-
son repeated: "Unless you retire
from the chair and Mr.. Stewart re-
open the election of temporary
Chairman, we will bolt the conven-
| tion."
Ithen said that / would not take
the responsibility of acting without
consulting with my friends.
| retired few moments from the
stage and conferred with a number
of gentlemen. They were indignant
that Williamson county should un-
dertake to dictate, and advised me
to return to the stage and proceed
with the business of the convention.
I returned to the platform, secured
the attention of the convention and
gave brief history of the ultima
tum of the gentlemen from Will
hanson county, their threat to bolt
if I did not abdicate, aud also the
result of my conference with friends.
1 then declared the business before
the convention was the election of a
temporary Secretary. ThereupOn,