The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1906-03-29

dersigned, in the interest Of common
fairness as between democrats, ask the
American to publish the following re-
port of proceedings here today, in order
that the people of Tennessee may put
the blame for today's disturbance at
the opera house on those where it be-
longs:
"The facts of the mass-meeting in
Giles county are these; The mass meet
ing of Giles county was called to as
semble in the county courtroom in the
court house at O'Clock p. M, Friday,
March 93. This was done by the Cox
members of the executive committee.
An appointment was made for Gen.
Patterson to speak in Pulaski, begin
ming at 10 o'clock, March 23. Gov.
Cox was invited to be present. At Is
minutes after 10 o'clock Mr.. Romine
announced to Mr.. Eslick that Gov. Cox
was coming in on the noon train. Mr..
Elsick stated if they would agree that
the mass m Getting be called after the
speaking that the Patterson speaking
would not proceed until Gov. Cox ar
rived. Mr.. Romine would not agree.
"Then at 1890 Gen. Patterson, who
was introduced by Hon. John H. Stew
enson, began speaking in the opera
house, The Cox people demanded the
keys to the courthouse. Sheriff Eng
lish gave them the keys to the circuit
courtroom.
"Geu. Patterson had been speaking
about an hour and half when Gov.
Cox and a party headed by John NJ.
Bittick and N. H. White appeared on
the stage. They came up the steps of
the opera house cheering, and when
they come on the stage pandemonium
reigned. Gen. Patterson stood quietly
unconcerned, and the Cox people be-
gan crowding on the stage, where there
were seated number of ladies. There
upon there was q rush of Patterson
leaders for the stage. For full fifteen
or twenty minutes everything was in
tumult.
AT last matters became quiet and
Gen. Patterson resumed speaking. The
first thrust he made at Cox, who was
on the stage, caused the uproar to be-
gin again. Finally the Cox people
withdrew to the circuit courtroom.
Cox had about sixty or seventy-five
people with him. Gen. Patterson was
speaking to 700 or 800 voters at the op-
era house.
"At fifteen minutes to o'clock the
sheriff unlocked the county courtroom,
the place where the ass-meeting had
been designated to be held. This was
Immediately filed with the adherentt
of Gen. Patterson. The Cox people
were in the circuit courtroom. Al
about 12:40 o'clock and in the circuit
courtroom the Cox people intructeG
for Cox for governor and adjourned.
Chairman Wade did not appear il
the county court room at all At fvt
minutes after O'Clock E. E. Eslick, il
few words, denounced the action o
Chairman Wade, and r. J. Simpson
called the meeting to order. It. E. Da
ly was nominated for temporary chair
man and r. Fl. McLaurine for tempo
rary secretary. This motion carries
e. without dissenting voice.
Mr.. Eslick then moved that th
meeting be adjourned to the sout
Y courthouse yard, saying that the coun
ty courtroom would not hold one-thir
o of the crowd. The motion prevailed.
- I'm the south courthouse yard MI
Eslick moved that the temporary OF
ganizaticn be made permanent, and h
y asked il the Cox people had any nom
nations to make. The Cox people mad
no nomination.
"Without dissenting vote, the ten
= porary organization was made perni
nent.
:" On motion, comittee Of five We
appointed on delegates and one on re-
r. olutons. These committees reported
and the reports were adopted withot
dissent. Gen. Patterson was instructe
for, and Gen. H. H. Hannah for raj
road commissioner. The nominate
of Senator Shubert was approved, an
a resolution instructing the delegatic
= to vote as unit, that no proxies be O
= lowed, at no time should the vote
the county be cast for Cox and d
nouncing his action in disturbing Il
speaking in the opera house was adop
ed.
"A motion was then made that II
~ people present be counted; that tv
~ tellers representing Gov. Cox and tv
4 representing Gen. Patterson be put
r. the south courthouse gate to count Il
! Patterson supporters, and the same
~ = put at the east gate to count the @,
III supporters. Thos. E. DAILY, chairma
X announced D. L. Eslick, county cou
=. ILL. aE G:lan aa-n4s. nnd u u d.