Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1911-09-07
JOHN 7. BARNS
The NOMINEE.
Republican County Convention Here SATURDAY.
Names Him For Clerk---A Lively and
Interesting Meeting.

Interesting Meeting.
1t was a fine looking body of men
that met together on last Saturday at
the court house here in the Republican
county convention. Large men Of Drawn
and brain, well fed and intelligent look
ing, 1T would be hard to beat them for
appearances anywhere. Men of strong
convictions, not afraid to express them
selves, and ready to back up the express
sion of their opinion to the extent of
their physical prowess. Hardy High
landers-a typical representative crowd
OF the upright men of the mountains.
The crowd gathered promptly. and at
the hour set for the meeting the court
room was full to overhowing. Hon. W.
B. Spratt, of Richlsnds, called the meet
ing to order and stated its object. David
Williams, of Thompson Valley, was
elected chairman and w. G. O'Brien, of
this city, secretary.
Hon. ]. N. Harman suggested that to
expedite matters no committees be ap-
pointed, and that the secretary call the
roll of precincts and let them cast their
vote, then if there appeared any reason
for doing so, committee on credentials
could be appointed to settle the ques-
tion of the rights of the delegates from
any precinct. Objection being made to
this on account of some of the delegates
from Clear Fork being instructed, Mr..
Harman withdrew his motion.
R, L. Gillespie then obtained recop-
milton, and stated that he appeared as
one having authority from one of the
aspirants for the clerkship-Dr. c. w.
Greever-and was authorized to say on
bis behalf that under no circumstances
would DR.. Greever's name be presented
to the convention, for reasons that had
already been given in the county pa
pers, and that he himself heartily en-
dorsed the stand taken by DR.. Greever.
During Mr.. Gillespie's speech there
were several calls for Greever, and
when the speaker had finished some one
shouted "Hurrah for Barns" and this
started an ovation which lasted several
minutes.
Hon. w. B. Spratt then obtained the
floor, and in an impassioned speech said
that this was Republican convention.
regularly called by the county commit
tee after due notice had been given.
and that man who did not want to
come before the convention, nor dele
gate who did not want to be bound by
ITS action, were entirely out of place
there, and that while, as courtesy to
Mr.. Gillespie, he trusted the convention
would listen to him; that it was unbe-
coming man who had held public of
fee for fifteen years through the in
tuence of the committee to question its
actions.
Mr.. Gillespie arose to reply, and stated
that while true he had held the post
office at Graham for three terms it was
at the behest of the citizens of that
town, and not through the influence of
the county committee. At this point
the call of Barns" Barns" had be-
come so loud that the remainder of Mr..
Gillespie's speech was lost to the audi
ence. AS he concluded his remarks Mr.
Gillespie became engaged in an acri-
monious discussion with a member of
the audience that caused considerable
confusion for few moments, and at its
close Mr.. Gillespie left the convention
hall.
K. o. Crockett then made a speech
calling for harmony and united action
that quieted the crowd, and the conven-
ton resumed its work.
Nominations being called for; w. L.
Burton, of Graham, placed in nomina-
ton John T. Barns. No other names
being presented, ]. Wslton Thomas
moved that nominations be closed.
A motion was then made to make the
nomination by acclamation, but this
was objected to as appearing too much |
like a ''steam roller" affair, and that in |
a Republican convention every one had |
a right to express themselves and vote
as they pleased. The chairman then
instructed the districts to assemble in |
separate rooms and cast their ballots |
for a candidate for the Office of county
clerk. This was done, and on reassem-
bling in the main convention hall, the
chsirmen of the district meetings an
nounced the following as the vote of
their districts:
Districts Barns Greever
Clear Fork I2 81
Jeffersonville 25 n