The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-01-31
WENT THROUGH
AS IF CREASED
prearranyed Program Carried
Out by Democratic Exec
utive Committee.
SHEPHERD PRESIDES
Democrats Denied Right to
Hold Ward and District
Meetings to Send Dele
gates to Nashville.

gdLeS TO NdSHVllle.
Harmony, but of tire cut and drie,
kind, was the keynote of the meetin,
of the Hamilton county democratic
executive committee Saturday morn
ing in the criminal court room at tn
courthouse.
The meeting was called to order
as was everybody else who inter
fered with the prearrangeC plans, b.
Chairman T! Pope Shepherd.
Most of the resolutions adopted by
the committee were introduced, sec
onded and voted for only by w. III
Cummings, who assumed the fiool
leadership for "the powers that be-
as soon as the meeting was called tC
order. In these duties Mr.. Cummings
was ably assisted by Fred Frawley
who made q few motions and put
them over in old soapbox style.
In one instance, former Senator j
Lon Foust was so treated when he
attempted to introduce a resolution
calling for the Endorsement Of T. r.
Preston for delegate from the state
at large to the national democratic
committee and Mayor Alex w. Cham
bliss and r. l.. kirkpatrick for dele
gates to the national convention from
the Third congressional district that
he resumed his seat and withdrew his
motion.
Endorsed FOR Delegates.
The resolution of Senator Foust
interfered with one prepared by Mr..
Cummings calling for the indorse-
ment of Mrs. e. f. Wheland and
Mayor Chambliss for delegates to the
national convention from the Third
congressional district. A separate
resolution indorsing Mr. Preston was
read by Mr.. Cummings and passed
A resolution was also read by Mr..
Cummings praYiding for the author
ity to serve as delegates to the state
convention all men and women who
attended this convention. At this
junction George F. Milton asked per-
mission of the floor, stating that he
was not a member of the committee
and spoke against this resolution,
Mr.. Milton stated that this resolu-
ton was certainly one for discussion
ana he greatly doubted the propriety
or 1t. He said that the committee
ala not have the authority, or GER
tainly not the right, to take the Sc
lection of delegates to the state con-
vention out Of the hands of the vot-
ers OF the county, and that was cer-
tatfly what Mr.. Cummings resoli-
ton did, The speaker said that ii
was departing from the principles OF
the party not to allow every qualified
voter to participate in ward and dis
trict primaries which ought to be
called for the selection of the dele-
gates.
There are many voters of Hamil-
ton county who may not be able to
20 to the convention. but who would
like to vote on who did go and have
some voice in who they were in
s'ructed for, that the resolution Just
introduced deprived them Of" said
Mr.. Milton.
Mr.. Milton said he heartily favored
both Mr.. Preston and Mayor Cham
bliss.
After Mr.. Miltons speech against
the resolution, Mr.. Cummings spoke a
rev minutes favoring it, and Chairman
shepherd then put 1t to vote. No one
voted but Mr.. Cummings and he voted
aye" the resolution was announced
rs carried. There was later some dis
cussion of calling a primary for the
selection OF state delegates and this
may, and possibly will be- at a later
date, decided on. There was also dis
satisfaction expressed after the meet
ing of the Endorsement of two dele
gates to the national convention from
the Third congressional district
Entitled to But One.
Hamilton county is only entitled to |
one of these delegates and the in |
dorsement of two from this county is |
only indeed an empty honor. Mr. Cum |
mings read a resolution calling for the |
Endorsement of T. r. Preston from the |
state at large. as delegate to the ma |
tlonal convention. and it was at this
In anf hat
his resolution. which called for the fur |
ther Endorsement of r. l.. Kirkpatrick |
and Mayor Chambliss he included |
However, Mr. Foust was ruled down |
and he said II he was to be treated that |
way he would leave the hail. Mr. Cum |
mings' resolution indorsing Mr. Pres
ton. carried. Mayor Chambliss, who
was present. arose and asked permis-
sion to make a few remarks He stated |
that it was the first he had known of
Senator Fousts resolution calling for
an Endorsement of him. and he GER
cause any discord in the democratic
party. He said he would not for tho
world be the bone of contention, and II
was his desire to see harmony in the
party, first and last Later after
Mayor Chambliss left Mr.. CUMMINGS in
trodueed a resolution indorsng Mayor
Chambliss and Mrs. Wheland; this was
passed
Wouldn't Withdraw Second.
Chairman Shepherd ruled adversely
on resolution introduced by Clint Rus
sell which called for the condemnation
of some national legislation affecting
the railroad employees of the country,
and refused to even allow second TO
the resolution after II had been read.
At this iuncture T. p. Mcmahon ex-
plained to the chairman that the legis-
lation referred TO in the resolution was
Of vital importance to the railroad men.
ana affected 2.000 railroad men in Ham.
llton county. and they were anxious to
have some action taken by the COM
ntttee. Chairman Shepherd said he
had ruled all he was going TO rule"
on the resolution. and entered motion
TO adjourn before Mr. Mcmahon had
finished speaking; the committee ad-
iourned.
after the meeting Chairman Shep-
herd. after several had talked with
him. said that " new matters arose he |
would. at another date. call another
meeting Of the committee TO discuss
hem. The committee selected March
g as the date Of the primary for demo-
'ratfe candidates for county offices II |
vas announced that all the candidates |
bad agreed upon this date
The meeting was called 20 order by !
Hartman T. Pope Shepherd. and the |
roll was called by Secretary Phil Shu- |
,art Some changes were made In the !
'ommittee on account Of some Of the | J
members having moved out OF the
wards and districts they had formerly !
ived IN. Some cha irmon were elected {
rom the new districts selected re- |
,entlv created hy the county court. The I
secretary announced n quorum was |
present and Mr.. Cummings began the {
'eadinF of his resolutions.
County Primary March 26.
The first business transacted was the
of March 26 as primary for /
he democratic candidates for county {
,ficeR. resolution was then passed /
.uthorjzing the appointment by the ] s