Parrot And Monkey

"The Cruel Tribulations of Taylorites In Bradley County."

"The Unterrified Democrats Fight Their Little Fight."

"Twenty-Five to Five is The Proportion For Our Bob."
"Threats of a Bolt."
 

Cleveland, Tenn. April 15, Yesterday was the day of the great democratic "pow-wow", when the true and tried bourbons of old Bradley were to meet in convention and reaffirm their allegiance to their party leaders, and to see who could yell the loudest, cuss the loudest. With these laudable ambitions they came from the remote corners, and at an early hour the town was full of democrats. Then commenced the struggle. Bob Taylor's strigers, including office holders and the kids, were out in full force, telling the dear people of the claims of "our Bob", and when necessary giving them the required amount of enthusiasm, dished in doses to suit the occasion, by drinks, pints and even quarts, until the watchword seemed to be  pure "bourbon and our Bob". While the kids were getting in their solid work in this manner, the old, reliable, honest, life-long, untamed, sincere, pure fathers were seen quietly mixing and in a more" substantial way" showing the boys that it was manifestly to their interest (financially) to support our Tom; and it is believed that "solid inducements" had quite a tendency to open the political eyes of some, and they for the first time saw the danger arising form the educational influence of the Blair bill, and determined to still stand for pure democracy, unbiased by education and civilization.  Thus the contest waxed warm until one o'clock, when the doors of Craigmile's opera-house were thrown open and the procession took up the line of march, fully enthused for the coming conflict. The hall rapidly filled and among the number could be seen hundreds with smiles all over their faces. Some one said they were radicals, come in to see fun, and maybe they were. At least it was understood if they would behave and vote right they were entitled to front seats; many of them took advantage of this liberal offer.

Mr. A. Traynor, chairman, called the convention to order and made a short speech, congratulating the people on the interest manifested and exhorted them to all harmonize and let the convention do its work satisfactorily and not allow itself to be packed as in former days. 

Mr. C. L. Hardwick then put in nomination Mr. John T. Rogers for permanent chairman of the convention.

Mr. James Stewart put in nomination Mr. A. Traynor, and then came the monkey show- the Taylor men voting for Rogers, assisted by republicans, and the McConnell men for Traynor.

This vote was intended to show the strength of the two parties and demonstrated that the house was about equally divided, with perhaps a small majority in favor of McConnell. During the vote pandemonium reigned and it was impossible for anything like a fair count to be had. A standing vote was called for and then the confusion was so great that the chairman gave up in disgust, and John T. Rogers, the  Taylor leader, was escorted to the stand amid the exulting shouts of the  Taylorites and the vigorous objections of the McConnell gang.

Mr. Rogers took the stand and with a complacent smile that struck terror to the heart of the McConnell side, intimated that "Our Bob" should have a fair show, and subsequent events proved that he meant what he said. Mr. Cleaner, editor of the Banner-News, (Taylor organ), was elected or rather appointed secretary, and then the convention was ready for the selection of delegates.

Mr. R. M. Edwards then moved that a committee of three be appointed on resolutions. The chair appointed Edwards, Steward and Dr. Scruggs, who retired with their proposed resolutions.

While this committee was out Mr. C. L. Hardwick moved that one man from each civil district be appointed as a committee to select delegates to the state convention. When this motion was made cries of "packed, cut and dried," came in thunder tones form the McConnell side, and Mr. John Smith, a McConnell man, moved in lien that the civil districts select their own delegates, this being the old plan of selecting delegates. The chair ruled Mr. Smith out of order.

At this stage of the proceedings Mr. Henry Knox, a McConnell man, got the floor and attempted to support Mr. Smith's motion when the Taylor men cried  him down, and cries of "put him out" were heard. Mr. Knox then got his democracy aroused and invited the whole Taylor gang to come and out put him out, and used some very plain language. This continued until fears were  entertained that the police would have to be called to quiet the disturbance.

The chair then appointed the committee who retired with their pre-arranged list.

The committee on resolutions then brought in their report, which was read by Col. Edwards. The resolutions in substance, endorsed the administrations of Cleveland and Taylor. Mr. Stewart dissented from the Taylor resolution but of no avail. The question was put  and they were adopted as  a whole, not withstanding a strong effort to have them acted noon separately.

The committee on delegates not having reported, Col. Reform Mulligan Edward, of whig democrat, high tax, low tax. greenback fame, was called upon to speak his little piece, which is so familiar to all the little school boys, in which he endorsed the whole democracy in full, Isham G. Harris included, and this after his memorable abuse of him during his "greenback campaign," and ending with an eulogy on :Our Bob" and his right to a re-nomination, and in the next breath said the Blair bid was a damnable policy and no one would support it only an "ignoramus or a radical.: Just here the stentorian voice of W. H. McKamy, clerk and master, thundered forth, "why did Bob Taylor endorse it?" The colonel wilted, his face turned as red as his nose and "further deponent saith not."

The committee then came in and reported their list of delegates which stood largely in favor of Taylor, being about twenty-five to five. Col. Aiken then moved that they be instructed to cast the vote of the county solid for Taylor. This aroused such a storm of opposition that he was forced to withdraw his motion; so the delegates go uninstructed.

Mr. A. Traynor was elected chairman of the executive committee for the next two years, and Dr. Jordan  secretary. Thus closed one of the stormyest conventions ever assembled in our county.

Notes

The Taylor men had the convention packed form the start.

The McConnell men are mad and swear they will not support "our Bob", if he is nominated.

The McConnell element were in the majority, but lacked leaders.

McKamy, Knox and Smith worked faithfully for McConnell, but the "kids" got there.

Col. Reform Mulligan Edwards got his foot into it, as usual.

Gov. Taylor had his officials on hand, and they did him good work.

McConnell opened his barrel and "boodle" flowed freely. Democrats happy!

Judge Hoyle was disgusted with the proceedings.

C. L.    Hardwick stood by the kids; so did Col. Mayfield.

The Banner-News controlled the convention.

Henry Knox was not taken out, after all. "Blood in the air."

The republicans got in some good work for our Bob.

McConnell's barrel not so full.

It's done, "All on account of Elisa."

"So mote it be."