The Hickman Courier

[Louisville Post]

A reporter of the Post met Colonel Jones this morning, and had a long conversation with him on the subject of the late convention and the course he proposes to pursue.

"I did not know when I made my speech before the convention," said Col. Jones, "Owen had not voted solidly for Knott. It seems my five friends on the delegation still stuck to me and protested loudly when a single member assumed to cast all the vote. Mr. Caldwell says he did not declare the vote of Owen for Knott, but Petit did.

"The entire vote would have nominated Knott by a fraction of one majority. The actual vote nominated me by over nine majority. A member of the delegation who is a connection of Dr. Gale's, was told by the Doctor that his place would be lost unless the vote was cast solid. The delegate rushed out and so cast it. The five delegates who were for me protested and protested loudly to cast the five votes for me, which gave me the nomination. The one man was listened to and the five men were ignored. I believe I am fairly the nominee of that convention."

"What will you do about it?"

"I have received a number of letters urging me to insist upon myself in the field; and while I am not disposed to appear in anything like antagonism to my party organization, I think wrongs should be righted. I am trying to ascertain the sentiment of the party, and my action will be based upon its wishes."

"What do you think of Mr. Caldwell's rulings?"

"They were clearly erroneous and operated severely against me. I had but one friend on the stage, while Mr. Knott's friends were gathered thick about the Chairman, making suggestions, and evidently determined that I should not be declared nominated if they could prevent it. Mr. Caldwell I don't think intended unfairness, but his intentions did me little good so long as his rulings had that effect."

"Did Watterson rush to you and overwhelm you with congratulations?"

"Oh, yes; as soon as he saw I was nominated he came to me, congratulated me, and said: 'Well, you have it; I congratulate you, and am glad of it.' He brought his father to congratulate me, too. I told him I had supposed he was in favor of Knott. 'Oh, no,' said he, 'I did nothing for Knott.' I have been told by another prominent candidate, that Watterson also went to him before the convention and declared himself for him, heart and soul. When Mr. Knott was declared the nominee he made merry with him, too."

"Did you see the card from an ex-delegate in the Post of yesterday?"

"Yes; it gave the facts substantially. The county was overwhelmingly for me after Ruckner, and to the last I had five votes in the delegation, which those on the stage refused to recognize or count at the critical time. I'll tell you, sir, after denouncing the Hayes fraud the Democracy of Kentucky cannot afford to practice a wrong and injustice as I believe this to be. This matter should be investigated and exposed. I am satisfied I was entitled to the nomination. I got it fairly."

"No one can say I am not a loyal Democrat--loyal to the organization as well as to the principles of the party. In this matter I am making no personal kick. If the party desire me to acquiesce in the result, I shall do so whatever be my private convictions and private wrongs. The matter is with the party, not with me. I am, as always ready to do everything honorable that it bids me.

"So far as the actions of my friends and myself in the presence of the convention are concerned, they were clearly based upon a fraud practiced upon us, and you know it is a legal maxim that 'fraud vitiates everything'."