Following the death of Leonidas Houk in 1891 , the Tennessee Republican Party gradually split into two quarreling factions : one led by Brownlow , which Austin supported , and the other led by former congressman Henry Clay Evans of Chattanooga , which had the support of Chattanooga businessman Newell Sanders . At the 1896 Republican National Convention , Austin and Brownlow helped thwart Evans ' bid for the vice presidential nomination . Brownlow was elected to Congress by the 1st district later that year . The president considered Evans for the office of Postmaster General , but the appointment went to James A. Gary of Maryland , due in part to the influence of Brownlow and Austin
1896 Republican National Convention
1896 Republican National Convention
Richard W. Austin