New Orleans Republican., 1872-06-04
CONFERENCE WITH RBF0RMBRs

/
was nearly filled an hour before the time of
| calling to order by delegates and their
| friends. The sole topic Of conversation
among the greater number of those who
| were TO assemble was the prospective cOali-
| tiOn with the Reformers, and how such a
consummation of political policy was to be
brought about. The time before the actual
call to order was devoted to such exchanges
of opinion as would naturally take place be-
tween men who met in the same building
from all quarters of the State, and the re-
cent editorial expressions of the New Or
leans papers, as well as the speech of Gov
| ernOr WarmOth, came in for their share OF
animadversion.
The delegates took up their position in
| the parquette, and where accommodations
were inadequate filed the semi-circle of
| boxes overlooking this portion of the audi.
| torinm Ample arrangements were made
for reporters in the orchestra, and imme-
diately before the preliminary organization
| the parquette presented a scene of hustle
| and animation, consequent upon delegates
| fitting themselves into a local habitatiOn
| SO as to avoid the confusion of two or three
| different places for one constituency. 1t
was noticed that some changes had been
made in the body OF the delegates since the
last meeting.
A passing glance showed that the age,
respectability, wealth, craftsmanship and
political wisdom of Louisiana were well
represented in the convention, and forecast
the opinion that the deliberations would be
carried on without the disorder incident of
late to assemblies of the kind.
- M-There is considerable impatience
manifested, eleven o'clock being the time
for meeting, and no call to order yet Loud
cries for Head (presidentl rise from all
parts Of the house.
THE CALL TO ORDER.
Mr.. j. R. Head took his seat as president,
saying:
Gentlemen of the ConventioR-The hour has ar
rived to which the meeting of the convention Of
the Democratic party of Louisiana assembled on
the eighteenth Of April last adjourned to meet
again in this city. It becomes my duty, therefore,
suppose the presiding officer of that body, to
announce the same, and to state the object Of the
meeting.
Under ordinary circumstances this duty would
be simple, brief, and easily discharged The peo-
pie of the country are 50 thoroughly accustomed
to the practice of Assem- bling together, through
their representative delegates in the capacity of
State conventions in order to select the standard
bearers for the sutfrages Of the people IN coming
elections, and in case of an approaching Presden-
ta campaign, to appoint delegates to the national
convention, to provide electoral ticket and also
to appoint an executive committee for the perma-
nence of their organization that these. ordinary
and simple duties are familiar to al. But on the
present OCCASION even in the discharge Of these Gus
tOmary duties owing 10 some dtverslty OF opinion,
grave qu ions of expedieIey are likely to eng 4ge
Vour attention. First as to whether it would be
better to nominate State ticket or to postpone
the same until some future time, as the delegates
have conflicting instructions upon this point and
Others perhaps differ in opinion upon these ques-
tious; aud secondly, whether or not any distinct
enunciatiOn of principles should be set forth or
platform adopted, aud what should be its char
acter. Perhaps the question may arise y neither
or not the Cincinnati Liberal Republican platform
should be indOrsed or the Democratic party of the
State should steer clear of federal politics in the
present attitude Of national parties, and look alone
to the redemption of Our own dOwn-trOdden and
tax.ridden state from her present and impending
ruin.
In the appointment of delegates to the National
Democratic Convention, TO assemble at Baltimore
on the ninth of July proXimo. the questions to
whether those delegates shall be instructed to
vote for the nomination of national ticket, to
indOrse the Greeley and Brown ticket or simply
adopt the passive policy and commit the party to
no candidates whatever; or whether or not the
delegation should go entirely uninstFHcted, with
or without knowledge Of their prOcliV1tles Will
doubtless claim your attention In the next place
will ne PRESENTED the prOpriety or imprOpriety of
nominating electoral ticket at the present time,
or whetheT the power to make that nomination at
future time, according to contingencies
should be delegated TO your executive committee.
In addition to the matters already mentioned,
gentlemen of the convention, you are likely to be
met with proposition 10 appoint committee to
confer with the Reform party, which claims in
common with the Democratic party, to have IL
view, as its paramount object the reformation of
the State government, for the purpose OF ehectng,
if practicable, alliance with that organization
in pursuit Of the mutual end had in view, which
will demand your due consideration. From outside
intimatiOns and discussions it seems probable also,
that committee to confer with one from the sib-
eral Republican Convention or its executive com
mittee will be asked for, wAich question 1t may be
well for you to prepare to meet.
In discussing the expediency of nominating
State ticket gentlemen-a question which will, no
doubt, be well considered by yOu--is the efficiency
of the Democratic organization or its ability to
succeed by drawing to its support the conservative
masses of the State, in efforts to elect bonest
men to office, which will, no doubt be one Of the
chief recommendations Of the Candidates you Sc
alliance
party should be offered which can be accepted
without evident danger OF the disintegratOn Of
our organization, or disaster to the cause which We
have mOst at heart, they will become eonsidera-
tIons of the more gravity. In this COM
Tour attention to the awkward predica.
ment the Democratic party Of Louisiana would
be placed in if the convention should send dele,
gates to Baltimore, and afterward ignore thb
party name; also the position in which we should
be placed if we should indOrse the Cincnnati nOmf
nees and the National Democratic Convention
should subsequently nominate ether candidates
Tor the same Offices. In view of these cOntingen-
c:es the danger of making entangling alliances or
embarrassing con ncessiODs and complications will
doubt elicit your careful consideration, as well
as to the expedieney Of either making nominations
or leaving the field open for mOre efficient con-
servative organization, if any such exist.
Upon this review of the situation, the Importance
OF your meeting gentlemen, will be fully realized
Hoping You will be guided by the light Of wisdom
in your counsels and that your deliberations may
De conducted with that dignity and decolum your
lntelIge4ce and respeetaoility guarantee, an
Mr.. Oscar Arroyo then called the roll of
the parishes, when it was found that about
nineteen-twentieths were represented.
Mr.. Z. II. McCaleb-I move the commit
tee on credentials haHe permission to retire
to consider the credentials Of the new MEM
bers.
A member-As the parish of Winn was
not represented at the last convention,
beg leave to present the credentials of that
parish.
The Chair-Your credentials can be
har ded to the 90 nmittee
The committee was given permission to
retire.
Captain Hooe, of Rapides-I move that
we do now 60 into into permanent organ
ization by the election of president.
Evident dissatisfaction and cries of "no"
greeted this motion.
Mr.. McCaleb-I rise to a point of order
How can we go into permanent organiza-
tion until credentials are examined and we
find ont WHO are delegates and who are
not. Signs of appreciation 1t seems to
me Il is is putting the cart before the horse
Mr.. fucker, of st. Mary-As there can not
be anything done until the committee on
credentials reports, | now move we take a
recess Of half an hour. Carried,
The committee on credentials retire over
the bridge which crosses the orchestral
oOoOAio anu tAC dSSGLIDl1 b4CttAAS N1P
out in different groups and discuss the non
cOmmittal propositions laid down in the
presidents speech.
1t being announced at the expiration OF
the half hour that it would take the com
mittee on credentials at least an hour longer
to get through their labors. another recess
of an hour was taken
As the hour expired and no report ap-
appeared, there was considerable impa-
tience manifested, and calls for speakers
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