New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-08-08
Permanent OrRauizatiou,

Permanent Organization.
Reason asserted its sway Yesterday in the
Republican Convention, and we cOngratu-
late members on the able arguments pre-
sented and the perfect order maintained
throughout the third days proceedings.
The first question for consideration after
the convention was called to order was how
the report of the committee on credentials
should be disposed Of This had been the
great bone of contention the previous day;
the rock, indeed, which threatened to wreck
the convention before it had accomplished
its mission.
OF course, no permanent organization
could be had until the question Of who
were delegates was determined. The re-
port of the committee on credentials settled
this matter at once if it was adopted as
whole, but the proposition pending before
the convention when it adjourned on Thurs
day was to take separate action on the del
egations recommended for admission by the
report. After thorough discussion of the
subject, in which Mr.. Pinchback, Lieutenant
Governor Antoine, Mr. Rey, of East Fell
ciana; Mr.. Steele, of Tensas; Mr.. Mahoney,
of Plaquemines; Mr.. Harris of Concord ia;
Mr. Montaldo, Of Orleans, and others par
ticipated, the convention finally deter
mined, on motion of Mr.. Allan, of West
Baton Rouge, that the roll of members re.
commended by the CO mmittee on credentials
be considered the roll of the convention.
This decision was arrived at by a vote of
l26 yeas to 26 nays. But before the vote was
taken Mr.. Piuchback gained the floor
second time in the discussion of this gues-
ton and went into an elaborate history of
his political life down to the present time,
attempting to account for the manner of
his defeat in the tenth ward when he was
candidate for delegate to the convention;
proclaiming how his enemies telegraphed
his defeat North, even chuckling over his
downfall, and depicting in glowing colors
that their purpose was now to drive him
out Of the party. He told the convention
would perpetrate great wrong. If they
did this, he said, they might go further and
expel him from the Republican party, but
that would not drive him into the ranks of
the Democratic party.
Mr.. Pinchback spoke with much ANNA
tion and his remarks were occasionally in
terlarded with spicy seasoning of acri-
mony, evidently intended for Mr.. Packard
and other Republicans whom Mr.. Pinch
back was disposed to brush out of his way.
Mr.. Packard replied to Mr.. Pinchback in
a cool, yet forcible manner. He went in to
a complete history of political events in
this State that have transpired since the
Republican party came into power. He
read Mr.. Pinchback a severe lesson for hav-
ing entered into the petty squabbles of ward
meetings, and said his position as United
States Senator should have inclined him to
a higher and more useful course. Mr..
Packard denied that his object was to rule
Mr.. Pinchback out of the party, and
said there was room enough for all
who were disposed to labor for the Re-
publican cause. He then referred to Mr..
Pinchback's alluson to an attempt to or
ganize White League within the Republi-
can party. Mr.. Pac kard said he knew of
no such determination, and thought til at
the Republican party should not object to
adding white Republicans to its ranks. His
remarks were concluded by an appeal to
members of the Republican party to cease
their ordinations and recriminations-and
at once place themselves in position to
achieve victory in the election which is to
take place in this State next fall.
The reply of Mr.. Packard to Mr.. Pinch
backs speech was made without any
attempt at flourish or empty defamation.
It was an appeal to reason, and it had
very marked effect. In the course of his
remarks he said he had not sought to make
any issue with Mr.. Pinchback. The issue,
if there was any, had been forced by Mr..
Pinchback himself, who, it was said, desired
to be made charm an of the new State
Central Committe to be chosen by the con-
vention. Mr.. Pinchback here interrupted
the speaker with denial of any such
object. Mr.. Packard then asked Mr.. Pinch
back if he did not desire to be permanent
chairman of the convention! The question
being answered in the affirmative, Mr..
Packard charged that Mr.. Pinchback's
object in working to gain that position was
to subserve his personal ends.
In the discussion which took place be-
tween Mr.. Pinchback and Mr.. Packard, it
was plainly to be seen that the latter gen.
tleman had produced the most favorable
effect, as was shortly afterwards evfnced
bv the election of Mr.. Packard as perma-
nent president of the convention over Mr..
Pinchback, by vote OF l22 to AN, and
a permanent organization effected.
The Road to the Lake.