New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-25
Special TO tine New Orleans Republican

At noon Colonel l. W. Patton, chairman
of the Democratic State Central Commit
tee, essayed to call the convention to or
der As the first words left his mouth the
local brass band, stationed in the gallery
set up a funeral hymn. When the fret
verse ended Colonel Patton again started,
but the band began second verse, and
the colonel had to subside. Eventually he
succeeded in introducing S1r. j. A. Snyder,
of Bossier, as temporary chairman.
Mr.. Snyder, a gentleman OF pleasant
manners, with spectacles and beard re-
sembling Carl Schurz, delivered an open
ing address, in which he said the delegates
we're standing upon the Threshold of the
second century of the American republic;
they were standing upon an epoch III the
grand history of nations. Referring back
to the time of Washin gton, they saw the
unparalleled increase the country had made
in wealth and population aud material re-
sources. They saw also, with shame, that
the country had developed equally in fraud
and corruption. 1t was to the Democratic
party the country looked to redeem and
reform this condition of things. and the
citizens of Louisiana had met together to
give their support to Samuel j. Tilden, of
New York. worthy helper in this great
work.
As the chairman concluded, Alcee Gau-
threaux, apparently the chosen representa-
tive of the contested delegations OF New
Orleans, spraug forward with resolution
tor the appointment of committee OF ere
denrials The chair. however, on whis-
pered interposition of Colonel Patton. re-
marked that the divine blessing was first in
| order.
Mr.. Patterson. local Presbyterian minis
| ter. then delivered q most tedious and II
| reverent address, thanking the Lord foI
having given the country the best govern
ment the world had ever seen, but instruct
| ing him that it was necessary to put it back
into Democratic hands. before it could be
fully successful
Mr.. Gauthreaux's resolution on creden
| tia!s then came up in order.
Mr.. Gauthreaux wanted fifteen members
to be selected at large by the chairman.
Mr.. Duncan Cage and other country
members wanted twenty one members. to
| be selected three from the State at large
and three from each congressional district
| Mr.. Cages motion prevailed.
| A committee of thirteen on permanent or
| ganlzation, and of three on apportionmen'
| of seats, were ordered, and the convention
| took recess of an hour.
! On reassembling the temporary chairman
| announced g committee on credentials, bu,
had mixed the congressional districts in in
extrcable confusion.
When the name of c. c. Beard, of JET
| ferson parish, was called, Mr.. Mari jumped
on a chair and announced that Dr. Beard
! could not attend, but he MARI had his
credentials in his pocket, and also his
proxy in favor of B. K. Forman, who, he
| trusted, would be admitted in his place.
Strong objection was made to this on the
part of number Of city delegates, who re
| garded it as an attempt on the part of the
Property Holders Association to contro
the city contested cases.
| Mr.. Frank Hatch, from the body of tht
convention, announced that he also had DR.
Boards proxy in his pocket.
This statement was received with lout
laughter and cheers.
Mr.. Davidson, of Sabine, stated that by
the rules of previous conventions no proxy
could be admitted unless he resided in thu
same parish or ward as his principal.
1t was moved that this be made the rul
of the present convention.
The motion was strongly opposed by Mr.
Mari and others on behalf of Judge Alber
Voorhees,, of Orleans, who was understoo,
to be on the f ocr as a delegate from Cam
eron parish
Finally a. point of order was raised b
Mr.. Jonas Of Orleans, that the decision wa
irrelevant at this time, was sustained b
the chairman, and the subject was dropped
to be renewed probably tomorrow.
The chairman announced correcte
committee on credentials, with j. r. ALICE
Gauthreaux as chairman, and committe
on permanent organization with B. F. Jons
as chairman, and the convention adjourned
There is marked reticence among countr
delegates, although Nichols is stauncbl
backed. The fight lies between him an
Wilt, to all appearances, but estimates .,