The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1883-12-19
PROCEEDINGS OF MASS MEETING
ALExANDRIA,LA., !
Dec. IL. 1883. {

Pursuant to call of the Democratic
Parish Executive Committee the Mass
Meeting Of the Democrats of the Par
ish of Rapides assembled at the Town
Hall, in the Town of Alexandria, at
II o'clock Yesterday, for the purpose
of electing ten delegates to represent
the Parish of Rapides in the State
Convention Of the Democratic party
at Baton Rouge, to be held on the
18th instant.
B. Turner, the Chairman of the De-
mocratic Executive Committee, called
the meeting to order and stated that as
the hall was too small to hold the per-
sons in attendance, the meeting would
adjourn to the open space in the Town
square. Themeeting having reassem-
bled at the place last designated, B.
Turner again called the meeting to or
der and announced that he would call
to the Chair as permanent Chairman
the Hon. Lewis Texada. This occa-
stoned loud protests, as being beyond
the province of the Chairman Of the
Executive Committee, whose sole fran.
chise it was to call the meeting to or.
der, hear nominations, and aid the
meeting in electing it's Chairman
Major G. 0. Watts so stated, and plac.
ed in nomination the name of the Hon
Michael Ryan, for Chairman, which
was duly seconded and received with
much enthusiasm. The names O.
Hons. Lewis Texada and Michae
Ryan being declared in nomination
both gentlemen came forward to the
stand amid much confusion and disor
der, which prevailed for some time tx
such an extent that it was impossible
to proceed with the business before tn,
meeting.
1t was then proposed, in the interes
of harmony, that the Hon. James JET
fries be called to the chair to presid
until order be restored, and until a fai
vote could be had as between Messrs
Ryan and Texada.
This motion was put and carrie'
without opposition, and with great en-
thusiasm, and Mr.. B. Turner, Chair
man Of the Executive Committee, hav
ing recognized the election of Mr.. JET
fries, he called him to the Chair ant
introduced him to the meeting as Chair
man. MIR. Jeffries thanked the meet
ing for the honor done him, and state
that as a Democrat, and in the interes
eff harmony, he would preside over
meeting of Democrats, but would ne
preside over mob, and that it was nj
cessary for the meeting to come
order. Order was being restored, an
the meeting progressing to the SAT-
faction of every one, apparently, and
motion had been made and seconds
which Mr.. Jeffries was about to pu
when Mr.. James G.. White asked pc
mission to speak. He was given pc
= = mission by the Chairman, and h
e speech ended with confusion and di
:. order in the meeting, which before h
rising to speak was evidently Statistic
with Mr.. Jeffries as Chairman. Aft
I Mr.. Jefries and others had tried
make themselves heard and could nc
y the supporters Of S. D. McEnery wit
d drew in a body and left the groun
;: The meeting was then called to Q
der by Mr.. Jetfries, and perfect qui
restored, and on motion, duly second'
and put, he was unanimously elect,
permanent Chairman Of the meetin
Robt. p. Hunter was then elect,
D Secretary, and the meeting in an orde
: ly and quiet manner proceeded wi
l. the business before it.
~, The first business before the me,
mo hauinr hcen declared 70 he The !