The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-08-04
The Convention :. Last Wednesday

Elsewhere VIC publish the proceedings
of the Convention which assembled at the
Court House on last Wednesday, in pur-
suance to call of the Democratic Execl-
tive Committee of the Parish, for the pur-
pose of electing or selecting delegates to
the Congressional Convention which met
at Shreveport yesterday. 1t was hoped
that the utmost harmony would prevail in
the deliberations Of the meeting, especial
ly as there was no opposing candidate to
Mr.. Blanchard's nomination, but we re-
greet to say such was not the case. The
speech of Mr.. Luckett in arraigning the
sugar planters of our Parish for real or
fancied opposition to Mr.. Blanchard on
account of his vote on the tariff question,
which vote was claimed to be prejudicial
to tho sugar interests of the State, and in
inviting them to bring out u candidate to
be voted for by the Convention was, to
put it mildly, indiscreet, ill-tempered and
uucalied for. Such remarks are calcula-
ted to drive from the support of Mr.. Blan-
chard some of our best and most influen-
tial citizens. We feel, however, that on
mature reflection Mr.. Luckett would not
have been SO violent in his remarks, and
rather think he was carried away by his
zeal for his candidate.
But one or two of the pinewoods pre-
cincts on either side Of the river were re-
presented. 1t was generally conceded
there would be no one opposing the candi-
daey of Mr.. Blanchard, which accounts
for the meagre turnout. : The delegates
nominated to go to Shreveport were cleo
ted unanimously. The resolutions endor
sing Mr. Blanchard's course in Congress
and also those approving the Jealous eff
forts OF cur Senator and Representatives
at the recent session of the Legislature
were happily wordcd and very appro
pirate.
When this was done the Convention
should have adjourned. Their mission
was fulfilled for which they had beer
called "Order reigns in Warsaw" nigh,
then have been said of it. But the sequel
will not permit this last remark. Mr.. L
G. Hunter introduced resolution to au
thorize the Chair to appoint new Exec
utive Committee. This brought out I
very heated discussion. A motion was
made to lay Mr. Hunters resolution OF
the table. The Chairman, Judge Ryan
would not entertain this latter notion
A motion was then made to adjourn, and
duly seconded, which the Chair also re-
fused to put before the Convention -
Capt. White thereupon denounced the ru
hngs OF she Chair as arbitrary and unpar
hnmentary, but the Chair insisted upor
putting to vote the previous question
and in ignoring the subsequent motions
which on being voted upon by precincts
was carried.
This action of the Convention was with
out warrant of authority, contrary to es
tablshed usages of the party i'll this Par
ish from time imnemorial. 1t was ranl
usnrpation and revolutionary. The ne
eessity did not exist for such proceed
ing. The old Committee hold over unit
the delegates are to be elected to Stat
Convention when new committee vii
be appointed by the proper authority t
inaugurate and conduct the campaign
which authority ecmes from the people i
their sovereign capacity.
Political Conventions have certain dele
gated powers. When they transcend til
powers which were delegated to then
snch action is nasatory and of no avai
and will meet with the condemnation
the people.