The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-17
Lou1sIANA,s pEMocRArs

LOUIsIANA'S DEMOCRATS.
A split IN the Convention Over the
Lottery Issue.
BATON ROUGE, La, Dec. I6.-There Is a
split In the democratic convention which
met here to-day, and, in fact, two con-
ventions ara sitting, composed Of Adams
and McEnery men, or pro lottery and anti
lottery respectively. The state central
committee has removed Chairman
Lanier and substituted ex-Gov. Wickliffe.
Capt. P. II. Wells Of Richland parish was
designated by the committee as temporary
chairman Of the state convention. Welsh is
a McEnery man and the McEnery delegates
number 400. while Adams, or the ants,
have only 233.
CAUSE OF THE SPLIT.
The following is the cause, or excuse, for
the split. This McEnery caucus met last
night. and by resolutions appointed a stand
ing committee Of nine, the chair to be
added, for the purpose of comforting with
the chairman of the state central commit
tee regarding the temporary organization
OF the convention, and that they be further
authorized to meet any other committee to
be appointed by the opposition for the same
purpose. The committee waited upon
Col Lanier and called bis atten-
ton to Mr. Jatremerski's course
four years ago. which is a matter of
record, that he conceds the right of
the majority. They urged him to pursue
the same course. stating that no reflection
on him was intended. Col. Lanier replied
that he would consider the matter, and
asked until morning to give his reply. The
committee then presented the name of II.
2. Wells of Richland for temporary
,haf .lz
at the convention four years ago
the appointment of the committee on
credentials was made on the basis of 8 to Z,
the matter having been arranged by a cone
ference between committees representing
both sides. The committee had heard that
the onti-caucus had appointed a similar
committee and thought that the matter
could be arranged at once.
THE COMMITTEES MEET.
a few moments later the Adams COM
mittee, headed by Don Caffrey and COM
posed of Mr.. Holdings worth, Edward Hun
ter Stubb and Senator Lott, appeared. The
McEnery committee said it had come with
reference TO the temporary chairman
ship. Mr.. Catfrey, said their chair
manship would doubtless be con-
coded, but that he had a more
grave and important matter to submit
De then presented the following proposition:
That all frivolous contests be dismissed;
that all discussions as TO the submission of
the lottery amendment to white primaries
be abandoned; that the convention place
in the democratic platform an anti-lottery
plank; that proper assurance be given for
the faithful carrying out Of its provisions.
REPLY OF THE M'ENRRY COMMITTEE.
The McEnery committee replied
that its caucus was composed
of both pro-loetery and anti-lot-
lottery men. who had come alike instructed
to submit the lottery question to white
primaries. The McEnery delegations, with
the possible exception of six, had been in
structed to submit to the people who had
voted for them as delegates. For the Mo
Emery faction now to Insert the plank re-
Quested would be to abandon their position
and make an acknowledgement to the world
that they were simply office seekere and
place hunters who were told that unless
they did this they would be counted out
and another ticket run and
elected. 1t would mean nothing
position; would conset to desert their
principles and receive the stigma of being
mere place hunters and that each man
would 60 back to his people branded as a
man who sacrificed principle in order to
secure spells.
As there was no probability Of the two
committees coming to an agreement the
Adams committee withdrew.
LANIER DEPosED.
To-day when the state committee con-
vened at o'clock, Secretary Flynn read
letter from Chairman Lanier, stating that
be would not be present. The committee
then took a recess until IL o'clock. When
the committees re-assembled, resolution
vas adopted reciting that by reason of Chair
man Laniers refusal to perform the duty
required Of him by democratic usage and
call the committee to order at the appointed
hour that the committee proceed to reor-
ganizA This was carried. Gov. @. Wick
life was then unanimously elected chair
mao OF the convention, aud at 10 O'clock
the committee notified Chairman Lanier
that he had been deposed. The committee
then proceeded to effect arrangements for
a nominating convention that was to be held
later in the day. The anti-lottery mem
bers, with Mr.. Lanier, whom they still
recognize as chairman, also held a ses-
sion for a similar purpose. Efforts
were made to heal the breach but without
avail, and at noon two conventions each
to represent the democracy OF the
state, assembled. Nothing beyond the
usual routine business Of organization was
done by either body except the appointments
VI q COHuLlAUL60 NY mCEnoTT 10 confer
with his opponents and to find upon what
grounds. IL any. compromise could be
reached.
DEMANDS OF THE FARMERS.
In the meantime the anti-McEnery fac
tion had trouble of its own to SETTLE There
was great desire ON the part of the anti
lottery men TO abrogafe the Lafayette
agreement and bring about the nomination
of "a new ticket, IN which the farmers were
to have part, but not the leader
ship. Several conferences were
held with the farmers, but the latter re-
fused to move an inch, insisting upon the
terms OF the agreement and l.. 8. Adams
for governor. The convention will, there
fore, doubtless carry out the agreement, as
a refusal would result in another division
and straightout farmers ticket.
The sensation of this evening was the
sending of a communication from the Nc
Emery convention to the anti-lottery con-
vention inviting all regularly elected dele
gates to participate. The message
was carried by ex-senator Jones,
but was refused in terms
the breach. The McEnery con-
ventlon will probably remain in session
until Saturday, going through the contests.
The anti-lottery convention will nominate
Farmer T. s. Adams and will probably adj
journ tomorrow.
CLEMENTS FOR COMMISSIONER.