Birmingham age-herald., 1894-09-07
LOOKS LIKE A SPLIT. Louisiana Sugar Planters Hold a
 Convention,
THEY DEN0UNCE DEMOCRACY
And Decide to Affiliate With the Republicans to Protect
 the Sugar Industry.

NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 6.-The sugar planters convention in this city today was the most remarkable gathering in many years, and the first serious break in the democratic party in twenty years is now actually threatened.
 The convention declared in favor of an alliance with the republican party on na- tional issues, and two and possibly three congressional districts, comprising the su- gar region, are endangered to the demo- crats. There were pro bably 3C0 representa- tive men present at the convention, and as nearly all of them are men of wealth, with large influence and with power to control considerable following, the action they have taken cannot be underestlnated.
 The meeting was called to order by Rich- ard Mccall. one of the leading planters of the Third district, and MT. E. N. Pugh of Ascension, a near relative of Chief Justice Nicholls, was made chairman. Among those who participated in the discussion were MT. w. E. Howell, a prominent democrat of LaFourche; H. P. Kernochan. who was naval officer under Cleveland; Albert Estopinal, democratic state sen ator, who may be the planters candidate in the First district; c. P. Anderson, wealthy planter of Plaquemine; James A. Ware, democratic representative in the legislature from Iberville; Col. J. D. Hill, Capt. J. N. Pharr and others.
 MT. John Dymond was the only speaker who streruously opposed secession from the democratic party. Messrs. Howell, Weems, kernochan and Wilkinson, brother of Collector Wilkinson, were ap- pointed a committee to propose plan for the collection of the bounty on this year. s crop.
 The committee reported and their report was adopted.
 The convention then took up the po- litical question.
 topinal, Ware and others advised an alli- anco with the republican party. They said that they had been betrayed by the democrats, and that the only hope of pro- lection for sugar lay in joining of hands full import of breaking with the demo- cratic party, but, feeling that the negro question was o longer an issue and that the white race would forever govern the southern country, they said they had reached the conclusion that self preserva- tion required an affiliation with party that would give them the protection neces- sary for the prosperity of the industry which is the backbone 0f the srafe.
 The following committee was appointed on resolutions, and it may be sid that the gentlemen named are among the wealthiest and best known in the state: Messrs. J. R. Ware, T. H. Mccall, D. L. Monnett, Charles Matthews, Louis Clark, B. A. Oxnard, Charles Godchaux, 0. P. Ander- son, D. S. Ferris, T. J. Suily, Charles Maginniss, Wyly Thompson, John Dy- mond, w. H. Chaffe, e. Breaux, Honore Dugas, w. P. Flower, Gen. ". H. Be- hand, T. Suffie and Capt. J. N. Pharr.
 The committee reported elaborate resolu- tions, setting forth that the white people of Louisiana and the planters for many years had been loyal to the democratic party through victory and defeat, but that the state had been betrayed and blow struck at its chief industry by that party that threatened it's absolute ruin, and that the nomination of protection candidates and their election had become a necessity. The resolutions were adopted by rising vote.
 It was decided to meet again on the 17th of September in this city, when the plans of the sugar planters will be perfected. It was also decided to nominate candidate in the three sugar districts and to affiliate with the republicans.