The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1894-09-12
DESERT THEIR PARTY.
LOUISIANA PLANTERS 60 OVER TO
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
a Convention or Sugar Growers NJ cot ana
Denounce the Tariff as to sugar-In Ma
tionsl Politics They WIN Act With Re.
publiosns.
New ORLEANS, La, Sept. 6.-The
sugar planters convention in this city
today was the most remarkable gather
ing IN many years, and the first serious
break in the Democratic party in tWen-
ty years is now actually threatened.
The convention declared in favor of an
alliance with the Republican party on
national issues and two and possibly
| three Congressional Districts, compris.
ing the sugar region, are endangered
to the Democrats. There were proba.
bly, three hundred representative men
present at the convention and, as near
ly all OF them are men Of wealth with
large influence and with power to con-
troll a considerable following, the &C
tlon they have taken cannot be under
estimated.
Tbs meeting was called to order by
Richard Mccall. cne of the leading
planters of the Third District, and Mr..
E. n. Pugh of Ascension, a near rsla-
tive of Justice Nichols, was made
chairman. Among thuse who partici-
pated In the discussion were Mr.. w. z.
Howell, a prominent Democrat of La
Foucbere, H. Z. Kernochan, who was
naval officer under Cleveland, Albert
Estopinal, Democratic State Senator,
who may be the planters candidate in
the First District, G. p. Anderson, a
wealthy planter of Plaquemine, James
A. Ware, Democratic Representative
In the Legislature from Ibergille, Coz.
J. d. Hill, Capt. j. Pharr and others.
Mr.J ohm Daymond was the only speak.
er who strenuously opposed secession
from the Democratic party. Messrs.
| Howell, Weems, Kernochan AMI VIII.
kinson, brother of Collector Wilkinson,
were appointed committee to propose
plan for the collection of the bounty
on this years crop. The committee re.
ported and their report was adopted.
The convention then took up the
political questions. Mccall, Pdgh.
KernochaD, Estopinal, Ware and others
advised an alliance with the Republl-
can party. They said that they had
been betrayed by the Democrats, and
that the only hope of protection for
sugar lay in joining of hands with
the Republicans. They realized the
full import OF breaking with the Dem
ocratic party, but feeling that tie ne.
gro question was no longer an issue
and tnat the white race would forever
govern the Southern country, they said
they had reached the conclusion that
self-preservation required an atfiliatton
with party that would give them the
protection necessary for the prosperity
of the industry which is the backbone
of the State.
The following committee was ap-
pointed on resolutions and 1t may be
said that the gentlemen named are
among the wealthiest and best known
in the State: Messrs. j. A. Ware, Fl
Mccall, D. L. Monnot. Charles Mat.
thews, Louis Clark, 3. A. Oxnard,
Charles Godchaux, D. S. Ferris, G. Z.
Anderson, L. j. Sully, Charles Magin-
mis-, Wyley Thompson, John Dymond,
w. H. Chafee, e. Breaux, Honore
Dugas, w. p. Flower, Gen. W. II. Be-
hand, T. Suffl3 and Capt. j. N. Pharr.
The com mittee reported elaborate
resolutions, 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 be.
trayed and blow struck at its chief
industry by that party. and caused its
absolute ruin, and that the nomination
of protection candidates and their elec-
ton had become necessity. The res
olutions were adopted by rising vote.
1t was decided to meet again on the
Itch of September in this city when the
plans of the sugar planters Will be per-
fected. It was also decided to nomf-
nate candidate in the three sugar
districts and to affiliate with the Rs.
publicans.
The report of the committee on reso-
lutions Rhich was adopted at the out
set declares: A crisis has arrived in the
politics OF our State. Very many Of US
who for many years co.operated with
the Democratic party and have Loyalty
supported its candidates have done so
with the belief and with the assurance
that that paLCy would maintain fair
protsctiol go the products grown by
US. We had personal anu pcS:ss:vf as.
surance from the Democratic candi-
date for the Presidency. Grover Cleve-
land, during the late Presidential cam
paign and we likewise had the personal
assurances of the leaders Of the Demo-
cratic party to the same effect.