The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1896-09-02
Meeting of the Democratic Con.
gfessiOnal Committee Of the
Fourth District.

1IlCVlACUs
The Democratic Executive Committee
of the Fourth Congressional District CON-
vened in Shreveport on Wednesday, Hon.
G. L. P. Wrenu, OF Webster, chairman,
presiding, and A. NJ. Hewitt, of DeSoto,
acting az secretary. There we're thirteen
out of fifteen members present. as fol-
lows:
Bienville-W. U. Richardson.
Bossier-J. A. w. Lowery.
Caddo-L. B. Phillips.
DeSoto-A. M. Hewitt.
Observation-Disclosures Fleming; proxy
l.. Caspari.
Rspides-J. G. White; proxy, J. W..
Alexander.
Red River-J. G. Pugh; proxy. J. D.
wilkinson.
Sabine. NJ. Frsnkling; proxy, P. NJ.
Potts.
Vermont. A. Wingate; proxy, DR.. E..
e. Smart.
Webster-G. l.. P. Wrenn.
"IuU-aCuIy OCInot0lAs
At Large-J. NJ. Foster, B. F. Edwards.
The abseutees were J. H. Kemp, men,
Der from Grant parish, and Mr. G. W. Boil
ton, member at large.
The first question which engaged the
attention of the committee was that OF the
proxy of the Grant parish member, which
was held by Mr.. 81. Bernstein, of Wlnn
parish.
Secretary Hewitt called attention to the
rule which forbade the holding OF proxies
except by a resident of the parish from
which the proxy was sent. This brought
on some discussion, and ended In q recess
OF fifteen minutes to allow the secretary
to examine the rules governing the body
on this point.
When the meeting was called to order
again the question whether the rules Of a
former Executive Committee were bind
Ing on this body was discussed at some
length, and the decision Of the chair was
called for. The chair announced that he
would hold that the rules OF the former
committee were in force until new rules
were adopted by the committee.
Mr.. Bernstein, of VIM, offered the fol.
lowing resolution:
Be 1t resolved by the Democratic Con-
gressionai Committee Of the Fourth Con-
gressional District. that the rule prohib-
iting on.residents OF parish to be
recognized as proxies for members OF this
committee be and the same is hereby
amended 80 as to permit members OF this
committee to act as proxies for members
Of other than their own parishes.
Mr. Bernstein's resolution was seconded
by Richardson, Of Bienville, and an aye
and nay vote was called for, and the reso-
luton was lost, the vote standing ayes
and s nays.
Mr.. Bernstein moved that a committee
OF three on rules be appointed by the
chair. Amended by Mr.. Wilkinson, "that
the rules Of the former executive commit
tee be and are hereby adopted and recog-
nized as the rules for the government OF
this committee"
Mr.. w. U. Richardson made q stirring
appeal for representation for Grant parish,
but Nh. Wiikinson's resolution prevailed
and shut ont all possibility Of Mr.. Bern
stein acting as proxy for the Grant parish
member.
The following resolution, after some
changes, was offered by Mr.. Wilkinson OF
Red River:
"Be it resolved by the Democratic Ex-
ecutive Committee Of the Fourth Congress
sioual District of Louisiana, that there be
held Congressional Convention at the
city Of Shreveport, on October l, 1886,
composed of delegates from the different
parishes of said district, for the parpose
Of nominsting Democratic candidate for
Congress.
"Bs it further resolved, that the mode
and manner of selecting the delegates to
the said convention be left to the Demo-
cratic Executive Committee of the differ
ent parishes, in conjunction with the
member of this committee from each re-
spective parish, and that tho basis OF rep
resentation be the same as fixed by the
last State convention, and that the dele
gates to said convention be elected on the
Ath day Of September, A. D. 1885,"
The following substitute was offered by
Mr.. Hewitt, OF De6oto:
"Resolved. That general white Demo.
cratic primary be held throughout the
Fourth Congressional District on the 23rd
day of September, 1896, for the purpose OF
uominatinga candidate for Congress; said
election to be held under the same rules
aud regulations as was adopted by this
committee ct the last election.
"In az much as it is understood that
some members of the committee do no,
consider themselves bound by the solemn
instructions Of the people who, by thei,
votes at former election, instructed TO,
primaries as method of making nomi.
nations; therefore, be it
Resolved, That to settle this matter tn,
said question be re-submitted to the peo
pie for their ratification or rejection.
Recognizing the necessity and deeminf
1t opportune at this time to reclaim ant
reorganise the disaffected forces of tn,
party; be it
"Resoived, That all former Democrats
who will support the nominee, are in vitet
to return and participate with as on ar
equal footing. to the end that the best In
terests Of the people may be subserved.'
Mr.. Hewitt's resolution was seconded
by Mr.. Lowry, Of Bossier, and a genera
discussion ensued, which was participated