The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1912-06-14

8 DELEGATES FOR WILSON



Baton Rouge. - After the Champ
Clark forces had won control of the
delegates to the national convention
at Baltimore, Y to s, they were I'M
able to put through the unit rule re-
solution, and the Louisiana delegates
will 20 to Baltimore uninstructed and
unbound. They may cast individual
votes upon arriving there, or they may
adopt a unit rule after reaching the
national convention.
This Democratic convention will go
down in history as one of the storm
lest and most bitterly.Waged at any
time since the days of old. 1t was a
battle royal between the Clark and
Wilson forces from the start. After
the selection Of delegates and Clark had
secured II and Wilson S, everyone
began to breathe easy, and mo,
ton for adjournment was looked for
ward to. 1t was already after mid
night. The convention had sat since
s p. m. Then, like a flash, when it
was believed the storm had passed,
Ferd c. Claiborne, of Pointe Coupee,
hurried to the secreIary's desk the
following resolution, which instantly
threw the great convention into con-
fusion and turmoil:
BE it resolved by this convention,
That the delegates elected to the ma
tional convention be directed and in
structed to vote as a unit on all propo-
sitions on which they are authorized
to vote. The majority of said delega-
tons to control and represent the &C
ton Of the whole
The fight was no. Fifty men were
standing on chairs shouting at the top
of their voices for recognition.
Caleb Weber, of Ascension, moved
that the convention adjourn.
That aroused more excitement. The
Clark people had won the convention,
and many were anxious to put on the
clincher, although some Clark dele
cations were opposed to the unit rule,
and in the line up that followed it was
seen that several Clark parishes voted
against the rule. Governor Hall, it
was said. was opposed to the rider.
There was a demand for roll call on
the motion to adjourn, and on this the
issue came. The long roll at midnight
provided a dramatic scene in a con-
vention hall packed to the doors with
hundreds Of excited, nervous men. On
the motion to adjourn the result stood:
For adjournment, 1874; against, 1872.
Net results of the convention:
Clark delegates, -; Wilson, s; total,
20. For national committeeman, Col
onel Ewing, of Orleans, elected unani-
mously.
Six delegates at large: Governor
L. E. Hall, Monroe Clark; Mayor
Martin Behrman, Orleans Clark;
Robert Ewing, Orleans (Wilson);
Newton c. Blanchard, Shreveport
Wilson); Theodore S. Wilkinson,
Plaquemine (Wlison); A. P. Pujo, Lake
Charles Clark.
First Congressional District-Vic-
tor Mauhert and Alex Pujol, Or
leans, both Clark.
Second District-Paul Berthelot. st.
John, and W. O. Hart, New Orleans,
both Clark.
Third DiStrict-Roberl F. Broussard,
Iberia, and Joseph E. HUMPHREYS, Ter
rebonne. both Wilson.
Fourth District-James M. Foster,
Shreveport, and C. NJ. Elan, Mans
field, both Wilson.
Fifth District-Allen Sholars, Mon
roe. and A. A. Barkdale, Ruston, both
Clark.
Sixth District-Robert C. Wickliffe,
West Felinciana, and Lewis l.. Nor
gan. Covington, both Clark.
Seventh District-E. G. Hunter,
Alexandria (Wilson), and P. L. Fer.
guson. Vernon (Clark).