The times., June 09, 1888, Special Edition, Image 1

About The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897

Image provided by: Central Michigan University, Clark Historical Library

                
Democrats in Convention at St. Louis
Nominate Their Standard
Bearers."
A Lively Fight for Their Favorites
Between the Thurman and
Gray Delegates.
The IM at form mm Adopted In Full Tbe Per
mancnt ChairmanProceedings
of tli Convention. '
, FIRST OAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
St. Louis, Mo., June 5. Convention day
had barely (Uvviied when the various delega
tion and dabs were astir and the early
risers besieged the doors of the dining-rooms
long tteforo the cooks and waiter were
ready for ti e charge.
A. massive Lronze statue of President
Cleveland, supported by a vase containing a
""mTIOX BC1LDINO.
gigantio Isvtquet of the choicest flowers,
looked down upon Convention hall when the
doors were opened at 10 o'clock Tuesday
morning. Above an oil paint
ing of his excellency, were oil paint
lugs of Tildeu and Hendricks pre-
senting a vi vid reminder of the past and pres
ent. Decorations in the form of colored
bunting of tasteful designs gave the two tiers
of galleries n handsome appearance, and a
life sized eqnosti ' oi statue of Gen. Washing-
; ton, which stoo 1 beneath a canopy of flags
in the nortlift n gallery directly facing the
stage aided materially in adding effect to the
' general ensemble. To the south and north
west "was accorded the chief positions of
honor in the Hjiace on the floor reserved for
delegates. Alabama, Missouri, Nebraska
and Wisconsin occupied the first two rows of
' . Heats, with Virginia, West Virginia, Missis
sippi, California and Arkansas close in the
rear. . The extreme back seats were allotted
to the . big . Ohio contingent which
for some inscrutablo reason had been
relegated to the extremo southwest corner.
In the center Pennsylvania rubbed shoulders
with Little Rhody and Indiana with Illinois;
South Carolina nestled in between New
York and New Jersey; Iowa hugged Kan
sas; Maine fraternized with "My Maryland,"
and the men of Louisiana exchanged greet
ings with the brethren f from "Bleeding Kan
sas." ' '
There was no' hurry on the part
of the delegates in assembling.
The Indianians were the .first upon the
. grounds. They came in straggling, without
any attempt at show and were in their seats
before the audience had time to giva. them a
cheer. Then there was a lull, broken
" by the arrival of the Cleveland Democracy
THE COKVENTIOX CALLED TO ORDER.
from Buffalo. They marched in at the en
trance to tho upper gallery with a band of
forty pieces and a blue rilken banner at their
bead, took oil their ha4 r in response to the
applause which came from the visitors' sec
tion, trotted around the building, and then
. took up their quarters in the balcony directly
above the chair.
Another lull ensued, during which the
band rendered a medley of national airs,
which failed to evoke any particular enthusi
asm. When the Pennsylvania delegation,
beaded by'VV. L. Scott, made its appearance
the strains of "God Save America" were re
echoing through the structure, and the audit
ance rising to its feet gave the personal rep
resentative of President Cleveland a round
of applause. . Equally bearty despite their
Gray banner and badges was the reception
accorded to tho Hendricks club of Indianap
oils, which was escorted to scats in close
proximity to tho Cleveland Democrats from
Buffalo. The Colorado delegation came in
without ostentation, closely followed by the
Texans and Mary landers. For the
next fifteen minutes the delegates came in
pretty rapidly but nevertheless at 13 o'clock,
when the convention should have been called
to order, there was a big empty space in the
body of the ball The Missouri, Minnesota,
' Mississippi, New York and Illinois delega
tions were the principal laggards, but the lat
ter was cordially received when it came in,
tho enthusiasm even causing the bard, stern
lines in CoL Morrison's face to relax.
While the different delegations were
being seated Cleveland roses were distrib
uted along each row, and every delegate who
wanted a Ted bandana could have one for
tho asking. The Californians hoisted theirs
on their banner, the Kansas people following
suit. Wisconsin, Mississippi, West Virginia,
followed suit amid enthusiastic choors, and
the Indianans hoisted a white hat for Gray.
There were more cheers when the bandana
went up over Alabama, Oregon, and New
Jersey, and when Minnesota, New Mexico,
Massachusetts, and Tennessee followed suit,
Iowa fell into line. The Calif ornians called
for three cheers for Iowa, and they got it
with a vim.
North Carolina caOM Jtato - Hoe, and tha
Californians shouted themselves hoarse. The
Californians had taken time by the forelock
iu starting the Thurman enthusiasm of the
day, and they were in u decidedly jolly mood
over tho success of
their scheme. Still the
cheering and applause
cropped up from one
quarter or another
and the convention
was in danger of be
coming a good-natured
mob, when at 12:33
Hon. W. IL Barnum,
Of Connecticut, chair
man of the national
committee, arose,
smiled patronizingly
through his gold-
STEPHEN 1L wniTE.
framed eye-glasses upon Cleveland's bust and
brought down his gavel upon the desk. The
convention had been formally called to or
der. Without any remarks he introduced
Bisliop C. Cranberry, of St. Louis, who,
while the delegates rose to their feet, deliv
ered a-brief but fervent prayer,
When the prayer was ended and the dele
gates had resumed their seats, Chairman
Barnum presented the report of the national
committee naming Lieutenant Governor
White, of California, as temporary chair
man. The report was unanimously adopted,
and Senator Gorman, of Maryland, Gen,
Powell, of Ohio, and CoL Dawson, of Soutk
Carolina were appointed to escort the tern
porary chairman to the platform. His ap
pearance was greeted with a double round ol
applause, and when it had subsided, in a cleat
ringing voice, which penetrated to the
furthest extremity of tho hall, he addressed
the convention.
. Cleveland's name when mentioned by the
temporary chairman took the convention by
storm, and the applause was deafening. He
got another round of applause when be re
ferred to tariff reform. When the speaker
concluded he was thanked with applause
which came from all parts of the house, and
for which he had repoatedly to bow his
thanks.
Just as soon as he had taken his seat Gov
ernor Green, of New Jersey, sent up a reso
lution adoptiifg the rules of the last conven
tion subject to soma slight modifications.
Waller, of Missouri, objected on the point ol
order that until the committee on credentials
had reported they did not know who com
posed the convention. The point was over
ruled, and the resolution was adopted by a
majority vote. Patterson, of Colorado, in
behalf of the delegations from that
state, rose in his seat to present to
tho chair a solid silver gavel, th
Flower. Cooper. Cliapin. Raines.
THE NEW TORK DELEQATES-AT-LAROE.
material from the bowels of Colorado's earth,
the workmanship tho handiwork of Colora
do's artisans. He hoped that with it would
be made the announcement of President
Cleveland's renomination. The present was
accepted, the chairman saying that for the
present the convention would have to be
ruled by silver, Senator Gorman, of Mary
land, who upon being Recognized received a
warm welcome, moved that the roll of states
be callod for the members of various com
mittees and that all resolutions be referred
to the appropriate committees without de
bate. Tho resolution was adopted without
opposition and the roll was called.
As tho states were callod the names of the
principal leaders were received with ap
plause. Henry Watterson, ex-mayor
Cooper, of New York; ex-Governor Abbett,
of New Jersey; Senator Turpie, of Indiana;
Senator Gorman, of Maryland ; Lewis C.
Cassidy, of Pennsylvania, being among those
honored.
When the call of tho roll had tieen com
pleted at 1 :40 Mr. O'Brien, of Minnesota,
moved that as there was a contest in Dakota
all those claiming to be delegates from that
territory t excluded from participation un
til the contests had been disposed of. The
resolution was adopted. This matter (lis
posed of. W. H. Pucey, of Iowa, suggested
that the ball be left open during the recess
for the inspection of visiting clubs, and
Baker, of Ohio, asked to have the sergeant-at-arms
instructed to find places for all the
uniformed clubs that bad come to tho city.
This latter proposition evoked a lively do
bate. Baker declared that 4,000 tickets had
been given to the members of the chamber of
commerce which should havo been given to
the visiting clubs. Wilson, of Minnesota,
denounced the scheme as impracticable, and
ex-Governor Abbett, of New Jersey, elicited
applause by the statement that there was no
difference between uniformed clubs and un
uniformed clubs. Finally, after several
other speeches, the whole matter was dis
posed of by being referred to the national
committee. ' '
The delegates were now getting tired and
there was so much confusion that tho chair
broke bis gavel in obtaining order. RoswelJ
P. Flower, of New York, moved a recosi un
til noon Wednesday be taken. Governoi
Abbett objected and suggested 10 a. m. os
the ground that he desired to see the presi
dent renominated on the second and not on
the third day. The majority settled the
question in favor of Governor Abbett, and
at preeineiy 2 o'clock tho couvontion took a
recess uif Wednesday, morning at 10
o'clock. ' ' '
'. SECOM DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
St. Louis, June C At 0 o'clock Wednes
day morning the doors of the exposition
building were thrown open and the ball be
gan to till rapidly.
The first applause of tho morning wai
evoked when a magnificent floral shield
about four feet in bight was carried upon
the platform and placed before the chair
man's desk. It was a tributo to the perma-'
nent chairman, P. A. Collins, of Massachu
chusctts, whose name with that of his state
was inscribed across the , center in yellow
roses. The Church delegates , from Dakota,
CoL W, T. Steele and George H. Megguier,
who had been elected by the committee on
credentials, were among the first to arrive,
and there was- a self-satisfied look upon their
faces as they picked out their location.
At 10:22 Temporary Chairman White dealt
the desk several blows with the silver gavel
and called the convention to order. Then
the Rev. T. J. Green was introduced, and
while the- delcgatet and ttsitors arose, he
fern
prayed. The chairman announced amid ap
plause that credential had been handed in
from a delegation from Alaska, this . being
tho fir it time that a delegation of that
territory had sought admittance tc
a Democratic national - convention.
lie announced. tnas the papers
would go to the proper committee and was
about to call for the report of the committee
on permanent organization when Congress
man Timothy J. Campbell presented a me
morial, declaring that tho Monroe doctrine
should be strictly enforced ; that American
states should bo protected from European
encroachment, even by force if necessary
and that tho closest commercial and political
relation should be maintained with the Mex
lean, Central American and South American
states. Referred to the committee on resolu
tions.
Then Stephen Mallory, of Florida, took the
floor and submitted a resolution, the first line
of which was greeted with prolonged ap
plause which was renewed at the close. Mr.
Mallorv's resolution sets forth that this "con
vention approves of and hereby endorses the
principlo of tariff reform enunciated by
GROVER CLEVELAND,
President Cleveland in his first message to
the present congress, and to the policy rocom
mended by him for the practical application
of these principles to tho administration of
government wo give our unqualified and uni
versal support." Referred to the committee
on resolutions. ,
John C. Webber, of Alabama, next sub
mitted tho report on credentials, the reading
of which was waived, except so much as re
lated to the seating of the Church delegation.
It also reported that it had no official infor
mation of an Alaska delegation, but Mr.
Webb corrected this, and the report-was
adopted, Arthur II. Dclaney and A. II. Ban
ning being seated from Alaska. Next the
report of tho committee on rules and per
manent organization was called for, and ex-
Attorney Lewis Cassidy, of Philadelphia, re
ceived a round of applause when he took the
platform. It recommended that the conven
tion shculd adopt the same rules and order of
business that prevailed at the Chicago con
vention of 1884, with the modification that
no delegation shall bo permitted to change
its vote until after the call of states and ter
ritories has been completed. For permanent
officers the following names were submitted:
Chairman, Hon. Patrick A. Collins, of
Massachusetts; secretary, II. II. Ingersoll, of
Tennessee; assistant secretaries, Alfred Oren
dorff, of Illinois; T. E. Barrett, of Missouri;
W. W. Scott, of Virginia; O. M. Hall, of
Minnesota; Leopold Struss, of Alabama; L.
G. Rowley, of Michigan; John Triplett, of
Georgia; T. J. Lingle, of Missouri; O. New
ell, of Colorado; T. L. Merrill, of Nebraska;
chief reading secretary, Hon. Thomas Pet
tit; sergeant-at-arms, R. J. Bright; chief
doorkeeper, Daniel Able, of St. Louis. There
was no opposition to the adoption of tho re
port, and the temporary chairman selected
Hon. W. H. Barnum, of Connecticut; Ros
well P. Flower, of New York, and John O.
Day, of Mjssouri, to escort Mr. Collins to tho
chair. His presence upon tho platform, was
the signal for long and continued applause,
SCENE IN THE CONVENTION.
the Massachusetts delegation getting upon its
chairs and yelling itself hoarso. Tho enthu
siasm was renewed whon Mr. White, thank
ing tho convention for the courtesy extended
him, introduced his successor, and it ' was
continued while two of the Tennessee dele
gates carried upon the platform, a framed
vignette of the coat of arms of that state
with pictures of tho president and Mrs. Cleve
land, the whole surmounted by a migniflcent
floral wreath.
' Mr. Collins thanked the convention for tho
honor, and paid a glowing tributo to Thom
as Jefferson and the Democratic party.
The applause was general when Chairman
Collins ' bad concluded his address, and then
the convention took it easy for a few mo
ments while the numerous gentlemen who
bad been honored by their selection as vice
presidents found their way to the stage. Or
der once more secured, the delegates had an
unpleasant surprise in the announcement by
the chairman that he bad received a com
munication from the . committee on resolu
tions saying that it would be impossible to
present a report until 8 p. m. A murmur
went through the crowded hall, and it was
evident that the delegation was anything but
sattsflod with the prospects of staying here
another night. Nothing could be done,
however, and Delegate Walters, of Missouri,
availed himself of the opportunity to submit
a long preamble and a series of resolutions,
which were read amid a great deal of noise,
A communication was the read from Mrs..
Virginia L, Minor and Mrs. E. A. Meri
weatber, stating that they had been ap
pointed by the Women's convention, recently
held at Washington, to present the cause of
women to the present convention, and asking
that one of thoir number - be heard for ton
minutes. There were cheers, laughter, Jeers,
ironical applause, and shouts of 'Na" i
Mr. O'Donohue, of New York, offered tf
resolution giving the women an opportunity
' to be beard, which was adopted. Then Dele
gato Charles E. Boyle, of Pennsylvania, se
cured the passage of a resolution upon which
all further resolutions should go Uthe com
mittee without reading. But it happened
that Dulogate Timothy J. Campbell, of New
York, bad in his hand a resolution express
ing sympathy with Gen. Sheridan in his ill
ness, and without stating its purport, asked
unanimous consent for its consideration. A
storm of objections were raised from ail
parts of tho hall, and it was not until Mr.
Campbell had stated that the resolution in
no way referred to tho platform, that ob
jection was withdrawn and he was allowed
to proceed. There was applause when its
nature became apparent, and it was adopted
by a rising vote, all the delegates as well as a
majority of the visitors getting upon their
feet
The representative of the women of the
country was now presented. She proved to
be Mrs. Eliza Meri weather, of St. Louis, who
took a prominent part in the Prohibition con
vention at Indianapolis. So much confusion
prevailed that she could not be heard beyond
the platform and before she was half through
with her written address, cries of "time" com
pelled her to come to an abrupt conclusion.
Sho retired from tbo platform with great
disappointment and chagrin.
. Mr. . Barnum, of Connecticut, moved . that
when the convention adjourned it should be
until 10 o'clock Thursday morning. This was
amended to 8 p. m. Wednesday. Renewed
confusion prevailed and in the midst of the
uproar Delegate Hensel, of Pennsylvania,
moved that tho convention proceed to the
nomination of candidates for the presidency
and vice presidency, but that no ballots be
taken until tho committee on platform had
reported. Brown, of Ohio, asked that the
latter clause bo stricken out, but by a ma
jority vote the convention refused to adjourn
and adopted ' Hensel's resolution. The clerk
commenced to call the- roll and a
ballot was called for. The chairman of the
delegation responded that they tendered the
first place on the call and the right to speak
to Now York. This brought out great cheer
ing, which was renewed whon Daniel Dough
erty was named ns the first orator to present
the name of Orover Cleveland. When this
talented acquisition from Tammany ap
peared upon tho platform to the right of the
chair, the enthusiasm of the vast audience
knew no bounds. Even this outburst, how
ever, was put in tho shado by the
storm that met his first mention of tho
president's name and his declaration that
New York pledged him her electoral vote.
Climbing up on chairs, desks, anything that
could give them an elevated position, the peo
ple cheered ana cheered, and cheered until
DOUGHERTY NOMINATING CLEVELAND.
it seemed as if the very walls and roof were
quivering. It was a magnificent, a memor
able exhibition of the inspiration that the
name of Grover Cleveland brings to the
Democracy. Nothing could bave been bet
ter than the delivery of the speech, which
was as follows:
I greet you, my countrymen, with fraternal re
gard. In your presence I bow to the majesty of
the people. The sight Itself is inspiring, the
thought sublime. You come from every state and
territory, from every nook and corner of our
ocean-lMwnded continent-covering . country.
You are aloiit to discharge a more than imiierlul
duty. With simplest ceremonials, you, the
representatives of tho people, are to choose a
magistrate with power mightier than a monarch,
yet checked and controlled by the supreme law of
the written constitution.
Thus impressed, I ascend the rostrum to name
the next president of tho United States. New
York presents him to the convention and pledges
her electoral vote. Delegations from the thirty
eight states and all the territories are hero assem
bled, without caucus or consultation, ready sim
ultaneously to take up the cry and make the vote
unanimous. We are here, indeed, not to
choose a candidate only to name the one tho
people have already chosen. He is the man for
the people. His career Illustrates the glory of
our institutions. Eight years ago unknown, Bave
in his own locality, he for the last four has
stood in the gaze of the world discharging the
most exalted duties that can be confided to a
mortal. To day determines that, not of his own
choice, but by the mandate of his countrymen
and with the sanction of heaven, he shall fill the
presidency for four years more. He has met and
mastered every question as if from youth
trained to statesmanship. Tho promises of his
letter of acceptance and Inaugural address havo
been fulfilled. His fidelity in the past inspires
faith in the future. He is not a hoie, he is a re
alization.
Scorning subterfuge, disdaining re-election by
concealing convictions, mindful of his oatli of
office to defend the constitution, he courageously
declares to congress, dropping minor matters,
that the supreme issue Is reform, revision, and
reduction of national taxation. That the treas
ury of the United States, glutted with unneeded
gold, oppresses Industry, embarrasses business,
endangers financial tranquillity and breeds ex
travagance, centralization, and corruption. That
nigh taxation, vital for the expenditures of an un
paralleled war, is robbery In years of prosperous
leace. That the millions that )our Into ths
treasury come from the hard-earned savings ol
the American people. That in violation of equal
ity of rights, the present tariff has created a
privileged class, who, shaping legislation for per
sonal gain, levy by law contributions for tho nec
essaries of life from every man, woman, and
child In the laud. That to lower tho tariff is not
free trade; it is to reduce the unjust profits of
monopolists and boss manufacturers, and allow
consumers to retain the rest. The man who as
serts that to lower the tariff means free trade In
sults intelligence. We brand htm as a falsifier.
It Is farthest from thought to Imperil capital or
dl;turb enterprises. The aim Is to uphold wages
ana protect tne right or an.
This administration has rescued the public do
main from would-bo barons and cormorant cor
porations, faithless to obligations, and reserved
It ror tree homes ror this and coming generations.
There is no pilfering, there are no Jobs, under this
administration. Publio office Is a public trust.
integrity stands guard at every post of our vast
empire. While tho president has been the me
dium through which has flowed the undying
gratitude of the republic for her soldiers, be has
not hesitated to withhold approval from special
legislation if strictest inquiry reveals a want of
truth and justice. Above alL sectional strife, as
never before, Is at an end, and 00,000,000 of free
men, in the ties of brotherhood, are prosperous
and happy, '
These are the achievements of tins administra
tion.
Under the same illustrious leader we are ready
toneet our political opponents in high and honor
able debate, and stake our triumph on the intelli
gence, virtue and patriotism of the people. Ad
hering to the constitution, its every line and let
ter, ever remembering that Towers not dele
gated to the United States by the constitution
nor prohibited by it to the states are reserved to
the states resectlvily or to the people," by the
authority of tho Democracy of New York, backed
by the Democracy of the entire Uulon, I give you
a name eutwlned with victory. I nominate
Orover Cleveland of New York. '
The climax was reached whon with arms
raised over his head and hands clenched the
orator concluded, "I nominate Grover Cleve
land, of New York,"
' The convention seemed to go wild and the
cheering continued for exactly twenty-three
minutes. Cleveland's nomination was sec
onded by McKenzie, of Kentucky, and oth
era, after which the rules were suspended
and the nomination made by acclamation.
The convention thon adjourned until 10
o'clock Thursday morning.
THIRD DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
St. Louis, June 7. The delegates to the
national convention were prompt in assem
bling on the third and closing day. Tho Mis
souri delegation entered in a body fifteen
minutes ahead of time, and the Ohioans fol
lowed close at their heels. As soon as they
I ' " VJ rjf-TJAi TT 1 11' .in v .
ALLEN O. THURMAN.
had taken thoir seats they hoisted the red
bandana on the top of their banner, and the
throng abovo gave the first cheer of the
morning. Then in turn Michigan, Wiscon
sin, Virginia, West Virginia, Oregon, Cali
fornia and Pennsylvania followed suit, and
each was recognized with a shout and a
cheer. This encouraged Ma ino and Illi
nois, and they, too, fell into line.
Meanwhilo a good many of the delegates had
divested themselves of fcoats and vests, and
in some instances of neckties and collars, and
were playing their fans with all tho vigor
that remained in them. The first act of the
Indiana delegation was to hoist a gray hat
with streamers of the same color. The
audience greeted their favorites as they
strolled in with bursts of applause, and it
was evident that so far as the day could be
made more enthusiastic and inspiring than
other days by the efforts of the audience,
they intended to contribute to that end in
dustriously and with sincerity.
Upon the convention being callod to order
at 10:'J5 prayer was offered by Rev. Dr.
Brank. Tho chair announced that the com
mittee on resolutions was ready to report,
and Chairman Collins' said: "I present Mr.
Henry Watterson, of Kentucky."
The Kentucky editor took his place at the
right of tho chairman, waved his hand and
said: "These resolutions have boon agreed
upon unanimously." , .
Ho was lustily cheered as he had been by
the simple announcement of his name. Clerk;
Pettit, in a voice that everybody could hear,
read tho platform, interrupted now and then
by respectful but irrepressible applause. The
platform is as follows:
The Democratic party of the United States, in
national convention assembled, renews the pledge
of its fidelity to Democratic faith and reaffirms
tho platform adopted by its representatives in the
convention of 1NH4, and endorses the views ex
pressed by President Cleveland In his last annual
message to congress as the correct Interpretation
of that platform upon the question of tariff reduc
tion; and also endorses the efforts of our Demo
cratic reprepresentatives in congress to secure a
reduction of taxation. Chief among its principles
of party faith are the maintenance .of an indis
soluble union tf free and Indestructible states,
now about to enter upon its second century of un
exampled progress and renown; devotion to a
plan of government, regulated by a written con
stitution strictly specifying every granted power
and expressly reserving to the states or people,
the entire ungranted residue of power; the en
couragement of a jealous popular vigilance, di
rected to all who have been chosen for brief terms
to enact and execute the laws, and are charged
with the duty of preserving peace, ensuring
equality and establishing justice. The Democratic
party welcome an exacting scrutiny of the ad
ministration of the executive power, which four
years ago was committed to its trust, in the elec
tion of Orover Cleveland, president of the United
States, and it challenges the most searching in
quiry concerning its fidelity and devotion to the,
pledges which then invited the suffrages of the
people. '
During a most critical period of our financial
affairs, resulting from over-taxation, the anomal
ous condition of our currency, and a public debt
unmatured, it has, by tho adoption of a wise
and conservative course, not only averted dis
aster, but greatly promoted the prosperity of the
people. It has reversed the improvident andfun
wLse policy of the Republican party touching the
public domain, and has reclaimed from corpora
tions and syndicates, alien and domestic, and re
stored to the people, nearly 100,000,000 of acres of
valuable land to le sacredly held as homesteads
for our citizens.
While carefully guarding tho Interests of the
taxpayers aud conforming strictly to tho princi
ples of justice and equity, it has paid out more
for pensions and bounties to the soldiers aud sail
ors of the republic than was ever paid before dur
ing an equal period.
liy intelligent management and a judicious and
economical expenditure of the public money, it
has set on foot the reconstruction of the American
navy upon a system that forbids the recurrence
of scaudal aud insures successful results.
It has adopted and consistently pursued a firm
and prudent foreign policy, preserving peace with
all nations while scrupulously maintaining all
the rights and interests of our own government
and peop4e at home and abroad. Tho exclusion
from our shores of Chinese laborers has been ef
fectually secured under the provisions of a
treaty, tho operation of which has been postponed
by the action of a Ilcpubllcau majority iu the
senate.
Honest reform in the civil service bos been
inaugurated and maintained by President Cleve
land, and he has brought the public service to the
highest standard of efficiency, not only by ride
and precept, but by tho example of his own un
tiring and unselfish administration of publio af
fairs. In every branch and department of the gov
ernment under Democratic control, the rlghta
and the welfare of all the people have been
guarded and defended; every publio interest has
been protected, and tho equality of nil our citi
zens ticforo tho law without regard to race or
color has been steadfastly malutaiued.
Upon its record thus exhibited and upon the
pledge of a contiuuanoe to the people of the ben
efits of good government, the national Demo
cracy Invokes a renewal of popular trust by the
re-election of chief magistrate who has been
faithful, able and prudent. They Invoke In addi
tion to that trust the transfer to the Democracy
of the entire legislative power.
Tho Republican party, controlling the senate,
and resisting in both houses of congress a refor
mation of unjust and unequal tax laws, which
have outlasted the necessities of war and are now
undermining the abundance of a king peace, deny
to the people equality before the law and the
fairness and the Just loo which re their right.
Thus the cry of American labor for a bolter share
of the rewards of Industry is stifled with false
pretenses, enterprise Is fettered and bound down
to borne markets. Capital is disturbed without
doubt, and unequal, unjust laws can neither be.
properly amondad nor appealed.
The Democratio party wOl continue with aQ
the power confided to it to struggle to reform
these laws la accordance with tha pladff , of la
last platform indorsed at the ballot-bo, by. the
suffrages of the people.
Of all. the industrious, frewnaaof our land aa
immense majority, including every tiller of tbe
soil, gain no advantage from excessive tax lava;
but the price of nearly everything they buy la la
creased by the favoritism of an unequal aysfmof
tax legislation. All unnecessary taxation la un
just taxation. It is repugnant to the . creed ol
Democracy that by such taxation the cost of tbe
necessaries of life should be unjustly increased te
all our people. Judged by democratio principles,
the interests of the people are betrayed, when, by
unnecessary taxation, trust and combwatioM
are permitted and fostered which will unduly eat
rich the few that combine to rob the many of our "
citizena by depriving them or the benefit of nat
ural competition. Every democratio rule of gov
ernmental action is violated when through un
necessary taxation a vast sum of money, far be
yond the needs of an economical administration, la
drawn from the people and tba channels of trade,
and accumulated as a demoralizing aurplus ia the'
national treasury, The money now lying idle in tba
federal treasury resulting from aupertluous taxac
tion amounts to more tbaa $1)0,000,000; and the
surplus collected is reaching the Bum of more
than $00,000,000 annually. Debauched by thla
great temptation, the remedy of the Republican .,
party is to meet and exhaust it by extravagant
taxation. The Democratio remedy Is to enforce
frugality in publio expenditures, and aboliab un- -necessary
taxation. . Our established domestt
industries Aid enterprises' should not and aee4
not be endangered by a reduction and correotioe
of the burdens of taxation. On the contrary,
fair and careful revision of our tax laws, with due
allowance for the difference between the wage of
American and foreign labor, must permit and co
courage every branch of such Industry and enter
prise by giving them assurance of an extended
market and steady and continuous operation. Is
the interest of American labor, which should ' la
no event be neglected the revision of our tax
laws contemplated by the Democratic party, aat
to promote the advantage of auch labor, by
cheapening the cost of the necessaries of , life la
the home of every worldngman and at toe earn
time securing to him steady and remunerative
employment. . '
Upon this question of tariff reform, so closely
concerning every phase of our national life, and
upon every question involved in the problem of
good government the Democratio party submits
its principles and professions to the intelligent
suffrages of the American people.
After the reading of "the platform Mr.
Watterson spoke for a few minutes in a tail
ing manner. He was followed by Senator
Gorman, wbo was heartily reoeived. . When.
Senator Gorman had concluded, CoL Wat-
terson moved the adoption of the report and
upon this moved the previous question. It
was ordered and the , platform was unani
mously adopted with rousing cheers. ' Then
Mr. Watterson announced that the commit
tee had approved and requested the passage
without discussion of three resolutions. . The
first was read by Hon. W. L. Bcott and da
manded the immediate passage of tba
bill now pending in the house representatives
for the reduction of the revenue
Cheer after cheer came from tba audience,
and they , were renewed when the
resolution was unanimously adopted. After
M.
READY TO GO HOKX.
this Hon. F. W. Lehmann, of Iowa, re
ceived an ovation when ha mounted the plat
form to submit a resolution declaring that i
the territories of Dakota, Washington, Mon- .
tana, and New Mexico, were entitled to admis
sion to the Union as states, and condemning
the action of the party ia excluding them. '
This resolution also went through with en
thusiasm. Governor Abbett next wvwmtjxt
the steps of .the platform, and after the ap
plause which greeted his appearance had tub
sided, he read a resolution of sympathy with
the Irish cause. Long-continued applause '
was given the names of Parnell and Glad- .
stone, and the reference to home rule, and
the resolution was quickly passed.
From his seat on the floor C. W. Baker, of
Ohio, secured unanimous consent for the
reading of a resolution of respect to the mem
ory of ex-Vice President Hendricks, paying
tribute to his statesmanship, patriotism and
fidelity, and tendering to his widow the affec
tionate respect and sympathy of the Demo
crata of the United b tales. , The resolution
was adopted by a rising vote, and when tha
delegates were seated the chair announced
that there was a slight mistake in the state
ment that the committee on platform was
unanimous in its agreement . Mr. Cooper,
of New York, he said, objected to a part of
it A murmur of surprise went through the. .
hall at this statement And now the con van '
tion began to get down to the most import .
tant business of the day. A motion
was made by Lieutenant Governor, White,
of California, that the roll
should be called for the nomination of candi
dates for the vice presidency. - It was so or
dered and the clerk lost no time in getting to
work. There was no response to the call un
til California was reached. There was a
pause, followed by alight cheering as Senator
Tarpey left bis delegation and stepped upon
the platform. . . . -
When Tarpey proposed that Thurman be
nominated by acclamation the Gray men
came to the rescue of their candidate and .
enthusiastically hurrahed for' Gray for aQ
they wee worth. Mr. Tarpey was followed ; ,
by Patterson, of Colorado, placing Gen,,
Black in nomination. Ha referred to Thur
man's ago, and feared in' case of hLi death .
the senate might again be "cursed with an
other Ingalls." This was received with '
cheers on the floor and hisses in toe gaUertu,-
When Indiana was called there was a fear
ful burst of enthusiasm as Senator Voorheea .
mounted the platform to place Gray In com-.
inatiou. Cox, of Georgia, seconded - GrayV
nomination.
Thurman'a nomination was second ad by,
Dryden. of Missouri; Governor Green, of ,
New Jersey; Raines, of New York; PowalL
of Ohio; Dawaon,of South Carolina, and
other. The roll was then called and , tha..
voting was so overwhelmingly in favof of .'-
Thurman that . Sbanklin, of Indiana, with -.
drew Gray's and moved that Thurman'a nom .
Ination be made unanimous. The motion was)
carried, and at 2:08 p, m. the convention ad
journed sine die.
Costly DIaae In a Michigan Tewa. ,'
LaiXOSBDRO. Mich.. Juns 7.frr d.
stroyed an old unoccupied building next te
Williams' saloon, and spreading rapidly -swept
both sides of tha street. dMtrovia all .
the business houses east of the railroad tracer,
except four, besides two d walling bouses s4
tha onera hnnna Th 1m i (x.tl .
crer H0O.O0O, with very littla ixamuo
J
IS
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