The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-16
PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRATIC
STATE CONVENTION.

STATE CONVENTION.
| This Convention, called for the nomination of
| candidate for Governor, met at Harrisburg on
| wednesday last. JOHN H. EWING, of Wash
lngton county, was chosen President and Is
Vice President, and Secretaries appointed
The Convention was composed Of some of the
first men of the State and patriotic and en-
thusiastic spirit prevailed Hon. JOHN BANKS,
OF Reading, was unanimously nominated as a
candidate Of the Democratic Harrison party for
Governor. Several speeches were made--a
State organization was effected, and the follow
ing resolutions adopted:
Mr.. REED, from the Committee on Resolutions re-
ported the following which unanimously adopt
ed
Resoiped That this Convention representing the
great Democratic party which the Both Of October
last achieved glorious victory in the election Of Gen
William Henry Harrison, tie time honored sol iier of
the North Western War; appeal to their constituents
majority of the people of this Commonwealth, and
invoke fair and cordial support to his administration
thus far characterized by soicude for the public veal
Resotped, That the appeal thus made is justified by
the past career of veteran patriot against whom
no word of just reproach has been uttered and
who, the 4th Of March, lS4l, anxious to support
the Constitution and Laws in the face of day and be-
fore assembled thousands of glad and grateful
trymen announced the principles which should guide
his administration, and proclaimed the pure principles
of Democracy which he had learned in youth and
which in age he has not forgotten.
Resoired, That to render that support efectual and
te accomplish the permanent deveTance of this State
from the thIadom by which it has been long OPP
pressed il is necessary that the State Administration
should be changed and the same principle of whole
some reform which is now applied to abuses at Wash
ington be applied to abuses at Harrisburg.
Resoiped, That in the opinion of this Convention,
large majority of the people Of this Commonwealth
have withdrawn their confidence from the present
State Executive, who, by the abuse of the power in
trusted to him. has aenaed the good feeling of those
who once conided in him, has msapped the patron
age which the Constitution confers, by bcstowing
honor and Office individuals confessedly unworthy
and forcing the people painfully to realize that the bur
thens the law imposes on them to have allevia
ton in the honesty and ability of public agents.
Rcsoiped, That the expenses Of the State Govern
ment and especially of the administration ofthe pub
lie works, which exclusively under the charge of
the Executive have increased, increasing, and
ought to be Misunderstanding reached that point
where endurance ceases, and where the people will
be forced to decide, unless immediate and thorough
reform be instituted whether favorte policy shall be
abandoned, or new contributions be made by inn
poverished people to its support.
Resolved, That the number Of agents on the public
works ought in the opinion of this Convention, at
once to be reduced and the useless army of office
holders the canals and railroads be disbanded so
that revenue may meet expenditure and the public
purse be relieved from the dear support of those who
receive wages without doing work to earn them,
and the rules of economy which regulates each hard
working mans private family be applied to the house
hold Of the States
RESOLVED That this Convention knows no mode of
affecting these Reforms and this retrenchment Of pa
tronage and expense, but by change of the Execu-
tive the people and the Legislature have been made
to realize that the present Governor objections in
all measures which have tendency to Reform and is
pledged by his past acts and INSCRIPTIONS of the
age, such the people demand and the peoples Re-
representatives. have approved
Resoired, That by the acts Of the Executive the
people taught to doubt the efficacy of the laws and
the certainty with which punishment ought to follow
admitted crime, and have witnessed the degrading
spectacle of the abuse and prostitution Of mercifu
prerogative to afford immunity of slander-the viola
ton of Judicial rules Ivy pardon before trial and
general warrant to centous press to defame much
peases, SO long II is secure in Executive favor
Resoioed, That It is the popular voice which now
calls to deserved promotion, an honored son of Penn
syvans, whom the people have trusted and
who never has deceived them map Of unsued in
tegrity and commanding talents, pledged to the cause
of his country, Of Reform and the Supremacy of the
Laws by life Of public service and endeared to the
affections of various portions of the State who know
and respect him. Our candidate-the Harrison can
didatethe candidate pledged TO economy and Reform
the candidate the Convention presents to the
peopleis JOHN BANKS Of Bcrks county
Resoired, That the true interests Of Pennsylvania
require that ison should be omitted OF asserting
the true Pennsylvania doctrine that Domestic indus
try should be protected by adequate tariff of duties
on foreign merchandise, by which employment will be
furnished to American industry and permanent pros
perty be secured by preventing the expectation of the
precious metals TO purchase foreign fabrics which
be better and more cheapy manufactured at home
holding the fostering hand of protection till
mineral wealth he fully developed and industry
meet its due reward.
Resoired That Pennsylvania in common with her
sisters of the Confederacy claims have and possess
her just and equal share the public domain acquired
by the blood and treasure of ancestors and that
the present condition Of Finances, as well as the
principles Of Justice require that early distribution
Of the sales of the Public Lands should be made 10
maintain the credit ofthe Commonwealth, and relieve
her citizens from taxation.
Resoired, That this Convention now about TO Sc
parate pledges those whom il represents to jealous
and resoute in the spirit Of the contest Of
1910 from this day forth till the election shall be de-
ciied and mploring the blessings Of Providence on
its labors confidently trusts under Providence the
efficacy OF that harmonious action which has saved
the Nation and will save the State
Hesoired That it be recommended TO the Democra-
tic Harrison party of The several counties Of this Com
monweatb, meet forthwith in their respective coun-
ties and organize by appointing County Committees
and Committees of Vigilance in their respective wards
townships and districts.