The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-16
THE DEMOCRACY.
A Mass Meeting in the Fifteenth Wa

4 large and enthusiastic meeting of citizens
was held under the auspices of the Democratic
Campaign Club of the Fifteenth ward, at Broad
and Coates street, last evening. Colonel Edmund
Randall was chosen Chairman, and the other
officers were appointed as follows:-Vice- Presi-
dents-Charles Hensil, John Lawrence, Samuel
e. Bright, James Van Osten, and John Murray.
Secretaries-BeDjamin Harper, Joseph Bond,
Samuel w. Randall, and Lewis Pigeon. The
first speaker was Colonel Randall. He con-
graduated those present on the improved cond-
ton of the Democratic party, which, he said,
was not only unit in organization but a
unit in principle. He referred to the dis
orderly conventions of the radical party, and
said that the Democratic conventions were
carried on in harmony and with a spirit of
wisdom. The candidates placed before the peo-
pie were gentlemen of integrity and standing in
The community, and in the makeup of the ticket
the soldier had not been forgotten. The party in
the Fourth district saw fit not to make nomi-
nation for Congress, but Judge Kelley, the radi-
cal nominee, was about to meet foeman worthy
OF his steel in the person of William b. Thomas,
who has been identified with the interests of
this city and State for number of years. He is
presented TO the people as fit person to repre-
sent the district in Congress. Colonel Randall
referred to the course of Judge Kelley in Con-
gress, and denounced his actions and measures.
Colonel RandalPs remarks were received with
great applause.
General Thomas said that he was present by
invitation of the young Democracy of the Fiji
teenth ward, and he was glad of the opportu-
nifty to address such class of citizens. He
would wait to see if the Republican party ex-
tended TO him q similar invitation. He claimed
the right to address both parties as he an
independent candidate before the people for
Congress from the Fourth district. He felt
certain that he occupied as high position as
any other citizen in this community, and he
had no doubt that voters considered 1t high
compliment to be asked to vote for man who
has not been nominated by any clique or party.
The speaker referred to the contest in the Sc
cond district, and said that the citizens there
were in a great predcament-they were watt
ing for Covode or Hill to say who they should
vote for. General Thomas denounced such
party feeling, and deplored the present cond-
tion of the free voters in that section of the
city. He only hoped that an Independent
candidate was in the field there, for the sake of
the dgnifed voters. He (the speaker) stood be-
fore the people in an imposing attitude. He
appeared without the endorsement of any nomi-
mating convention, and he occupied an indepen-
dent position, because the party with which he
had labored for thirty-fve years, the party of
principle, and which was above corruption, had
fallen into corruption and the people were
forced to look in another direction. That party
said Mr. Thomas, must be purified. The Repub-
lican papers except the Press, the editor of
which has the party too closely drawn around
his neck, have for long time past been de-
nouncing the leaders of the party-the Legisla-
ture of the State, who are the exponents of the
party. They have denounced that body as
the most corrupt of any in the country.
If the voters of this district or any other
tof the past two years, they must seek redress
by simply acting the part of independent men.
Speaking of Judge Kelley, General Thomas said
that he never did anything for the interests of
his constituents, and he was surprised to find
MIN candidate, as he distinctly said in pub
lished letter that he would not accept the nomi-
tion if he was to be pestered with applicants for
positions, He, General Thomas, was not an
orator, nor a constant lecturer for pay, but
laboring man il his own establishment. AS to
the assertion that Judge Kelley becoming
poor by serving the people, he could not under
stand 1t. When he was judge he received only
$2500 year, but now as Congressman he re-
oeivtd 5000 for only about six months work.
How much he received outside he could not say.
The speaker thought him fit subject for the
care of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
10 Animals. General Thomas spoke for at least
an hour. He denied the assertion that he was
free-trader, and said that he was opposed to
coolie labor. He was also opposed to heavy
taxation and believed in the creation of a sink
ing fund and the payment of the public debt
from year to year, SO that taxation might not be
burdensome.
The marks of General Themas were well re-
ceived.
In few well-timed remarks Samuel w. Ran
dali Esq, closed the meeting