The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-08-05
LABOR REFORM In OHIO.
Proceedings Of the State Convention.
THE PLATFORM, ETC.
CoLUMRra Jnlv 06 1871

H
The first Convention of the State La.
Dor Reform Party Of Ohio met to day al
the City Hall, in this city, pursuant to .
call issued by Mr.. E. NJ. Davis, Chairman
Of the State Executive Committee. The
attendance was not as large as was antici--
pated, but the business done was great in
quantity. and will no doubt be great in its
results
The Convention was called to order by
Z. Nj. Davis, at 10 o'clock AM, who
briefly stated its object to be to perfect such
arrangements as would result in the orga-
nlzation of the Labor Reform Party in
every portion Of Ohio. Rev. HI. o. Shell
don was, on motion, appointed temporary
President, and W. G. Bradley Temporary
Secretary. Messrs. E. M. Davis, G. H.
Phieger and VIM. 4. Adams were appoint
ed Committee on Credentials A commit
tee on Permanent Organization was also
appointed, consisting Of Messrs. Louis
Keechler, z. J. Manley and A. c. Hess
A recess was then taken until l o'clock,
to give the Committee time to report.
AT IL o'clock the Convention was again
called to order. The Committee on Gre
dentials made report substituting the
names Of the following gentlemen as enti-
tied to seats in the Convention
First District.-F. A. Hall, John
! Houghton, VIM. E. Adams
Second DiStrict.-E. NJ. Davis, Louis
Keechler, 7. j. White.
Third District.-M. ]. Whooley, VIM.
Kell, NJ. OLeary.
Seventh DtStrict.-Chas. II. PHieger,
p. ]. Manley, Alex. U. Hess.
Eighth District Ralph Smith
Ninth DiStrict-Jno. III. Hudson, M.
@. Clarkson.
Tenth District-Fred Blend
Fourteenth DiStrict.-H. o. Sheldon,
d. Leonard, j. Bowen.
Eighteenth DiStrict-C. Patterson,
Jno Harris.
The Committee on Permanent Organiza-
ton reported the names Of Rev. H. o. Shell
don as permanent Chairman, and VIM. c.
Bradley, Secretary.
CHAIRMAN's ADDRESS.
On assuming the duties Of chairman,
Mr.. Sheldon spoke as follows:
"GENTLEMEN Il thank you for the
honor conferred by calling me to preside
in this Convention. The evils that exist,
and the danger that threatens, are Of the
grave eAH.~otn- Tor wapt of a sufficient
cheap, upfuctuating currency, -.~-y 10
partment Of industry languages. Our
system Of currency demands reform. The
servants of the people coin Money IN shape
Of promises TO pay. deliver them almost
without charge to a privileged class, who
contract or expand their issues to secure
the greatest gain, charging a rate Of inter
est several times the growth Of the country,
in consequence of which bankruptcy is en-
gendered which periodically paralizes bust
ness and swallows millions before an equi-
ibrium is restored. Witness the crises
in II, '27, '37, al, 81 and 81, from
which we are not fully recovered. While
millions Of acres Of the public domain are
squandered upon favorites and sharpers.
and the honest settlers driven back or
compelled to pay two to four prices, or to
increase the value Of other lands at bis
own sacrifice. To day thousands Of men
are out Of employ, while thousands Of wo-
meu are employed at starvation prices, or
compelled to sell virtue to prolong life. Ii
the meantime we are heavily taxed upon
tea, coffee, salt, and almost every thing we
eat or wear; often discriminating against
the poor, as the millionaire was permitted
to import the rich tapestry that adorns bis
parlor at 35 cents-while the poor widow
was compelled to pay las per cent. for the
coarse blanket hat covers her shivering
children. Reform IS loudly called for.
Your wisdom will see the propriety of
striking at the greatest sources of evil,
while we may safely leave minor abuses to
retire under the increasing light Of reform.
Allow me, gentlemen, 10 say, 50 far as |
Judge of my own motives, patriotism, and
a deep conviction of the truth of your
principles, and the increasing dangers to
our country, have called me out from my
retirement to try and do something 10 trans
NIT to my posterity prosperous and hap
py republic.
| trust your deliberations will be char
acterized by harmony, moderation. wisdom,
decision, firmness and patriotism"
On motion committee on Platform and
Resolutions was appointed, consisting of
Messrs f. NJ. Davis, Cincinnati, Ralph
Smith, Delaware, P. j. Manley, Columbus,
H. 0. Sheldon, Oberlin, L. Keecher, Gin
cnnati.
The chairman introduced to the Conven
ton Messrs. Horace IL. Day, of New York,
and A. G. Cameron, Of the Workingman's 5
AdUocote. Both Of the gentlemen made
appropriate remarks.
Mr.. Davis moved that committee Of
three be appointed to draft plan Of organl-
zation for the State. Mr.. Sheldon stated
that be had been appointed for the purpose
Of organizing the State; that be had not
yet elected his cabinet, and that be expect
ed soon to have such measures perfected as
would result in the organization Of the
State.
Mr.. Davis motion then prevailed, and
Messrs. Pfieger, Smith and Davis we're
appointed as the committee.
Mr.. Keechler made few remarks in ia
vor Of nominating full State ticket, if it
only receNeu ono Note III IEe Otdle OI
Ohio. He had run himself for az Office in
, Cincinnati last year, received only 2O8
votes, and was aliveyet. He thought that
ticket should be nominated, and that a
committee on nomination should be ap-
pointed Mr. Manley endorsed the ideas
of Mr.. Keechler, and thought such ticket
would receive a respectable number Of
votes In days gone by labor candidates
had been run in Columbus, and had re-
ceived a respectable vote, and it was pure
and honest vote.
! On motion committee was appointed
, consisting of Messrs. Keechler, Cincinnati
Manley, Columbus, Smith, Delaware, anC
! Sheldon, Oberlin.
IT, C.: H. l:,,o1 - v,oo