Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-08-12
THE STATE CONVENTION.


THE STATE CONVENTION.
Having returned from Nashville
only in time to give the following brief
summary of the more important results
of the Convention, held this week in
the State capitol, we must reserve
all details and comments for next
week.
Gen. VIM. B. Bate and Gov. Isham
G.. Harris were elected Electors for
the State at large.
Mrs. Napoleon Cromwell, by per-
mission, addressed the Convention ON
Female suffrage.
The following platform was then
read as a majority report, by Col. Jas.
e. Bailey, Chairman of the Committee
on Resolutions
THE PLATFORM.
Hon. Jas. E. Bailey, Chairman of
the Committee on Resolutions and
Platform, made the following report /:
The Democratic party of Tennessee
in convention assembled, relying as
ever upon the intelligence of the peo-
pie, aud their capacity for self govern
ment-and firmly adhering to the fun
damental truth of the constitution,
submit to the sober judgment of the
people the following declaration of its
principles:
l. We do hereby heartily approve
and ratify the action of the National
Convention recently assembled at St.
Louis, in its nominations for Presi-
dent and Vice President of the United
States-and in the declaration of prin-
ciples adopted by it as the platform of
the party.
2. We recognize IN the Hon. Sam'l
j. Tilden, of New York, and the Hon.
Thomas A. Hendricks, of Indiana
the distinguished nominees OF the
party-men of great purity, unques-
toned integrity and unsurpassed abil-
ity as statesmen men who are conse-
Grated to the work of Reform; who
are the defenders of the right, and the
uncompromising enemies of public
plunderers and who in their exalta-
ton to the highest places in the gift of
American freemen will neither forget
that they are still the servants of the
American people, nor betray the trusts
confded to them; and we do hereby,
with cheeeful hearts, accept the assur-
ance which comes of their candidacy,
that in the administration of the gov
eminent we are soon to return to the
purer and better days of the Republic.
3. We deprecate and condemn all
infractions of law made for the protec-
ton of the person, property and pOliti-
cal rights of the citizen, and demand
for the entire people, without regard
to race or color a rigid and impartial
enforcement of the same.
4. We condemn the characterization
of silver and favor the restoration of
the silver dollar to its former legal
tender standard.
5. We are utterly opposed to the
reputation of any. obligation justly
due to the creditors of the State or
National Government.
We declare ourselves aligned with
the National Democracy as to the duty
of the Federal Government to redeem
its pledges and meet all its obligations
as soon as may be consistent with the
business interests of the country, and
in such manner as to avoid forced and
unwise contraction.
In harmony with this enunciation of
sound principles by the National Dem
ocracy, we declare our intention to
meet and pledge ourselves to the pay
ment of all debts and obligations just
" due by the State of Tennessee.
For the present, however, because of
depression in business, shrinkage in
values, the prostration of all indus
tries and mpoverishment of our people
we are unable to endure, and are,
therefore, opposed to any increase of
taxation-andI IN view of this condition
of the State it behooves us as people
to begin at once a thorough system of
the most rigid economy, retrenchment
and reform in all the departments of
the State government.
We favor the abolition of all un-
necessary offices, the proper reduction
of all excessive salaries and all neces-
sary reforms in the law, so as to make
its execution speedy, just and certain.
j. Z. BAILEY, Chairman.
Col. Geo. r. Phelan submitted the
following minority report:
We, the undersigned, have the honor
to submit the following minority re-
port from your Committee on Resolu-
tions and Platform
Strike out the words, I'VE are una
BILE to endure, and are therefore OPP
posed, to an increase of taxation, and
insert the following: Oppose the i'm
position upon the people at this time
of taxes exceeding the amount neces-
sary to carry on the State government
economically administered, and pay
interest on the school fund and bonds
actually held by educational institu-
tiOns throughout the State.
Strike out the third clause of the
fifth section of the majority report and
insert:
"Thatan equitable adjustment ought
to be made of the bonded debt of the
State, alike honorable to the State and
the bondholders, and the details of
this question should be referred to the
next Legislature for consideration"
10. G. STARK,
j. II. JAMIsON,
GEO. r. PHELAN.
After debate of some length, in
which Col. Bailey, spoke for the ma
iority report Mr.. Phelan, of Shelby,