The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-06-27
Photographed to the Rock Island Argus
ST. LOUIS.
National Democratic
Convention!
FIRST DAY !
TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION !
Appointment of Committees
RECEPTION OF THE woMAN's
ASSOCIATION /!
Adjournment TO 5 o'clock.

Adjournment TO 5 o'clock.
ST. LOUIS, June 27.-The convention
assembled in the large and beautiful Hall,
St. Louis Chamber of Commerce, decor
ated with garlands of leaves, state coats
of arms, flowers, &c. The weather was
very warm and sultry betokening thunder
storms. The delegates were promptly in
their places but it was 1920 before the
convention was called to order by Hon.
Aug. Schell, chairman of the National
Democratic committee. Meantime mill
tary band. perched in the rear of the
chairman's desk, kept the assembly inter
ested by rendering various lively airs
| Mir. Schell after calling the delegates
to order submitted brief remarks
upon the purposes of this convention, to
nominate candidates whose election shall
change the government and overthrow
corruption. Administrative reform is de-
manded by the American people. Ap,
plause. The corruption now existing in
government must be purified and elimin-
ated, This duty must be confded to
hands not of those who now hold the gov
ernment but to the Democra-
tic party. The thing to be re-
formed can't be reformed by itself,
The people are intelligent and sagacious
they understand their rights and will not
again confde their interests to the Re-
publican party. He referred to the
Democrats as the hard money party from
the beginning; said it was a trick to try tC
saddle upon the Democratic party the
existing policy which is inconsistent will
the hard money principle. All the acts
authorizing paper mouey as legal tender,
and the opinion OF the supreme court sus
tanning its constitutionality-all were done
during Republican administrations. Ill
referred bleefy to the civil results; Tia,
remedy is not rapid contraction or lncreas
ed currency, but the one remdy at this tim,
is the repeal of the resumption act. Ap
; plause Do that and give the Democrati
, party the reins of the government ant
| their policy of economy and sound fnanc
; will bring specie resumption speedily an(
safely. lApplause.
! In this centennial of our national indie
pendence we have met to adopt the mean
to restore the country to its ancient pros
perity. May we not hope, now, after
. years of Republican rule that the Demo
cratic party may resume its rightfU
,
that you will adopt such rules for tn
! government of the convention as will en-
sure good nominations and be exorted t
wisdom in making the platform.
The points of Mr. Schelrs speech wer
emphasized by frequent applause, and {
the conclusion he introduced the Rev. Nj
4 Marvin, who offered prayer,
The chair announced as temporary se
l. a r.
: f. c. Walker, of Iowa, and S. K. Dom
son, OF Ohio, assistant secretaries, an
Dan Able, of Missouri, as sergeant a
arms.
Mr.. Abbott, of Massachusetts,, moved
S resolution adopting the rules of the La
a a national convention until others were o
: dered.
E Mr.. Littleiohn, of New York, enquire
d if this included the two-thirds rule
. Voices, yes If SO, all right. Al
!. plause.
The chair answered; ''It does"
The resolution was adopted.
i Mr. Smalley, of Vermont, moved res
luton to call the states in order for th
presentation of credentials. Adopted.
Mr.. Wallace, of Pennsylvania, in ord
to have Democratic precedents observe
moved that the states should name the
mittees on credentials and pe-mane
organization before any other business WI
done. He hoped there would be no inn
. vation in past precedents.
Z! Mr.. Weed, of New York, insisted tn
the resolution was adopted in accordan
r, with precedent Under it credentials a
Z received only for reference to the crede
ti&l committee.
At thesconclusion Mr.Schell nominate
Henry Watterson, Of Kentucky. for tel
porary chairman. Applause. Unar
mously agreed to.
Hon. VIM. ii. Barnum, of Connecticu
and Ransom, of North Carolina, being a
pointed a committee for the purpose, co
Quoted Mr.. Watterson to the chair.
Mr. Watterson being presented W
received with applause and said:
Il Gentlemen OF the convention. We a
called together to determine by o.
wisdom whether honest government a
ministered by honest men shall be restor
to the American people. or to decide
our folly that it is the destiny of tt
country to pursue an endless, ever evol
ing circle OF partisan passion and corru
ton until, with the loss of our mater
well being, we lose the poor mans Ia
hope-civil liberty itself. Every citizen
this Republic, be he of the one party
of the other other. feels and has felt I
at many day the depressing influence
what are called, hard times" We lo
or about US and we see neglected fields a
vacant houses; the factory is closed; t
- furnace door is shut, and there are my
ads of idle hands The happy activity
prosperous life is nowhere to be foun
,R loyalists fatten whilst honest men star,
What has wrought so great change
land that under the rule Of an inte
N: gent, progressive, constitutional party b
nc na advanced within half century from t
IRE condition of few squald provincial SOW
RS eighties to foremost place among the I
tions ofthe earth? The reason of men MI
. answer Partisan misrule and section
= misdirection." The Republicans, l
friends, are not alone responsible. vi
them rest the disgrace; with us the
:. lies-the twin agents OF national m
> chance, have kept the people OF I
north and south asunder and have suppl
L Al Inxy 4