The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-03-24
THE LANCASTER CONVENTION.

| temporary Chairman. Robert f.. Monaghan
of West Chester was elected permanent
Chairman by an unanimous vote, and made
a brief but satisfactory speech on taking the
chair.
The following platform was adopted:
The Democracy Of Pennsylvania, in con-
vention met, reasserts its oft repeated decar-
atons of devotion to all of the provisions Of
ations of devotion to all of the provisions OF
union of the States, pledges itself to rigid
fidelity to public trusts, to a pure and econ
omical administration of the federal, state
and municipal governments, to local self
government in every section, to honest pay
ment of the public debt, and to sound pres.
ervation of the public faith. They see, with
humiliation and alarm, the evidences of bri-
berry, fraud and speculation in high places
the distress that prevails and the vide spread
financial ruin that impends over the peo.
pie of the States, and they charge that these
evils are the direct results of the present
government, the unwise legislation, vicious
financial policy, extravaganza and corrup-
ton of the Republican party and its officials
and inviting all of every shade of political
opinion who believe in official purity and f.
deity, in the adjustment of financial ques.
tons upon a sound basis, having regard fol
the interests of the whole people and not o
a class, in the recognition of the final settle.
ment of all questions submitted to the arbi-
trament of the sword, and in policy which
under the Constitution keeps abreast of the
progress and civilization of the age to unite
with them, they declare:
First That the civil service of the govern
ment has become corrupt and is made the
object of personal gain, and infidelity to pub.
| lip ruo hos hannpna tho rtl, thn
ton. We believe that honesty, capacity and
| fidelity are the only tests of fitness for pub
| lie station, and that the wholesome penalties
of the law should be used with vigor to en-
force official accountability.
| Second. That the recent and repeated ex-
posures of fraud and corruption in the ad-
ministration of public affairs call for n search
ing and thorough investigation of the con-
duct and condition of every branch of the
public service, to the end that all corrupt
practices may be brought to light and that
all who have abused and betrayed their pub
lie trusts, whatever may be their station, may
be exposed and punished; and we urge
those in charge of the subject at Washing
ton to prompt, thorough and exhaustive ex-
animation of their respective fields of labor.
| Third. That retrenchment and economy
are indispensable in federal, state and muni-
| CIpui ttlOh do an tSocHtIul
! toward tightening the burdens of the people
and we commend the efforts of the House of
Representatives for the reduction of the ex-
penditures of the federal government to a
just standard and their determination to les
| sen the number of useless officials.
Fourth, That general amnesty to all per-
| sons implicated in the late rebellion against
| the government of the United States, who
have not already been relieved from disabili-
ties by the action of Congress and by the
President, would be an allowable and proper
exercise of governmental power in the year
of the centennial celebration of American
independence, and that the recommendation
of snch measure by President Grant in a
public message, and its endorsementand pas
sage by Republican House of Representa-.
tives at former session constitute full proof
that such measure is fit, judicious and
timely.
EVth. That the democracy of Pennsyl-
vaDia cordially approve of those provisions
of the State Constitution to wit The eigh-
teenth section of the third article and the
second section of the tenth article which
protect not only school funds but other pub
lie moneys from appropriation to sectarian
uses, and that they fitly illustrate that doctrine
of the separation of church and State which
has always been a cardinal one with the
Democratic party.
Sirth. That the statute for the resump-
tion of specie payments on the 1st day of
January, 1879, is impossible to execute, and
it is deliberate proclamation taat at that
date the United States will 20 into bank
ruptcy. 1t parayzes industry, creates dis
trust of the future, turns the laborer and
producer out of employment, is standing
threat upon the business man and ought to
be forthwith repealed.
Seventh. That gold and silver are the
only true basis for the currency of the re-
public and that congress should take such
steps for the resumption of specie payments
as will most surely and speedily reach that
result without destroying the business inter-
ests of the people.
Eighth. That the present depression of
all our national industries which checks the
wholesome flow of capital through the chan
nels of enterprise and denies to honest labor
decent livelihood is the direct inevitable
fruit of extravaganza and of reckless and
dishonest republican tampering with the
finances of the country, and we denounce
the authors of that legislation as officials
who have unsettled the foundations alike of
the State and of the home. We call upon
the people to aid us to halt them in this fatal
career, and to set their faces in the direction
of practicable measures which shall eventu-
ally enable the treasury of the United States
to keep its plighted faith with rich and poor
alike. We demand legislation through the
power Of the federal government which shall
give us performance for promises, and re-
store solvency to tho nation by restoring
prosperity to the people.
ReSoIued, That in common with the people of
our sister states, we rejoice in the opportunity
to celebrate the centennial of the proclamation
of our emancipation from the government of
the British crown marking us it did the epoch
OF the greatest event in modern history and
teel just pride that lis celebration should be
upon The soil of our own commonwealth and in
the city where independence was declared.
Stanley Woodward of Wilkes Barre pre-
sented resolution pledging the convention
to the support of Hon ]. S. Black for Pres
ident, which was laid on the table.
Messrs. VIM. A. Wallace of Clearfeld,
Hester C!ymer of Berks, A. ii. Dill of Un =
ion and II. NJ. North ofLancaster were cleo
ted delegates at large to the National Dem
ocratic Convention at st. Louis.
Mr.. Wallace nominated Charles r. Buck
alew to head the electoral ticket of Pennsyl-
vania, and moved that he be elected by ac-
clamation which was followed by applause.
Mr.. Buckalew was selected without opposi-
| tion.
Mr.. S, r. Wilson of Beaver was chosen
as the other elector at large. Hon. VIM,
McClelland was elected chairman of the
State Committee, on the third ballot.
Resolutions were passed naming w, l.
Scott, of Erie, for the pational executive com.
mittee, instructing the delegation to vote
as unit on all subjects and thanking the
fiicers.
Adjourned sine die
| Book Table,
ECLECTIC MAGAzINE-The Eclectic fo
| April contains an excellent and timelv nor