The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-31

Rufus W. Peckham, which agreed TO- Ed Cooper,
OF New York, and L. Waite, OF Jefferson county, we're
appointed a committee to conduct Mr.. Peckham to tho
chair, who was received with applause.
PEcsHAM's SPEECH
Nr. X. W. PEcKHAM. taking the chair, said
GENTLEMEN or THE CosvKSrIoS-For the distinguished
honor which you have conferred upon me IN ealing ac
preside over your preliminary deliberations VIII eN
lend 10 my most heartfelt thanks. IL augurs well
Tor the democratic party us represented In this state
Convention that you have hit upon gentleman 10
preside your preliminary deliberations who Is so
entirely unfamiliar with parliamentary law as myself
IL shows tins to DO harmonious, deliberative
sembIy brought together for tho purpose OF seeing what
is to be done for the best interests, the
trusst interest Of the democratic party, and,
therefore, the best and truest interests OF the
United States. (Appause) We arc met, gentlemen,
for the purpose oil completing with on organized work
that work which commenced at St Louis on the
nomination Of our Distinguished and eminent fellow
citizen, Samuel j. Tilden(apptause,-and It is for the
purpose OF placing IN nomination persons for the chief
offices OF this great Empire State who, when nomi
mated by this Convention to be elected by tho
pie OF this State, that meet together to-day ZAP
piause) The hrst ana greatest in iacs the only need
OF The people OF this State and the people of tho
United States is for applause, reform
from the President down to every man who
holds special qualified position OF trust
and profit in the United States; not those would
say, not those men who 10 do merely and simply
the ideas OF the democratic party The ideas OF reform
must of necessity be changed or reform cannot DO
accomplished. tAppiaasct Ihe republican party
cannot for moment DO denied, that there is great,
crying. Immediate necessity reform in tho national
councils and they that the party to
complsh it Why, they the party and the only
party VINO have made reform necessary; and how can
they accomplish reform in that which they have them
selves dono? They have made reform necessary,
and II Is upon that theory and that wholly,
that the democratic party propose to place
Srand issue r the crying necessity OF the hour
Why let read from ono Of the resolutions adopted
by this republican party III 1872 upon tins very sub
ject reform AT their Convention held in Philadel
pha in 1872 they resolved that system OF the civil
under which the subordinate positions OF the
government are considered rewards Tor mere party
zeal are fatally demorazing; and therefore favor
reform OF the system by laws which shall abolish the
evils Of patronage and make honesty efficiency and
tdehty the essential qualifications for pubic position,
practically creating a life tenure OF oifce
That their resolution, adopted IN 1872, and from
that until the House OF Representatives met IN
December last they haG full and entire control OF tho
whole national affairs, and entire and complete con-
troll to do just as they pleased in regard to tina
say necessary for the welfare OF tho public SER
vice. Why have they not done 1t? Has single law
upon that subject been introduced into either house OF
Congress by any authorized accredited agent OF
the republican partyf with full power to
complete and fulfil tho promises made IN solemn
convention assembled, they have refused, w,ltuuy,
Intentionally refused to carry out one single promise
contained in that resolution and yet they say they
the party be trusted Tor the purpose OF bringing
about tho reform which they themselves, four years
ago, announced to be necessary and they themselves
Tor the two years succeeding II nau cDtirc power
carry out Does that recommend the party to the
confidence OF tho people in any iormY And why have
they not carried 1t outy Ii is simply and solely be-
the great leaders, the controlling and guiding
lights OF the republican party, wore intent that il
should be carried Senator Morton, OF Indi-
ana would not DO able to tho machine as he de-
s,res II the principles contained in that resolution
from New York, Senator conklins, would
as 1t has been run il i. were car.
RED out Senator Logan, Of Illinois. Senator
Chandler Of Michigan AL those gentlemen who are or
party, were set as ono great phalanx OF the party
against that resolution Yet they Trust US; VIZ
are Tor REFORM" Heaven knows they need 1t. When
you come TO the party act, what do you ind this
party has doneg Why, at this very time in December
last when commerce was langushing trade was para
lyzed and every business man looking into tho
lace Of his neighbor with fear and anxiety as to who
to fall next the heads the chosen chiefs OF the
tves in December their estimates of tho necessary
expenses OF the government for the next
hscal year. One hundred ana seven'y'seven
ernrlent during the year preceding, and those
gentlemen in the face of this acknowledged the
sty for rcor-in the face OF stagnant trade and
alyzed industry, and earnest OF what Ii to DO
their kind of reform presented TO the House OF Repre-
sentatives their budget asking $50
more the expenses during the current year than
expended tor the last year That is their charge
their clathe earnest they give TO the people OF the
country OF their INTENT their earnest Intent to reform
the abuses OF this government.
On the contrary, what do you ind In the democratic
partvI we ma promises, una not only tndt Out an
absolute fulfIment OF the promises lApplauso. The
Secretary War asks Tor nearly 50 900 than
expended the year previous the Secretary OF the
Navy for Dearly 81, OO0 900 additional; the general
civil expenditures were TO DO Increased nearly
So OOO 600 and 1t goes with the others; and vet,
when the democratic House OF Represen ives con-
ironted those gentlemen and with their committees OF
examination and investigation, appointed with view
ofknowing what were the real honest necessities OF tho
government these gentlemen contracted and
until, by practising honesty and economy, there
difference $50 600 900 to 500 600 600 between
what WAS actually necessary for the government and
what the republican officials desired; and what was to
be done with i'll (Appiausc) As say, this democratic
House OF Representatives cut down the appropriations
from the year preceding, ana, instead Of giving
$25 co., 900 more. they have saved $4,000 900 the
people OF the United STATES, and would have saved
$4,000 900 but for the republican Senate. Then
we come TO our own State with $40 COZ
the year before. The people OF thiS State
pay So OO0 900 and that through tho efficient and
turing Industry and lion-ke bravery OF Samuel j. TIL
den. (App!ausel
Thcy say he debt has been reduced That would
only account for 81. 600 900 OF the reduction. How
about the other $600o,ooOS Some how or other thore
see ms be something the air OF democratic ad-
minisiration that brings down the expenses as the
cold brings down the thermometer. And yet they
turn around, as has been claimed by the gentleman
who is running Vice President OF tho United Sntes
the side and say that there united South
sgains. the republican party. whyg tell you, gem
tlemen OF the Convention, that any policy which
brings out the opposition Of every true minded, In
telgent honest white man in the South against 1t
must necessarily DO erroneous. lAppausc)
they sent down to those States their carpet
baggerJ out the substance OIL the people, and
10 this day taxes have been levied to that extent
that they amount almost to coniscaton. When people
feeling themselves ground down IN the dust have
dcavored by honest practices and by honest votes 10
outnumber those men, thor votes havo boon
distracted, their count has been changed
and they have been wrongfulfy beaten and
the power OF the United States army
has been there to consnmmae the srdly out
rage (Applsusc.) The republican party has
toned it, when 1t has thus sanctioned fraud and
robbery there be no question but white mon will
resist II possible. lApplause.) Therefore, when they
speak OF a united South against tho republican party
who mado II united? Whose nuIt is that the South
stand out against that partyY Whose fault Is unless
IL DO the fault OF those gentlemen In power for tho
past sixteen years. They have themselves and them
selves aione accomplished this result The only way
gentlemen, accomplish what
hero do-thc only thing we are to do
is to nominate for tho Office
Of Governor who will add strength, who will give in.
teigcnce and give force the which has