The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-09-18
MASSACHUSETTS, DEMocRATIc STATE
CONVENTION
Further particulars OF Buffers attsmpt to
capture the Convention.

WORCESTER, Sept. 17.-Hon. r. j
Spofford having been elected permanent
chairman assembled the platform and ad-
dressed the convention.
In his speech, Spofford alluded to the
Iaboring classes and denounced the bond
holding and railway monopolies. He was
heartily applauded At the conclusion OF
Spoford's speech, Jno L. Rice, of Spring.
field, nominated Gen. Benz. f. Butler for
Governor, auid cheers and great excite
ment. the delegates all rising, Cook OF
Boston, seconded the nomination. AT this
point. amid the most intense excitement
John G. Salvan took the floor, and de-
nounced the action of the committee, be-
ing repeatedly interrupted by Kisses,
groans, and cries of Put him out" The
speaker asked how in the name of God
any Democrat could nominate Butler as
the Democratic nominee. For fifteen
years he had opposed every Democratic
principle When the speaker said it was
proposed to put him in the field as Presi-
Dental candidate there were cries OF yes,
yes" Then groans were given for the
speaker. At the conclusion or his speech a
committee on resolutions was appointed,
consisting Of delegate from each Con
gressional district. The following State
State Ticket was nominated: Lieutenant
| Governor, John j. Arnold, Secretary OF
State, Chas. W. Strauss; Attorney Gen
eral, Caleb Gushing; Auditor,J. Boyle o.
Reilly; Treasurer, ID. N. Skilings, Win.
chester. Cook said it would take some
time for the Committee on resolutions tC
suit the convention, and moved a recesa
which was taken till 2 p. N,
| Buffers nomination was enihuslasticai-
~ received,
1 The platform reafirms the principles OF
Democracy; condemns and promises to re-
foru the State government extravagance.
With exceeding shame and sorrow we have
seen President elected by the votes OF 6
mai rity of the people at an election had
in accordance with provision of constitu-
| ~ set aside and the people deprived o.
his services in that high Office by series
of the most astounding forgerles and per
! juries, the possibility of successful exis
tence Of which weakeas the very fnunda
ton of the republic.
Our grief has not lessened because thi
monstrous wrong was done by the aid o
an unconstitutional commission which
found it necessary by q party majority t
refuse to receive evidence of potent fraud
lin the electoral votes in order to consum
mate the act They therefore unhesitat
/ in2ly declare that no man ought to
: permitted to hold Office who is tainted wit
q fraud and corruption, and if it can be don
I without rebuks by the people, then indee
we fear for the perpetuity of republican il
stitutions. Protests against the longs
continuance of one party in power OF th
b patton, aud especially in this common
l. wealth, as tending to corruption, aHordiu
J. opportunity and temptation in mal-admiI
= stration and peculation. and multipiic
il lion of the salaries of offices, many of theI
unknown to the constitution.
The platform reproduces that part
the declaration of principles made by IL
,r democratic party in 1875, deprecates legi
= ton which yearly tends to obstruct trt
l suffrage by laboriDg men. Democrat
~ holds the ballot as the inalieDable right
every free citizen, and all leglsiatlt
should tend to give them this right, an
/ all contrary acts are unconstitutional an
n- void, and should be repudiated by the co
,eI vention. The prima facie right, and
le should have the right, to have his nan
ID registered whenever the laws require re
istration; that no law ought to be passt
requiring citizen earning his daily bres
by his daily toll to spend his time in pro
er ing his right to vote before any tribnn
he whatever; on the contrary whosoever
nies that right should be held to NAL
good that denial.
Resolred, That we call upon all citize
ed of whatever political views to unite wi
IL the democracy in the election of legisl
ture aud executive officers who will fait
fully carry out those great measures of
Ms much needed reform. In so doing we
Is not hold them pledged to any further {
Ell operation with the party or bound to
Of save as they recognize in all things {
is. Justice and wisdom of their principles.
ngl The resolutions we're adopted una
ok mously. -
nd Adjourned
ur Mechanics Hall, where the convent
Il el1 ri k~x I