New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-17
A DAY OF POLITICS.


liean party upheld and protected an irresponsi-
pie minority IN the usnrpatiOn of our State
Government, and permitted 1t to waste the
substance of our unrepresented and impOver-
lshed people by burdensOme taxation, and the
issue and sale, at an enormous discount, of mil
hons OF bonds the proceeds of which, in great
part, were converted to the private use OF its
party faVOTites, and when the control of the
State Government was recovered by our people
they were threatened with military govern
ment II they presumed to question the validity
OF the bonds so issued. We undertook TO pro-
vide Tor those bonds as a part of our public
debt. AS Democrats we point with pride TO
the fact that since the accession of our party
TO power 1T has not created a dollar of debt,
but has paid millions upon the existing debts.
1T has steadily reduced the expenses of the adj
mlnistratlOn of the State Government 1t has
attempted to meet all the obligations of the
State, just and unjust. BY reason of circum-
stances over which we have had no control
we are no longer able now to meet the require
mentS OF our creditors The cost OF all our
productions exceeds their market value. Our
mechanics and labOring people are without re-
muneratlVe employment; our merchants are
making no gains; none are prosperous,
save corporations, interest takers, and money
lenders. We recognize among ourselves wide
difference of opinion as to the time, mode, and
measure OF the payment OF our public Obiga-
tons; but for the present these differences OF
opinion afford no jdst occasion for disturbing
that unity which Is so essential to the com
plete success OF our party in its great struggle
for the liberation of the country. We cordially
unite, however, IN declaring that we are OPP
posed to the reputation of the just
Indebtedness of the State; that we
are in favor of an equitable adj
justment of our public Indebtedness. But
to the end that this question may be pat out
of tho politics of the State, we declare that
we are for the submission to Che people, for
their ratification or rejection at the ballot
box, at a separate election, of any adjustment
of the State debt which may be made by the
Legislature and until such adjustment shall
have been made and ratified by the people,
we declare that we are opposed to the levy OF
any greater tax upon the people than may be
necessary for the payment of the expenses of
the State Government, economically admins
tered
We demand the adoption of a constitutional
provision prohibiting the State forever from
borrowing money and issuing bonds, except
such as may be issued in compromise Of the
present debt.
We demand the reduction of fees of officials
in conformity to the general shrinkage of
value and stringency of the times, and the
adoption of a maximum standard, all fees IN
excess to go into county treasures for the use
of schools.
We further demand the passage of lien
law which shall be just alike to the labOrer,
in the payment of his wages, to the mechanic
and the owner.
ResoiUed further, That this convention in
dorses the wisdom and patriotism of the adj
mlnistratiOn of Governor James ID. Porter.