Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-07-23
DEMOCRATIC STATE CON YEN
TION.

ment of the Chairman, Hon. Milton
r. Speer, the members Of the State
Democratic Convention assembled al
the Grand Opera House in the city Of
Harrisburg, on Wednesday, July 16,
1879.
After the roll was called, and a
quorum of the delegates found to be
present, on motion of Chairman Speer,
Hon. Robert e. James, Of Northamp-
ton county, was elected temporary
Chairman, together with number Of
temporary Secretaries.
After some skirmishing, commenced
by some malcontents. and such legit-
mate preliminary proceedings usual
on such occasions, the Committee on
organization reported the name OF
Hon. Alexander II. Coffroth, of Som
erset, as permanent Chairman, with a
long string of names for Vice Presl-
dents and Secretaries, oil OF whom
wore alacted tn their rasraatiua rosi.
tions. Congressman Coffroth is the
gentleman who "wholloped" a Camp.
bell Congressman in the Bedford Cam.
bria district last FalD.
Soon after the permanent organiza.
tion was affected, Hon. Lewis G. Gas.
sidy, Of Philadelphia, Chairman of the
Committee, reported the following
resolutions, viz;
First. That we, the Democratic party Of Penn.
avlvauta in nouvantfap nhlah
VOWS Of fidelity to tho fundamental principles
proclaimed and practiced by the illustrious men
who settled our institutions and founded the Dem
ocratic party to protect them.
Second. That the just powers Of the Federal
Union, the rights Of the States and the liberties
Of the people, are vital parts Of one harmonious
system and to save each part in its whole con
stitutional yigor is to "save the life Of the ma
tion."
Third. That the Democratic party maintains,
as 1t ever has maintained, that the military are,
and ought to be, in all things subordinate to the
civil authorities 1t denies, as 1t ever has denied,
the right Of the Federal administration to keep
on foot at the general expense a standing army
to invade the States for political purposes with
out regard to Constitutional restrictions, to con-
troll the people at the polls, to protect and en-
courage fraudulent counts Of the votes, or to in
augurate candidates rejected by the majority.
| AVUths Ahbt tho likut W iloo utiiOt IL tue
right prcservative Of all rights, the only means
Of peacefully redressing grievances and reform
ing abuses. The presence at the polls Of regu-
lar military force and Of q host Of hireling OFF,
cials, claiming the power to arrest and imprison
citizens without warrant or hearing, destroys all
freedom Of elections and upturns the very found
alton Of self government. We call upon all good
citizens to aid US in preserving our institutions
from destruction by these imperial methods Of
supervising the right Of suffrage and coercing the
popular will In ke,ping the way to the ballot
box open and free, as Il was to our fathers; 10
removing the army to safe distance when the
people assemble to express their sovereign pleas
ure at the polls, and In securing obedience to
| their will when legally expressed by their votes.
Fifth. That Rutherford B. Hayes having been
placed In power against the well-hnown and
legally expressed will Of the people, Ia the repre-
sentative Of a conspiracy only, and his claim Of
right to surround the ballot boxes with troops
and Deputy Marshals to intmidate and obstruct
the electors. and his unprecedented use Of the
veto TO maintain this uneonstitutiona, and dcs-
potic power, are an insult and a menace 10 the
country.
Sixth. That the Democratic party, as Of old,
favors q constitutional currency Of gold and sill
yer, and Of paper convertible into coin.
Seventh. That We are opposed to the system Of
subsidies by the general government under which.
during the period Of Republican sscendaney, Pc
litica rings and corporations prohted at the pso-
pies expense, and to any appropriation Of the
public moneys or the public credit or any object
but the public service. The reforms and econo-
mics enforced by the Democratic party since its
advent to power In the Lower House Of Congress
have saved to the people many millions Of dol
lars and we believe that . like result would fol-
low its restorstios 10 power In the State Of enn-
sylvania.
Eighth. That the Democratic party being the
natural friend Of the workingnan and having
Throughout i,s history stood between him and OPP
preston renews its expression Of sympathy for
labor and its promise Of protection to liz rights
Ninth. That we look with alarm and appre-
hension upon the pretensions Of the great trans-
portation companies to be above the fundamsn-
tai law Of this Commonwealth which governs ali
else within our borders and until they accept the
Constitution Of 1878 In good faith they should re-
main objects Of the utmost vigilance and jeal-
ousy by both Legislature and people.
Tenth. That the recent attempt under the per
sonal direction Of ruling Republican leaders To
debauch the Legislature by Wholesale bribery an a
corruption and take from the Commonwealth four
millions Of dollars for which Its liability had
never been ascertainod, is a fresh and alarming
evidence Of the aggressiveness Of corporate power
In eollusion with political rings, and should 70
ceive the slgual condemnation Of the people at
the polls.
Eleventh. That the present condition Of the
State Treasury, q bankrupt general fund, and
even schools and charities unable to get the
money long since appropriated to their support,
10 . sufficient illustration Of the reckless hnan-
cial nismanagcment Of the Republican party.
The report of the Committee was
therefore unanimously adopted.
The Convention then proceeded TO
tho nomination Of a candidate for State
Treasurer.
Hon. ]. /. Steele nominated Hon.
Daniel o. Barr, Of Pittsburgh.
The nominations closed with the
names of d. @. Dlssinger, OF Northum.
berland, and John W. Mish, of Leb.
anon. .s.
Hon. Robert Il. James, of N Northamp.
ton, withdrew the name Of Col. d. G.
Dissinger, ex.TreAsurer of Nort6um.
berland, who had been warmly pressed
by his friends for the nomination. Mr..
James said substantially; "By his own
request, for the sake Of harmony and
unanimity, l now withdraw The name
Of Col. Dissinkor. Az one Of tho most
active, and efficient and untiring work.
ers In the ranks Of the Democracy Of
Central Pennsylvania, bic name has
been presented byhisnumerous friends,