The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-10-01
TIE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
A Large and Harmonious Gathering.


Wednesday. October 1. 1879, and vas
largely attended, all the townships except
one being represented. The best of
feeling prevailed and among all was a
desire to put shoulder to shoulder and
labor for success.
The convention was called to order by
Nj. M. Corbett, chairman of the county
committee and Lewis Wilson of Rural,
elected chairman.
o. Mr.. Wilson. accepted the craftsmanship
in a neat little speech full of Democracy
and vas applauded.
Albert E. Wells, was chosen secretary,
and the convention proceeded to business.
The first in order was committee on
credentials. which was dispensed, with.
however, Mr., Buford stating that, as all
the townships were represented but one,
anu that one by proxey, he moved that all
Democrats in the hall be admitted to the
deliberations of the convention. Carried.
B. D. Buford moved that committee
on resolutions be appointed Carried.
The chairman named B. D. Buford,
Rock Island. s. Heagy, Hampton, and
Robt. Ross, Andalusia. as said committee
While the committee were out. Mr.. q.
Winter, of the VolkS-Zeitung, made q
stirring speech which had the ring OF true
Democracy and was replete with sound
ideas of governmental reform. What we
needed, said the speaker, vas honesty and
economy in public places, and he hoped
and believed that the Democracy would
place such men in nomination. Democ-
raoy was for and of the people, and on the
broad platform of living issues, would
march to victory. Mr. Winter made a
good impression and was loudly pplauded.
The committee not being ready to re-
port Mr.. j. s. Drake was called for and
made a strong speech for Democracy.
He referred briefly to states rights and
the tendency of the Republican party to
Capitalization. and deprecated the efforts
Of the Republican managers to inaugurate
central government His speech was
well received and at its close the speaker
was applauded.
The committee on resolutions being
ready, B. D. Buford, chairman, reported
aud read the following resolutions rs the
sense of the Democracy of Rock Island
county:
We, as Democrats of Rock Island county,
in convention assembled. do reafhrln
the time honored Democratic principle
Der should control all legislation, and we
deprecate the efforts of Republican mana
gers to revive the sectional feuds END pass
sions of the past As democrats We oppose
all favoritism, monopoies, and class legisla-
ton, and do believe that the tendencies OF
the Republican party to Capitalization and
consolidation are contrary to the pTlnol~
pies of Republican institutions.
We re-afirm our belief that the prin>
ciples OF state rights or home rule as I'M
derstood by the democratic party are not
equivalent to notification or secession, and
that the Z. S. is nation. 10 the sense,
to the extent, and for the purposes set
forth 10 the constitution, and that the
proper understanding of the relations OF
state and federal powers is essential to
tue maintenance Of cur dual form of gov
ernment.
We look upon the effort to place the
management of railroads canals, post
roads, bridges. etc.. in the hands of the
federal government as fraught with danger
to the producing classes. in that.it is GEN.
tralizing power in the hands of public
officers which Gan BIO used for dishonest
and partizan purposes. to the end of chang
ing our form of government. Though
franchises come from the people, they
= H. Ava
regulated in the interests of the people.
We are now as ever opposed to pro-
tective tariff and demand such regulations
as will enable the producers of this couns
try to protect themselves against the i'm
poztation of the pa8per labor of other ma
tons.
We believe all property should bear its
just proportion of taxation. We beliege
in the equal protection of labor aud capital.
We believe in prisons for punishment
and reformation of criminals and not for
the injury of honest labor
We believe in municipal self govern
ment in local affairs. We commend the
efforts of our democratic representatives
IN congress in restoring fair and lnteili-
gent jury system. and in protecting the
freedom Of the ballot and preventing the
unconstitutional interference of the federal
administration with state elections.
We most emph atically condemn the
action of the executive in vetoing legisla-
ton designed to prevent the presence of
armed soldiers and the employment Of
paid federal supervisors and marshals at
the polls, and use of public funds for this
purpose. And as the foundation of all
liberty and prosperity. privileges and
rights under our government, we shall
continue to suphold system of untram-
meled suffrage, absolutely free from fed
eral force or supervision.
The resolutions were unanimously
adopted vita applause.
Nominations being is order, Mr.. Geo
Luken moved that James Taylor be the
candidate of the Democracy of Rock ISL
and couoty tor treasurer.
The motion was seconded by Peter
Schlemmer. s. Heagy and several others
and at the suggestion OF b. d. Buford
seconded by number CT delegates. Mr..
Taylor was nominated by ACCLAIM aties.
Mr.. Taylor being called for responded,
aud in a few.remarks, accepted the NOM
nation aud promised to do his best for the
success of the ticket. He was loudly APP
piauded.
After Mr. TayIor's nominations and
Al