St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-06-11
FOURTH DAY.
SATURDAY, June 5,

FOURTH DAY.
SATURDAY, June 5.
The early part of the session of Sat-
urday was devoted to the consideration
of the balance of the contested seats.
In the settlement of all the cases the
same general principle was recognized,
namely, the right of Congressional dis
tricts to choose their own delegates,
thus establishing that theory as pre-
cedent and law for succeeding con-
ventiOns.
The convention next proceeded to
the consideration of the reports of the
Committee Oh Rules. The majority
report, presented by the anti-Grant
men, declared against the unit theory,
and in the most positive terms estab-
lished the right of individual delegates
to vote as they may choose upon all
questions. The minority report sus-
tanned the unit rule, and held that the
instructions of state conventions are
binding upon entire delegations. Pend
ing the consideration of these reports,
Gen. Sharpe of New York, a Grant
man, offered an amendment to the eff
feet that the convention proceed to bal
lot for candidate for President. The
to defeat the majority report, sustain
ing the rights OF delegates to express
their individual preferences by their
votes, and by vote of 276 yeas to 479
nays the Sharpe proposition was defeat
ed. The majority report rejecting the
unit rule, was then amended so as to
instruct the National Committee to pre-
scribe the method of choosing delegates
h. No Of 1904
within one year, and to recognize the
right of Congressional districts to choose
their own delegates, and adopted with
out division.
The committee on Platform then
made its report as follows:
THE RESOLUTIONS.
The republican party in national convention as.
sembed at the end of 20 years since the federal
government was first committed to its charge, sub
mits to the people of the United States this brief
report OF its administration: 1t suppressed the
beOn which had armed nearly million of men
to subvert the national authority applause tire
eonstEnGted the g'is, laPplause; it
the likeness of things to the rank of citizens zap
plause) it relieved Congress from the infamous
work of hunting fugitive slaves and charged it to
see that slavery does not exist it has raised the
value of our paper currency from 80 per cent to the
par of gold (cheers) it has restored upon solid
basis payment in coin for all the national obi
cations, and has given us currency absolutely
good and equal in every part of our extended
country it has lifted the credit of the nation from
the point where per cent bonds sold at &C. to that
where per cent bonds are eagerly sought at pre-
MUM under its administration railways have in
creased from 81, 900 miles in 1860 to more than
$4,000 in 1872 our foreign trade has increased from
1000 600 to s. $50, 1000 in the time and
imports in 1850 were 1894 900 900 more than on
imports in 1879 (applausel; without resorting tC
loans it has since the war closed betrayed the ordi
nary expenses of the government, besides the &C
cruing interest on the public debt and disbursei
annually more than $50 900 900 for soldiers pen
siOns; it has paid sses 600, 900 of the public debt
and by refunding the balance at lower rates has
duced the annual interest from nearly $780, 900 DOC
to less than $50 900 OOO all the industries of tn
have increased and throughout the entire cOuntr
there is evidence of a coming prosperity create
than we have ever enjoyed. Upon this record til
republican party asks for the continued confidenc
and support of the people, and this conventio
submits for their approval the following statemen
of the principles and purposes which will continu
to guide and inspire its efforts:
First We affirm that the work of the last
years has been such as to commend itself to til
favor of the nation and that the fruits of the cost
victories which we have achieved through in
mense difficulties should be preserved; that til
peace regained should be cherished; that the di
severed union now happily restored should be pc
petuated, and that the liberties secured to thi
generation should be transmitted undminished
future generations that the order established an
the credit acquired should never be impaired tn:
the pensions promised should be extinguished b
the payment of every dollar thereof, that the n
viving Industries should be further promoted an
that the commerce already so great should b
steadily encouraged.
Second The constitution of the United States
supreme law, and not mere contract. Out of ii
cOnfederated states 1t made sovereign nation
Some powers are denied to the nation while Other
are denied to the states, but the boundary betwee
the powers delegated and those reserved is to
determined by the national and not by the stat
tribunals. (Appause.)
Third, The work of popular education is one lei
to the of the several states but it is the dut
of the national government to aid that work to til
extent Of its constitutional duty. The inteligenc
of the nation is but the aggregate of theintegenC
in the several states, and the destiny of the nato
must be guided, not by the genius of any on
state but by the average genius of all.
Fourth, The constitution wisely forbids Conpres
TO make any law respecting an establishment of n
gion, but it is idle to hope that the nation can
protected against the influence of sectarianisT
while each state is exposed to its domination. W
therefore recommend that the constitution be 8
amended as to lay the same prohibition upon tn
Legislature of each state, and to forbid the appr
priation OF public funds for the support of sectara
schools. (Cheers.)
Fifth, We affirm the belief avowed in 1876 tn,
the duties levied for the purpose of revenue shout
SO discriminate as to favor American labor (al
main sbonId he Wada IN nn grant OF tne P4bhc
pOrauOni that slavery having persisted in IL
states It's twin barbarity Polygamy, must die i
protection accorded to citizens of American Dirt
must be secured to citizens of American adoption
and that we esteem it the duty of Congress to d.
velop and improve our watercourses and harbor
but insist that further subsidies to private perso1
or corporations must cease; that the obligations
the republic to the men who preserved its integrit
IN the hour of battle undiminished by the Ian,
OF ID years since their final victory and to do the
perpetual honor is and shall forever be the gratet,
privilege and sacred duty of the American peopI
Sixth, The authority tOregulate immigration ar
intercourse between the United States and foreip
nations rests with Congress or with the Unit
States in its treaty making power. The republics
party regarding the unrestricted immigration
the Chinese as an evil of great magnitude invol
the exercise of those powers to restrain and linn
that immigration by the enactment of such ius
humane and reasonable provisions as will produ
that result.
Seventh, That the purity and patriotism whi,
characterized the earlier career of Rutherford
Hayes in peace and war and which guided II
thoughts of our immediate predecessors to him Il
presidential candidate, have continued to inspi
him in his career chief executive and that hi
tory will accord to his administration the homo
which are due to an efficient Just and courteo,
discharge OF the public business and will honor h
interpretations between the people and pronos,
partisan laws. (Cheers) rF'
Elghth, We charge upon the democratic mar
the habltual sacrifice of patriotism and Justice IN
supreme and Unsuitable lust of office and patro
age; That to obtain possession of the national ar
state governments, and the control of place and n
slOn, they have obstructed all effort to promo
the purity and to conserve the freedom of the Al
frage and have devised fraudulent certifcatio
and returns, have labored TO unseat lawfully ele,
ed members of Congress-, secure at all hazards Il
vote of majority of the states in the House
Representatives, have endeavored to occupy
force and fraud the places of trust given to othe
by the people of Maine and rescued by the coura
In action OF Names patriotic sons have by met