Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-10-04
THE CONvEN ION
Democracy in Council.

Democracy In Council.
The convention called to nominate can
didates to the General Assembly OF Ten
nessee was called TO order at the Exposi-
ton building this forenoon by L.. II.
Estes, chairman Democratic Executive
Committee Mr.. Hugh ID. Greer was
chosen temporary chairman, and james
A. Newsom secretary.
A credential committee Of FIVE was ap-
pointed, including George CAN'T j. Z. K.
Ray 9. W. Frazer, Q. Z. Smith and
j. W. Levy.
Three members from the city and two
from the country were appointed a com
mittee on permanent organization, and
Messrs. j. NJ. Harris, s. P. Walker, j. T..
Elliott j. I. Petit and N. G. Perkins
were chosen. They reported for perma-
nent chairman, NJ. Mageveny secretary,
III. 4. Avery sergeant-at-arms, w. O..
Dunn, all Of which were Endorsed by the
convention.
The chairman was escorted to the plat
form by Judge s.. p. Walker and Mr.. j..
M. Harris. Mr.. Mageveny madea short
Adde'S TO the convention in which he
said he regarded this as the most impOr-
tant convention held in years and he
hoped those present would throw aside all
personal prejudices and labor for the
public veal. Many things, he thought,
would be discussed during the next ses-
sion of paramount importance to Shelby
county and to Memphis especially, which
was now struggling TO beat down the
birds of prey which perched upon the
anime &c tho old aitv Ha tuap nnaoonu-
toned to speech making but would en-
in an impartial and expeditions manner,
to which end he sked the corporation of
the convention.
On motion the following Committee on
Credentials was appointed and retired: j.
p. Walker, George CAN'T. G. w. Frazer,
H. lrby. They reported as follows;
The Democracy Of Shelby county, in
convention to select q Legislative ticket,
r. affirm the June platform.
1t declares its hostility to monopolies,
exclusive rights and class legislation; its
opposition TO legislative lobbies that make
market Of themselves to influence the
course Of legislation.
Its opposition to the free pass system,
whereby corporate power indirectly un.
dertake by gift rides to influence legisla-
ton in its favor.
To all interference of corporations at
the ballot box, or in legislation, believing
as we do, that the elective franchise is not
a corporate privilege; and that corpora
tions were not created to participate in
politics, or to take part in enacting laws
for the government Of the people.
The 1908 iniquity, fruit OF the lobby
and the cunning but strong hand of cor
porate power admonishes us that it is time
to take action on this subject.
We believe that corporations are the
creatures of civil government, called into
being for the public good, and have no
right to set up as bosses Of the people.
We are opposed to personal or boss
government, holding that the powers of
the government are a trust for the people
to q exercised to benefit the many, and
not the few.
We denounce as a dangerous abuse the
imposition oftaxes on government officials
by political parties TO be used in perpetu-
ating party power.
We demand the enactment of a law for
bidding determinations in passenger and
freight rates, whereby one locality is BEN
Gifted and another injured, and by which
nefarious practices the great railway cor
porations 'plunder and the people suffer.
We demand the enactment of Il
law, which, by its wholesome provisions
will regulate and prevent the abuses of
the great carrying corporations Of the
country, now INDUCED in by these corpo-
rations to the injury Of the public. We
are in favor of d law creating a Railway
Commission with supervisory powers over
railway corporations for the protection of
the people.
We do not believe that those convicted
of infamous crimes should be taught hon
orable trades, as the tendency is TO bring
these criminal classes in competition with
our artisans and mechanics, or to expose
the latter to contact with them in the pur-
suit ofIheir callings.
We believe that legislation should be
shaped for the better protection of labor
against the e%xactures Of capital, believing,
as we do, that the best condition of a State
is where none are too rich and none too
poor.
We believe in such amendments of the
lien laws as will make them simple, GER
tain, cheap and efioctual IN favor of debts
for labor IND material,
We believe that our free school system
should be fostered and supported as the
sheet anchor Of the State.
We believe in free speech and a free
bal OF.
We have witnessed with regret the
abuses in the collection Of the poll tax,
and demand q law to correct these abuses,
and, ifneed be, forbiddipg earnishments
and distress warrants as processes for col
lection Of this tax.
We invite all 10 uLite with us who are
in accord with these views, or who find
more to approve in them than they do in
the creed Of any other political organism
ton.
Resolved, That this convention instruct
its nominees if elected TO the State Legis.
lature to support a measure TO levy q
special tax on1he Taxing District to pay
the late city employees their wages, which
are due them for 1878, Including iremen,
police and laborers, who stood bravely al
their post, and got no pay for the same.