Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-05-25
ANTI-MAcHINE.
Organization and Proceedings Of
the Independent Convention.
Seuaior Mitchell Temporary Chairman :
Striking the Key-Note-The 0rganiza-
tion-Senator Stewart for Gov
q ernor-Rest of the Ticket.
THE PROCEEDINGS AND PLATFORM.

MltcNeu, was CHOSEN temporary cnairmhn.
On fixing his seat, he said the object of
the conyention was not to aid the Demo-
cratic or defeat the Republican party, but
to present a ticket which should embody
the living principles which underlay free
government. 1t was to protest against
bossism, and machinism, and provide
way for eradicating them root and branch.
I He assigned the administration as recreant
/ to It's trust, and said that all that had been
gained by Garfeld's election had been lost
by Arthur's succession, and concluded by
saying that the time had passed when the
Republican party could be run like a rail-
road train, by engineers, and closed amid
loud applause.
The roll of delegates was then called, the
names of Wolfe and DR., Doane being greet
ed with cheers.
81. L. Foster was then elected chairman,
with vice president from each Senatorial
district. Fosters speech in accepting the
chair was bitterly sarcastic; and in the
course of his remarks he asserted that Gar.
fields death was directly chargeable to the
spoils system, which had vitiated public
morals and made office the price Of trucu-
lent sycophancy. In referring to the po-
litical power of the State he said that it
had long been regarded as sort of per-
sonal patrimony, to be handed down from
father TO son, regardless OF the wishes OF
interests of the people. e.
The convention then took recess for an
hour, at the expiration of which time, it
promptly re.assemblcd, and the Committee
on Resolution reported the following as
The Platform.
The Republicans of Pennsylvania, who
will not surrender their political rights,and
who maintain and exercise their own con-
science and judgment concerning public
affairs, having assembled in State conven-
ton, make the following declaration OF
principles and purposes:
/. We declare our attachment to the
principles OF the Republican party, free.
dom, union, nationality, equal rights be-
| fore the law, the maintenance Of public
| faith, and protection to home industry, and
we demand the record which has been so
| noby made shall be wisely and fearlessly
perpetuated.
.. We declare the nomination and elec-
! ton of Jas. A. Garfield to the Presidency
signified to us the triumph of true reform
| in the civil service, and enlarged liberty of
action for the masses of the Republican
party in the nomination Of candidates and
| the conduct OF their party affairs, and we
deplore the overwhelming evidence pre-
| sented to us in Pennsylvania, that the
calamity of his assassination has been fol-
| lowed by the overthrow of these reforms i'll
| the hands of his successor.
3. We denounce the system which makes
| patronage" and "SpoilS" ont OF public
| offices; we denounce the practice OF giving
| them to political managers for use
in advancing persona! and political
ends;J we denOunce the removal
of faithful and competent officers
| in the absence of public reason; we
| denOunce the practice OF leyying assess
ments and demanding contributions for
party use from public officers: we denounce
severally and collectively, the evils and
corruption which accompany the conduct
of the government "spoilS SYSTEM and
which are inseparable from such methods
| of administration, and we denOunce the
system of boss rule" and machine" con-
/ troll which, when tamely endured, makes
| the leaders autocrats, and reduces the
masses of the people into political bondage.
L. We declare our purpose to take up
! the work which fell when Garfield fell; We
demand, in place of the 'spoils system,
the reformation of the civil service by law,
| so that appontive places therein may be
freely open to all fit and industrious citi-
| Zens, and removals therefrom shall be only
| for good and sufficient public cause; we de-
| mand that instead of prostitution of the
public services to private uses, its recogni-
! ton as high and honorable trust to be adj
ministered for the peoples benefit with
efficiency, economy and integrity; we de-
mand, instead Of the irsoience:
the prescription and tyranny of
| 'bossisn" and machine rule,
the free and conscientious exercise OF
private Judgment in political affairs, aud
| the faithful discharge by those who assume
representative trusts, OF the expressed Will
of the people. r
| party reforms:
That the delegates to State conventions
be chosen by the people in the manner
which candidates for the General Assembly
| are nominated.
That representation in State conventions
be by counties and appor;ioned according
to their Republican vote.
| That State conventions shall not be held
| without at least sixty days notice, nor
earlier than the second Wednesday OF July,
except in Presidential years.
That Republicans who, voted for the
| Republican candidate for President at
| the IreSluenlldl GltCilOu plCISSNAAiSt
| shall be entitled TO join in the choice OF
delegates to State and National conventions.
The platform having been adopted, nomi-
nations for Governor were declared in
order, and Major Merrick rose and said that
whi,a hc wanted a place in the coming
| fight, he did not on the ticket, and then
nominated Ex.Chief Justice Agnew.
DR.. Doane nominated Senator John
Stewart. The name OF Hon. Wayne Mac
| hut r-ifhlraWn after
several delegates declared that he would
not accept. Nominations declared closed,
and the convention took a recess for an
hour.
| Upon reassembling the name OF Judge
Agnew was withdrawn and Senator Stewart
was nominated by acclamation.
The following nominations were then
| made: Lieutenant GovernOr-Levi Bird
Duff, of Allegheny. Secretary OF Internal
Afairs-Major Merrick, of Tioga Con;
gresham at Large-Wm. McMichaelr OF
Philadelphia. Judge Supreme Court
| Geo. Junkin.
Senator Stewart. the nominee for Gov
ernor, being called out responded in a
brief address, accepting the nomination
He claimed that the movement was one IN
! behalf of honest government. 1t was not
| rebellion, but revolution, such as had re-
Gently taken place in Philadelphia. He
insisted that instead of imperiling the life
of the party. it would purify it, and con,
cluded: Speaking for myself, | would
say, if that noble party must die, l had
rather see her last hours made glorious oy
a struggle to redeem her, than see her ex-
pire On a race for spoils. Irepeat, accept
your nomination and return my thanks Tor
the honor"
A resolution, calling upon the Lesisls-
ture to submit to a popular vote, the pro-
posed amendment to the State Constitution.
prohibiting the manufacture and sale oil
intoxicating liquor within the common
wealth. was adopted by large majority.
A Finance Committee was appointed,
with Chas. Wheeler, of Philadelphia, chair
| man.
resolution directing the State Commit.
tee to prepare a rule, that will give effect
to the resolution in the platform giving
representation according 70 the Republican
vote, and that the rule be operative at the
next Convention, was adopted.
A motion enjoining the State Committee
TO fill any vacancies that may occur on the
ticket was adopted, together with one con-
stitution. Mckee, chairman, and Leech,
Secretary of the new State Committee.