The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-05-25
OPPOSED TO "B0SSISM."
THE PENNSYLVANIA INDEPENDENTS

|
Nomiaated-Caustic Speeches Agalast tho
"Spoils" System-Garneld EulOglzed aud
Arthur Censured-purity Demanded.
PHILADELPHIA, May 24.--Tle excitement
in the city, especially at tho leading hotels,
was intense prior 10 tho hour named for
the assembling OF tho State Convention OF
the Independent Republicans. When the
convention was called TO order, llorti'
cultural haii was crowded with delegates,
and prominent purity leaders md spccta-
tors. Hon. George Lear, who presided mt
the Regular Republican convention, was II
conspicuous character oil tho platform,
when the proceedings were opened With
prayer, by tho Rev. Mr.. Babcock, the noted
prohibitionist and secretary oithc pennsyl-
vania State Temperance association.
United States Senator Mitchell was clio.
sen temporary chairman by acclamation
amidst cheers. Mr.. Mitchell said that
tho work OF tho convention was not 10 nom-
mate " ticket that would help the Demo-
cratic party, or defeat the Republican party,
hut TO nominate one that would receive the
respect and support OF tho Republican
party. This country has been founded
upon principles which secured equal rights
to all men, and on the spot where these
principles were declared tho Republican
party was founded, and he trusted the Ut
mosphcre OF this Stnte would be found too
pure to be breathed by any Republican
willing to be slave, political or other
wise, OF any man. There must, in
the order Of things, be leaders, but not
bosses. It would bc well for
the convention to declare against this sys.
TEN and against "bossisln" and "machinc-
ism," and not only TO declare against them,
but to provide Il remedy that will tear
them up root and branch. The only effect
i've remedy will be found in the Civil Ser.
vice system. Thespeaker would be glad to
be able to stand before the convention and
declare that the President WAS disposed to
enforce this system, but he va! Sorry to say
there was yet no indication OF such deter
mination OH tho Presidents part. With
the power OF appointment to places OF
minor importance taken out OF the hands
OF the politicians and made on the test OF
fitness alone, there would be fewer
leaders ready TO take the bread from
the children OF some poor but-capable
man to give his place to some mere politi-
clan. He with sorrow asserted that what
had been achieved Mt Chicago had not been
borne out by the present Administration.
In all that the movement meant that placed
Garfield in the Presidents chair, thcspeaker
had sympathized. lie trusted the Repub-
licans present were assembled to show what
they could do to manumit the Republican
party; 10 protest against the method by
which it had been managed, and to say to
the people OF this country, by voice, that
this body is actuated by desire for the
good Of the Republic; TINT the party shall
rid itself Of its barnaclcs, and OF all the
murky and corrupt atmosphere by which
she las been surrounded; TO show that
the Republican party was q progressive
party, composed Of Tree, thinking men, and
and controlled by engineers in the paid
political employment Of any man.
When the roll OF delegates was called,
the name OF Charles S. Wolfe provoked
protracted applause. ~ am here" said
Mr.. Wolfe. DR.. D. W. Doanc, in response
when his name was called, said, "Gentlc-
men, amherc to resolve with yeu that
we willput our grand old party where the
immortal Lincoln found it und the in.mor.
tul Garfield LETT it."
Hon. II. l.. Foster, OF Venango, was Sc
lccted rs permanent chairman. In accept
fng the chair, Mr.. Foster asserted TINT the
death OF President Garfield was chargcable
directly to the spoils system, and spoke
of the political power Of tic State rs some
thing that Ind been too long regarded us n
sort Of patrimony to be handed down from
father to son. ~
| A communication was read from the Pro-
hibitionists asking that the question OF
prohibiting the sale Of jntoxicalips liquors
be given prominent place in the platform.
The platform, Ms aspreparedby the commit
tee, wasthen read and adopted; the reading
was frequently interrupted by applause,
which certain panks, especially those con-
demning "bossism" and the "spoils system"
elected. The essential features in the plat
form are rs follows: myl
The Republicans OF Pennsylvania who
| will not surrender their political rights,
and who maintain to exercise their own
conscience and judgment concerning pub
| lie atiuirs, having assembled in State con-
venlion, make the following declaration OF
their principles and purposes:
| We declare oIir attachment to the prin-
ciples OF the Republican party-frccdom
union, nationality, equal rights before the
law, maintenance OF the public faith and
protection to home industry-and We de.
mand that the record which has been Sc
nobly madc shall be wisely and feirlcssly
perpctuatcd. T,
We declare that the nomination and
: election Of James \. Garfield, to the Prcsi
dency sgnied the triumph Of true reiornl
in the civil service and enlarged liberty OF
| action for the masses OF the Republican
party in the nomination OF candidates md
the conduct Of their party aililirs, and We
!. deplore the overwhelming evidence pre-
sented to us in Pennsylvania, that the c,,.
lamity OF his assassination has been fol-
F. lowed by the overthrow OF these reforms IN
the hands OF his successor. .6a.'6
!. We denounce the system which makes
! patronage and "spoils" out Of the public
Offices. We dcnouncc the practice Of giving
them TO political managers ior use in nd
\ yancing personal and political ends. We
denounee the removal OF faithful and com.
pctent officers in the absence Of any public
J reason. Wedcnounce the practice Of levy.
Ing assessments and demanding contribu
, tons for party use from public officials
| We denounce severely and collectively the
: evils and corruptions which accompany
the system Of "boss rule'' and machine
CONTROL" which when talnely endured
. makes the lenders autocrats and reduces
:. the mass Of citizenship into political bond.
age. s..t .57
!. We declare our purpose to take up Tho
work which fell when Garfield fell. We
: demand in place Of the "spoils system" the
i; reiomstion Of the civil service by law, &c
: that tho appointivc PLACES therein may be
freely open to NIL fit and industrious citizen!
and that removals thereirom shall be onl,
. for good and sufficient public causc. w