Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-06-22
lating to the Railroad Commission and the
State University.

lating to the Railroad Commission and tn,
State University.
THE SUNDAY LAW PLANK.
The Convention took up the platform BY
plauks.
Rogers moved that the clause for repf q
of the Sunday law be stricken out, leaving
the rest of the plank as reported.
D. J. Outrane, of Alameda. made an urg.
emit speech in favor Of the Sunday Law, and
accused the saloon men of packing juries to
defeat the law. He would not crook the
hinges of the knee to catch a few votes.
Was not the church vote as good as the
whisky vote
Terry said the clause referred to was passed
in committee by vote of to q The Demo
cratic party could afford to do right, but
could not afford to play the coward. He was
opposed to sumptuary laws in general, and
the Sunday law in particular.
Whipple of Sonoma made broad speech
in favor of individual freedom and against
restrictive laws, but on the question under
discussion he would vote to strike out the
clause demanding the repeal of the Sunday
law.
Tourney made vigorous speech in sup
port of the declaration against the Sunday
law. 1t was the history of the party that no
mans religious belief should be disturbed.
| He advocated the resolution as an expression
of true Democracy. 1t was live issue, and
the Democrats had the courage to meet it.
Hollaway hoped the Con ention would not
be hasty. The adoption of bad platform
would defeat the party next November. So
far as my constituents are concerned, a decla.
ration to repeal the Sunday law would GU.
the Democratic party in two pieces.
A scene of confusion followed, and great
cries of Question"
White of Los Angeles was personally OPP
posed to the law, but spoke of vast differ
ence in local sentiment. He favored, as
Whipple of Sonoma had suggested, refer
ence of the question to a committee.
Oullahan of San Joaquin believed the
Convention should take an outspoken posi-
ton in favor of repeal.
A dozen delegates moved the previous
question.
sMoorhouse of Monterey favored its ref
erence to committee. He was Democrat,
belonged to the South Methodist Church, and
didn't scratch his ticket. He did not want
a plank in the platform to cause any Metho-
dist to scratch the ticket.
Brady of Fresno favored the repeal of the
Sunday law. He had failed to secure one
conviction in his county out of 120 arrests.
He advocated repeal on the ground that a
man ought to be allowed to worship God &C.
cording to the dictates of his own conscience.
Church Democrats would not scratch the
ticket on account of the repeal clause. The
South Methodists never scratch. Laughter.
The Chair stated Rogers motion, which
simply provides that the clause for repeal
shall be stricken out leaving the rest of the
plank as reported.
A call of the roll was demanded.
Alameda voted mo-" but the explanation
was made that all the delegates were not in
favor of so voting, but under instructions had
to vote as a unit.
San Francisco, through Thomas Bishop,
voted los votes against striking out, and pro-
louged applause followed. Three San Fran.
cisco delegates arose and voted aye. The
vote was recorded-105 noes and ayes.
The motion to strike out was lost-165
ayes, 20S noes-and the plank was adopted
rs reported.
THE RAILROAD PLANK.
Fowler of Tulare offered another plank, re-
quiring the Railroad Commissioners to reduce
freights and fares 20 per cent, and retain the
reduction during their tern of office.
Judge Terry said he would support the
resolution if the wording should be changed
to make reductions III the present tariff aggre.
eating 20 percent.
Fowler spoke in favor of his plank.
Flournoy said the whole matter was dis
cussed in the committee. The Convention
was not prepared to act intelligently on such
resolution as Fowler had introduced.
Oullahan of San Joaquin believed the peo-
pie of the State would be satisfied with the
plank as reported.
Martin of Alameda said Terry had con-
sented to an amendment providing for re
duction of 20 per cent. from the gross earn
ings of the road.
Balm of Colusa spoke Of the Importance of
the position of Railroad Commissioner, and
held that it would be improper to pledge the
Commissioners to q specific reduction. 1t
would be as improper as to pledge Judge to
render certain decision.
White of Los Angeles said the people of
his county were tired of general pledges,
platitudes and broken promises. They wanted
reduction of 20 per cent
Griffith of Fresno held that the Democracy
should place itself on record in favor of
reduction of at least 20 per cent. No real
prosperity could come until the exactiops of
the company were removed.
Another scene of confusion followed, and
cries of Previous question"
John S. Encs, of Sonoma-This Conven-
ton must not choke off debate.
The Chair-It shall not
Euoa made speech which called out ap-
plause. He commended that the State Con.
vention was the place to discuss the railroad
question. He thanked God that there was
one bright star undimmed in the Railroad
Commission. Applause
Findley of Ell Dorado apprehended that
there would be no objection to Fowler's reso.
luton as amended. He moved the previous
question.
Mr.. Cross obtained the floor after consider.
able difficulty. He called for information as
to the earnings of the railroad company.
Paulsell of San Joaquin said he had the
courage to refuse to do foolish thing. He
was in favor of doing the thing that was fair
between the people and the railroad
Williams of San Joaquin spoke against the
Fowler resolution. 1t was more important
to get honest and capable Railroad Commits
sioners.
Donnelly of San Francisco did not want
the resolution to apply to the little railroads
which were managed in the interest of the
people.
The previous question was called and or.
dered.
The roll was called on Fowler's additional
plank.
Fowler's plank was lost by vote of ayes
1876, noes 221.
The platform was then adopted as whole,
and the Convention adjourned until PM
The San Francisco delegation on Fowler's
plank voted 35 ayes and 81 noes.
THE REJECTED PLANK.