The state journal. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1883-1885, 1884-04-12
rEANsYLvANIA DEMOCRATS.
Proceedings OF the Convention at Allen.
town Yesterday.


ocratic convention was called TO order il
the Opera House by Chairman Hense
shortly after 10 o'clock yesterday, anC
the proceedings were opened with brave
by Rev. S. G. Wagner The roll VA
then called and several contests were an
nounced. AT the close Of the rOll-cal
Hon. A. II. Dill nominated r Milton
Speer for temporary chairman, and ht
was elected biz acclaaaatiUn Mr Dill
and Hon. M. L. Scott escorted Mr.. Spec
TO the chair. On taking his seat, Mr.
Speer made briet address.
The rules Of the House Of Representa-
tlves were adopted for the government b
the body and the various committees Oh
resolutions, credentials and organization
were appointed without 10 Of time.
An adjournment was then taken till {
O'Clock to allow the committees to com
plete their work
The Committee on Organization immc
diately convened and decided upon r.
Milton Speer for permanent chairman
Afternoon session
1t was ESQ o'clock when Chairman
Speer's gavel fell ard the Convention
was again called to order Hon. Thomas
III. Greevy, chairman Of the committee
on permanent organization, reported that
the committee had agreed upon Hon. r..
Milton Speer for permaneAt chairman.
one delegate from each Senatorial district
for vice presidents, and half q dozen sec-
retaries.
Contests for Seats.
Senator Kennedy reported from The
Committee on Credentials that they had
decided that in the Tenth PHILADELPHIA
district VIM. ID. Kendricb and James a
Conner were entitled to the Seats; in the
Fifteenth, McArdlc, Morris and NcCdl
Tough; in the Twenty seventh. ,Jere L
Kane; in he Second Of Schuylkill, Du-
gan and Knapp; in Junata thefour Claim
ants to seats were all admitted with a
half vote each The Dauphin contest
was withdrawn In Berks the contest
was decided BY admitting those delegates
elected by the faction known as the
county Democracy
The Platform.
Hon William Mutchler, from the Com
mittee on Resolutions, reported the fol-
lowing platform Of principles
First The Democratic party OF Pennsylva-
mia, in convention declares its unalterable
determination to maintain those principles
OF Government ordained by the Federal
Constitution and their Interpretation which
the founders Of the party settled ana de
known, and de ounces the late attempts by
the agents OF the Federal Government to
overturn these principles by Judicial legisla-
ton and executive usurp tiOns.
Second. We are against Capitalization,
monopoly, eNtIavagant expenditures, sub
sides, and a debl, cement OF the civil service
10 partisan spOliatipn
Third. We believe that the electoral fraud
of l876-lS77, by which Samuel J. Tilden and
Thomas j. Hendricks We're cheated out Of
the office Of President and Vice President,
TO which they We're fairly elected, was the
most deadly blow ever aimed at our system
OF representative Government and the duty
OF driving from power the men and the
the most sacred obligation ever imposed
upon the cOnsciences Of frecmen.
Fourth w favor Il tarltf for revenue linn
tied to the necessities OF the Government,
economically administered, and so adjusted
in its application as To prevent unequal bur
dens. encourage productive industries at
home and afford inst compensation to labor,
but not TO create or foster mOnOpOlies. ana
10 this end we favor the abolition of the in
ternal revenue system Of taxes, and such
adj uStmcnt OF toe existing tariff duties us
viii be consistent with these principles.
Fifth. Every legitimate effort Of labor TO
better its condition, enhance its rewards,
and protect its rights commands the sym
patty and support OF the Democratic party:
the importation under contract Of foreign
pauper labor is an cyi! which should be
remed cd by judicious legislation.
Sixth. We favor the enforcement Of the
Constitution Of Pennsylvania in Its every
article ana section, and especially de-
mana the regulation by law in accordance
Herewith Of the corporations Of the state,
the eQualiZ alton OF the tax laws, the appro
prlation of public moneys to public uses
only, and honest management Of the state
Treasury, and rigid enforcement of the laws
governing it.
Seventh. The refusal OF the Republican
members Of the Legislature to agree 70
Just apportionment was tiagrant violation
of the Constitution for unworthy partisan
purposes We denOunce their course. and
we applaud and commend the determination
of the Democratic Governor, Representa-
lives and Senators to insist upon IN honest
ana fair apportionment; and we commend
the present Democratic stale admln1stra-
ton for its maintenance OF the Constitution,
its enforcement of the law. and its honest
ana capable discharge Of public duties.
The Endorsement of Randall.
The following was appended to the
platform
Resolved, That Samuel J. Randall is the
choice Of the Democracy OF Pennsylvania
asthe candidate of their party for Presi
dent. BY long, faithful public service he
political principle and fealty 10 the Demo
cratic party. His honesty and honor; his GU
pacity and courage, his faithful laboIs ana
signal abilities, have merited aud wOn for
him the confidence and support of the poo
pie of the United States.
The platform as read was adopted and
then loud and repeated cries were made
for Randall.
A motion TO appoint committee 10
call upon that gentleman and invite him
to appear before the convention was quick
ly adopted, and pending the absence Of
this committee the time was consumed in
general buzz and talk by the members
Of the convention, and a speech or two.
While Mr. Sowden, one Of the speak
erS, was talking, Mr. Randall entered,
and he at once declared, amid a burst Of
cheers, that he gave way to tile next
President. For some time it was impos-
sible for Mr.. Randall TO proceed so great
was the enthusiasm. AT last, howcver,
quiet beng restored, he spoke as follows:
MI. RandalIs Speech.
II am here present in obedience to
your request, and desire to acknowledge
my deep and lasting obligation TO you,
the representatives of more than four
hundred thousand Democrats Of this great
and glorious Commonwealth, and to
thank you for the high honor which you
have to day unanimously bestowed upon
me. do not attribute this action In any
degree to my personal merits; on
the contrary | recognize and realize
it as an approval Of the resolute
and aggressive course which have
pursued in Congress in advocacy and de-
tense Of those cardinal principles advo-
Gated by Jefferson, Jackson, Polk and
Buchanan. AS it has been with me in
the past, SO it will be to the end. And
now, | thank you one and all, and beg
that each Of you will convey back TO
your constituents the assurance that in
the future they will fad no faltering, no
falling by the wayside in defense Of your
rights
Nominations-Congres
Nomir ations for Congressman at Large
We're then made, including the names Of
General ". w. II. Davis, of Bucks w.
IN Pialt of Wnn,rnirncr nnl Insnnh ID