The Labor enquirer., 1884-08-23

. /, 2 ) : q . - & & "a
ton of gentleman whose length of public
service and long acquaintance with public
affairs, and whose prior consideration lin
other Democratic conventions showed that
he had some claims to be considered a DEM
ocratic statesman. All of the delegation
who remained faithful to their constituents
and represented the Massachusetts, Democ-
racy so voted, and with true consistency and
propriety so stood firmly to the end.
Then ensued in the committee q struggle
of many hours so as to frame tariff plank
that should appear to say what mine said,
and yet not say it, and appear to say the con-
trary, and yet not say it-like the Western
hunter who tried to shoot his rifle at some
thing he dimly saw stirring in bush, SO as
to hit it if it was deer and miss it if it was
a calf, - .ggsf-. 3,
With this struggle of ingenuity and decep-
ton, as if for prize, of course / had moth
ing to do, but simply stood by my guns. My
resolutions were never again voted upon in
the committee nor was the tariff resolution
in the words in which it was presented to
the convention agreed upon in the sub-com-
mittee at all, but was amended after it was
presented to the general committee. 1t will
be observed that mine was substantially the
Ohio tariff plank, which, when offered by
Mr.. Converse in general committee, was also
voted down. although it had been adopted
by many state conventions. -
l afterwards offered series of resolutions
in favor of industries and laboring men and
women of the country. 7-st. nj. e. zz,,..I.rF
That under existing laws all controversies
between labor and capital can only be set
tied by brute force and that as capital is
strong and labor weak, therefore govern
ment should establish tribunals in which
these great controversies may be settled. 4,
That it should be provided by law that
laboring men may combine for their own
protection as capital may be Incorporated
and combine for its protection, and that all
laws that hinder the laboring man in this
right are oppressive and
OUGHT TO BE CHANGED. -
That all the great woes of our country
bave come because of imported labor. That
America ought never to be Lazar house
for the reception of the pauper labor of other
countries, sent here through governmental
aid, or brought here under contract by cap
ital, for the purpose of debasing American
workingmen and women, by competing with
them through imported or convict labor.
That labor has a right to demand a just
share of the profits of his own production.
That the fnture of the country unites
with the laboring men in demanding lib
eral support by the United States of common
school education in the states, so that all
their duties as freemen and electors. "a
ALI of which, one after another were voted
down.
/ also presented a resolution declaring
that the legal tender currency, under the de-
cisien of the Supreme court, was now the
constitutional currency of the country, and
should not be interfered with, and that bus
ness interests should not be disturbed by
financial discussion.
That also was voted down in the commit
tee. and resolution passed that the De
mocracy were in favor of honest money"
This was intended to be, and is an insult to
every friend of constitutional currency, and
was presented by one of the most narrow
minded of capitalists.
OPPOSED TO MoNoPoLIEs.
| also offered resolution that all monop-
olies as they tend to make two classes, the
very rich and the very poor, were hurtful to
the republic. Voted down. .
I also offered resolution that the agents
of the government, whether state or ma
tional, incorporated to do public business,
were the servants of the people and should
be regulated by the power that created them.
This resolution seemed necessary, because
the contrary had lately been enunciated
from high source as proposition OF con-
stitutional law, to which | cannot agree.
That was voted down.
Another resolution that it was the duty OF
congress to provide by law that railroads
should not make discriminating rates so as
to enhance the price of the necessaries OF
life between the producer and consumer.
That suffered the same fate.
Again, a resolution declaring the public
lands to be the heritage of the people, and
that they ought to be held in small quanti-
ties for that purpose only, and another rese-
luton that public lands were held in trust
by the government for those who became
citizens of the United States, and ought not
to be permitted to be monopolized in large
areas by corporations and the aristecracy OF
Europe. ',,,
Both voted down.
Again. resolution that the United States
will not permit ship canal to be built across
the Isthmus of Panama without its consent,
except that it will exercise the right to take
possession of it, whenever the necessity ol
the country demands. ..
That, too, was voted down.
alse offered resolution that the various
offices of the government belong to the peo,
pie thereof, and that frequent changes o.
federal officials were necessary to counteraci
the growing aristocratic tendencies to Life
office, as well as for the discovery and pun
ishment of frauds and entertainments O.
public money.
This was voted down.
CITIZENS NOT TO BE SENT AWAY TO BE TRIED
Again, offered in ub-committee, resolu
| tions defining the duty of the United State
| to protect every citizen everywhere, and aist
that no American citizen should be tried TO-
any act done in this country except undel
it's own laws and on its own soil, and tina
there was no power in the government Z
send a citizen elsewhere to be tried therefor
These resolutions were voted down IN TIT
sub-committee, but when Offered in the gen
eral committee, there being nothing IN th'
platform deemed by that. committee to be
Substantial equivalent, they were adopted
although there were some namby -pamoy
statements reported by the Subcommittee
on the same subject. r.f.. : '.at.s ;. !,
This will account to those curious IN sucf
| matters for two sets of resolutions upon tn.
same subject in the platform, to which
call attention, and designate for convenience
as the american ~ and the English. reso
1i.... &C tba rSobts of American citizen!