Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-09-13
A MEETING OF TAMMANY.
An Address Presented and Resolution
Adopted - Ex-senator Grady
Declares for Butler.
New YORK, Sept. /.

chairman, John Kelley presided.
Gen. Spinela, chairman of the sub-commit-
tee appointed by the committee on organiza-
ton to draft an address and set of resolu-
tions made the following report.
The address declares that since its forma-
ton, the Tammany society has never tottered
in the support of tue candidates of the demo-
cratic party. The wage earners had cast
their lot with the party, expecting to receive
reward in such legislation as would anelio-
rate their condition Labor had secured a
passage by the legislature of the five cent
bill, this bill limiting the working hours of
car drivers and conductors and mechanics
lien bill, only to meet with an executive veto
These vetoes are deemed sufficient to justify
Tammanys opposition TO the democratic
nominee at Chicago. The governors motives
are not impugned as he acted conscientiously
Considerable space is devoted to the reputa-
tion of the charge that TammanY conspired
to defeat Gen. Hancock and the adoption of
the unit rule by the national convention,
thereby preventing the delegates from voting
for the candidate of the choice in seveal
cases. The address concludes. Candidates
OF the democratic party having been nomina-
ted in the national convention following the
uniform and unbroken record of our organi-
cation, we acquisce in the will of majority of
the representative of the party, although we
believe that will to have been universally ex-
pressed. There is but one alternative left
us to sever our connection with the demo-
cratic party This we cannot and will not
do. In Justice to our conscience and Judge
ment, we cannot pursue that course, for we
believe that time will disconnect the great
democratic party from the leadership of men,
who have used power universally and detri-
Ulnr tnll fN eara1 h
ganization to the support of the nominees of
the democratic party for President and Vice
President.
We have always in our capacity as dele
gates exercised the right to advocate men
whom we know to be trusted by the people,
or oppose the nomination of those who were
not, and it was in the exercise of this right
in conscentiously discharging our duty that
we took occasion at Chicago and advised
against the nomination which was made by
the national convention. Our opposition was
without personal feeling, and arose from our
intimate knowledge of the sentiments of the
toiling masses of our States as to the course
of Gov. Cleveland in reference to their labor
bills. The most charitable view to take of
his course is that he was ignorant and u1en-
lightened concerning the nature and making
of these laws which would have occasioned
so much real benefit to the working man,
and could not have resulted in loss to en-
ployers.
The following resolution was submitted
Resolved, That we, the democratic repub
lican general committee of this city and the
county of New York, in Tammany Hall,
assembled hereby ratify and endorse the
nominations made the National democratic
convention held in Chicago on July 10, 1884.
To nd of
York; for Vice President, Thos Hendricks
of Indiana and hereby pledge ourselves to
earnest and cordial support of the candidates
SO nominated
Applause and Kisses greeted the reading of
the address and for some time it was doubtful
which prevailed, but finally cheers had the
best of it. In moving the adoption of the
address, Gen. Spinolo said the mere wheeling
into line of Tammany Hall would not secure
the election of the Chicago candidate. The
democrats of the whole country must also
wheel into line. 1t is possible, even at this
late date to snatch the victory from the jaws
of defeat When Gen. Spinola sat down,
ex-senator Thomas F. Grady demanded re-
cognition OF the chair. Mr.. Grady was
cheered even more heartily than Mr.. Kelly
had been earlier. The chairman pounded on
the table for quiet, but in vain the crowd
would not become quiet. During the uproar,
Grady took position off the platform next
to the chair. He was at last permitted
to proceed.
He delivered carefully prepared speech
in vindication of his own course in condem-
nation of the official acts of Gov. Cleveland.
He would protest against the passage of the
resolution, although he knew that it would
not be of any avail. There was no pretence
ba hat tha Of
a vindication of democratic principals. Re-
ferring to the Governors veto of the elevated
railroad bill, he said. similar measure had
failed to pass the preceding legislature, ow-
ing, as the people believed, to the corrupt
use of money, yet in 1888 the railroads al
lowed it to pass the legislature without an
attempt to delay it, satisfied that their inter-
ests were protected. The governor vetoed
tim bill. Mr.. Grady continued, giving as
the unconstitutionality of the bill, upon which
the railroad managers and their lawyers
placed no reliance. Now | ask you if the
public judgment condemns as corrupt the rep.
resentatives who placed their opposition to
the bill. Upou the precise grounds stated in
the governors veto why should less severe
judgment be pronounced against him. Mr..
Grady then referred to other acts of the gov
ernor, which he claimed we're in opposition
to the interests of the working people. Grady
then referred tb the National platform which
he claimed was quite in harmony with the
candidate. 1t proclaims for ''honest civil
service REFORM" under which the republican
office holders at the North are being guaran-
teed by independent republican protectorate
continuance in Office during good behavior
The speaker then closed with these words ::
''Preferrin a true reformer to a sham re-
former, a statesman to a hangman, an illus
trious citizen to political adventurer, de-
cline to support Grover Cleveland for the
presidency and here and now in the presence
of leader whom have always regarded as
my political sponsor, in the midst of brethren
and comrades with whom have shared many
a hard fought feud, and before the eyes of all
the country to whom have this night laid
bare my motives and my purposes, declare
myself in favor of Benz. F. Butler"
When the ex-senator had concluded, NJ.
Burke Cockrane, who it was expected would
side with Grady, said: There is a duty
which every democrat has to perform in the
present crisis. He must subordinate his
action to the interests of the party No per-
son contended more vigorously than | did
against the nomination of Cleveland. No
one opposed more earnestly the folly of
passing over in silence and indifference the
heroes of the party, passed over to nominate
a man who was forced on the attentions of
his party merely by the press and few re-
fractory republicans who had never failed to
express their abhorrance of our principles