Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-10-01
MASSACHUSETTS REPUBLICANS.
The state Convention Held at Sprin s field
A Platform of Pure Republican Prin.
ciples Adopted-Beard Nominated for
State Treasurer-The Rest OF the Old
Ticket Re.nominated.
SpRINGrIELp. Mass Scot. 80.

IL was le.io Wnen tue state committee ap-
peared upon the platform of City Hall to
open the republican State convention, and at
that hour nearly every seat in the hall was
occupied. The announcement by the board
that the convention wonld come TO order WAS
received with applause, and the roll was then
read by the secretary.
On motion of Mr.. Breed of Lynn, Hon A.
w. Beard was chosen temporary chairman,
and Col. j. j. Whipple temporary secretary
Prayer was offered by Rev. .. e. Bucking
ham, ID D.. after which MIR. Beard addressed
the convention.
4 In the course of his remarks MIR. Beard
said, among other things, that this was the
first time since 1860 that the republicans of
Massachusetts had met in convention with a
national administration in the hands OF the
democrats party. Notwithstanding the de-
feat in the last presidential election the re-
vivlng prosperity of the country is based
upon the confidence which business men all
over the country have in the republican SEN
ate OF the United States. They have faith
that the Senate will prevent vicious and de-
| structive legislation upon the tariff and upon
the currency. The hope of the business men
of the nation for the suspension of the coinage
of the silver dollar, for the passage of ju-
diclous national bankrupt law, rests not upon
the democratic party IN Congress, but upon
the republican members aided by IA small
minority OF the democrats. He said that not
until there Is republican majority i'll the
National House OF Representatives would
there be fair elections in the South.
The men who plan aud carry on murder
Gus election campaigns IN the South know
that democratic House Will not question
| how democrat obtained his certificate of
election. He predicted that a republican
majority would be elected in the House next
year, and IN 1888 republican president and
! republican congress would administer the
nations affairs. lie concluded by urging
upon the attention OF the convention the TACT
that the election in Massachusetts this year
would be especially important because of lis
Influence upon national affairs.
| The committee on credentials reported
that 32S cities and towns were represented
by 1922 delegates. The committee on per-
manent organization then reported the name
of Hon. Geo. +. lioar as permanent presi-
| dent and Mr.. Hoar was escorted to the plat
form amid great applause and delivered
| long address.
The following is the platform of the con-
venton
We, the republicans of Massachusetts,, in
convention assembled, reatirm once more
our adherence 10 those principals OF freedom,
equality and national supremacy and liberal
constitutional construction upon which our
party was founded, and by which it has pros
| pered and been enabled to advance the well
fare of the country. We renew our pledges
to the sailors and sailors of the war that all
shall be done for them and theirs, both in
State and nation, that justice and gratitude
alike can give. We demand the prompt ac-
ton by Congress of general bankrupt law,
substantially as passed by the Senate of the
u. ). during the last Congress. We de-
mand their immediate and unconditional sus-
pension OF the Overvalued silver dollar. We
urge the rigorous enforcement of the Ed
munds law in Utah, with the passage OF such
| amendments as viii give 1t increased cfli-
cheney and the encouragement of the kan
sas plan" of settling the Mormon territory
with law-abldiug American citizens. We
give to the civil service act as passed by a
republican Congress our hearty and con
tinued approval and, in accordance with our
last national platform, we demand the ex-
tension of all the principles of that act to all
the business offices of the government, and
the repeal OF the four years tenure law. We
favor any reform revisIons or reductions in
the customs duties whlch will benefit our
labor or our industries, but we pledge our
selves to the firm maintenance of the pro-
tectlve principle which prevents the dispace-
ment IN our home markets of American by
foreign products, with consequent diminu-
| alton of employment and which also guards
US from competition which would result in
the wages of American workingmen being
regulated by the standard which foreign
manufacturers would dictate.
The republican party has always been an
essetlally national and Union party. 1t is
opposed 10 sectlonalism and to geographical
division in any and every form. 1t has heart
! lily and deeply rejoiced in the mantle stations
OF sympathy and good feeling at the South,
called patriot As republicans we wish tor
complete and perfect reconciliation between
the sections. To have such reconciliation.
the results of the war must be accepted every
where in good faith. One result has not been
accepted. The negro, enfranchised by the
war, is largely deprived Of his privilege as a
voter. In certain States elections are
mockery. The returns are fraudulent and
voting farce. If we were to be silent rs to
this crying evil, we should be false to all the
traditions and principles Of our party as well
as those OF the American government and
American freedom.
Against this great wrong SO dangerous and
so un-Amercan, yet vindcated and main
talned by successive democratic majorlties in
the House of Representatives we propose to
agitate and TO prohibit. We appeal against it
to public opinion, both North and South. We
shall seek redress IN an aroused public con-
science and in proper legislation. We shall
not be content until the wrong is crushed out
and justice done. As one specific measure
tending to remedy this evil, We urge upon
Congress the policy of making liberal grants
IN aid of primary education in the recent
slave states.
As we protest against the suppression of
the negro vote, so also in the same spirit do
We protest against election frauds, counte-
nanced and fostered by the democratic party
in certain cities Of the North, and we denouce
the action of President Cleveland, in pardon
ing criminal like Lieut.. Mullen, because by
50 doing he directly encourages and condones
the dangerous crimes against the ballot; TO
endorse honest and dignified administration
of government. We give our hearty approval
aud we pledge to him our earnest and un-
swerving support
We urge upon our state legislature the
wisdom Of submitting to the decision of the
people the question of biennial elections.
We commend the action Of the Legislature in
behalf Of stricter and more direct response
bility in municipal government. We feel
keenly the evils OF intemperance. We are
prepared to support the most stringent legis-
lation for their suppression that can be made
effective, and We believe that the first step
toward checking them is the rigid enforce
ment Of the existing laws.
Massachusetts under republican rule has