Smyrna times., 1886-06-23

three fingers were terribly lacerated,
two of which will likely be lost.
The State Temperance Reform Con-
Vention.
The first meeting of the temperance
reform movement in its political aspect
was State Convention held yesterday
in Dover for the purpose of formulating
and prOmulgating their principles, aud
also to nominate candidates for Gov
ernOr and Representative in Congress,
The day proved an exceedingly stormy
one, but the convention was largely
attended by delegates as we'll as many
interested spectators. The delegates
on the lower train brought with them
the Wyoming Brass Band, who
marched through the streets to the tune
of patriotic airs and likewise made
some excellent music in the Hall.
The convention met in Court House
Hall shortly after eleven o'clock and
spent the morning in efIecting an or
ganizatiOn. Richard NJ. Cooper, the
President of the State Temperance Al
lance, called the meeting to order, and
Rev. J. F. StoneVipher of Dover led in
prayer The Presidents of the County
AssociatiOns-Wm, w, Morgan, of
Sussex w. n. Brown, of Kent, and
Alfred GawthrOp, of New Castle coun-
ty-were constituted the vice Presi-
dent of the convention. The names of
delegates Wero then called which con-
sumed some time, after which, on mo-
tiOn of G. w. Todd, Chas. II. Register.
of Smyrna, was chosen for President of
the convention, and Geo. w. Todd, of
Wilmington, and Rev. DIR. II. c. Hea-
ton, of Lewes, vice-Presidents. Vim
cent G.. Finn, of New Castle county.
was chosen Secretary and J. f. Hor-
ney, of Kent, and J. J, Roioe, Of Sus-
sex, assistants. I. l.. Mason, w. II.
Gregg, David Eastburn, New Castle
county ]. w. Denney, T. w. Hop
kins, W. I, Case, of Kent county, and
w. w. Morgan, J. A. Peck and G. w.
Marshall, of Sussex county were ap-
pointed a committee on credentials.
On motion a committee Of five from
each county was appointed to report Il
Platform at the opening of the after
noon session, after which they ad-
jOuTned for dinner. The committee
was as follows: Geo. w. Todd, A.
Gawthrop, T. w. Ferree, G. w. We'll
din and A. G. Cox, of New Castle
county; A. L. Hudson, VIM. r. Phil
lips, Il. NJ. Cooper, VIM. L. McIlvain.
and G. w. Lord, of Kent county; and
J. H, Marvel, DR.. HeatOn, VIM. w.
Morgan, W. z. Chambers and ]. ].
Boice, of Sussex county.
On reassembling in the afternoon,
while waiting for the committee to
bring IN their report, committee was
| appointed TO take subscriptions for
campaign expenses and over $400 was
secured.
The report of the committee of ff-
teen on declaration of principles was
read by the chairman amidst the pro-
tOundest attention, the delegates at
several times during the reading break
ing out IN applause, so we'll pleased
We're they with the report that a mo-
ton to read it as usually the case, sec
tiOn by section, and the platform. as a
delegate stated it, was swallowed
whole" " with entire unanimity. 1t
reads as follows:
THE PLATFORM.
Believing the time has fully come in the
! history of this State when many reforms
! are necessary in our laws and their admin
lstration, aud believing that those reforms
/ Net'A4tNt W bbbuliltQ bIlIONRu the DOllLleal
/ parties, as now organized we as citizens of
the State of Delaware, in convention met
at Dover, on the 22d day of June. 1886. do
| present the following declaration of Prin-
| clples as the platform of the Temperance
| Reform Party:
| Ftrst-prpnkenness is fearful evil, and
| the use OF inpXicants is destructive to
home, health, life and property, and a pro-
life source of misery, pauperism and crime.
| All men must admit that the tide of human
! wretchedness Is swelled to gigantic prOpor-
tlons by the common use of alcoholic bey-
erages. 10 remedy this growing evil we,
therefore, favor such legislative enactments
concerning the manufacture and sale of in !
toXlcatlng beverages rs shall give to the |
people of our State the opportunity of vot- !
ing directly on this question either by local |
OptloR or through constitutional amend |
| mGnts.
Secnd-LOcal self-government touching
local interests we believe to be the true |
state policy, and representation in our Leg |
| lature and Levy Courts to be based upOn |
the principle Of district Representations 1t |
Is apparent to all observing minds that |
some OF the evils of our present system are |
uue 10 the manner Of appointing many of |
our officials We are Of the opinion 'that |
all our State and county officers should be !
elected by the people, and further, we hold |
that our State constitution is not adapted TO |
~
and we, therefore favor Il constitutional |
convention.
Ihird-Bribery and fraud have endan-
gered the sanctity of Il free ballot and right |
OF franchise and should meet the condem-
nation and censure Of all good citizens
and should be punished with the utmost
seryerlty Our present qualifications for
electors seem rather to foster than to sup
press these evils We, therefore. favor a
registration law, with proper qualifications
which shall secure to every man his rights
OF franchise rs an American citizen
FOUTth-We are in hearty sympathy
with all legitimate movements for the de-
velOpment of American labor and Ameri-
can Manufacturs. We believe this country
must depend in future chiefly upon its own
products, and whatever improves them
tends 10 enrich the people, exalt labor and
elevate the masses.
Fitth-While we desire to encourage
legitimate manufacturing interests in our
State and recommend the repeal of the
special manufacturers tax, we would also
recognize the claims of the agricultural
portion OF our commonwealth. The State
OF Delaware is pre-eminenty farming
community; her husbandry constitutes n
large portion of her wealth, and is to her "a
source of pride. Its interests should be
leading consideration of state policy. We
favor elevating the head of the National
Department Of Agriculture to scat in the
CaDlheJ, helylng upon the right and JUS
tice Of the principles we advocate the
patriotism and integrity of all fair-minded
and thoughtful men, irrespective of past
party affiliations, and with II firm hope that
the righteousness of our cause will bring
success to our movement, we earnestly
commend the foregoing principles to the |
voters Of OR State, and ask for their an
proval and support
The meeting then went into the Sc ,
lection of candidates to head the ticket.
Mr.. GawthrOp, representing New Cas-
tie county, after short speech stating
the reason for the choice, nominated
James h. Hofecker, of Middletown.
for the gubernatorial candidate and
after moments pause, no other name
being presented, delegate from Sus-
sex moved that he be nominated bv
acclamatiOn, which was done without
a dissenting voice, followed by three |
hearty cheers. Mr.. Gawthrop, also as
the choice of New Castle county. pre-
sented the name of r. M. COoper. of {
Moorton, for Representative in Con- {
gress, which was also endorsed bv ac-
clamation and huzzas. Ere the latter +
had died away member of the consl {
Vention called out " let the band plav . /
which it did in stirring music. !
n noe -. II I