The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-06-06
THE FIRST DAY.
How the Convention Met and was
Organized.

| was WeH known that Chairman Barnum, OF
the National Committee, would not open the
convention until noon. The day opened less
auspiciously than its predecessors so far as
the weather was concerned. For the first
time in week there were heavy clouds in
the sky, which brought with them premohi-
tions OF rain.
Many of the delegations which had failed
yesterday to appoint their committee men
were In caucus as early as 8 o'clock, and in
more than one the position which should be
taken on the tariff question furnished the
text for animated discussions.
| There were also an informal meeting Of
members Of committee on resolutions, so far
as selected, at which the policies Of revamp-
ing the tariff plank Of the platform Ia the
last national convention, and replacing it by
| an out and out declaration on the lines Of the
| Presidents recent message were discussed
at length. But nothing definite was arrived
at, and when the conference adjourned 1t
was apparent that there would be fight and
that 1t would be begun in earnest just as soon
| as the labors of the convention today were
over.
A massive bronze statue of President
Cleveland, supported by vase containing a
gigantic bouquet Of the choicest flowers,
looked down upon the convention hall when
the doors were opened at 10 o'clock this
morning. Above, an oil painting of his ex-
eellency was supported by oil paintings Of
Illden and Hendricks, vivid reminder of
| past and present. Many improvements had
| teen made in the hall since the formal OPEN
/ ing Saturday night.
Chairman Barnum called the convention
to order, and introduced Bishop Cranberry,
who delivered the invocation, the delegates
Standing EhAra xUnr orfa xf s4a-gg
from the rear of the hall
Temporary Chairman White, Of California,
was then announced. Senators German, of
Maryland, and Dawson, of South Carolina,
the chair. The California delegation gave
three cheers standing for Chairman White.
His remarks were punctuated with applause,
and cries Of ''Hurrah for California" from
the California delegation. He spoke as fol-
lows:
lul for the distinction Just conferred upon me-
am nevertheless conscious that have been chosen
ior tnis position because Of your appreciation of
tnat Important section Of our common country
whence came. can assure you that those
whom n part represent Will regard with salts
faction the recognition which they have just re-
ceived, not because OF any uncommon ability or
influence Of mine, but for the reason that this IS
the only time in the history OF our national CON
vention on which the Pacife slope has been ac-
corded such an honor.
California was acquired under Democratic rule.
IL became commonwealth under Democratic
auspices IL Is, therefore, fitting that the best Of
tins favor should emanate from an organic alton
whose patriotism and courage gave her 10 the
American Union. and that party should be the
hrst 10 press forward with parental fOndness the
children OF those who knocked, aud did not knock
IN vain, for admission to the privileges Of State
hood.
l congratulate you not merely as Democrats,
but as American citizens ON the encouraging cir
eumstances which attend the Inauguration OF our
proceedings. For the first time for period COW
erlng more than quarter Of a century a Demo
national Ia hal fha Oft
OF government are conducted by Democratic ad-
ministraton. Upto the late Presidential election
the Republican party declared that Democratic
success meant national ruin and that, whatever
might be said OF the crimes and transactions Of
tnose ihen IN authority yet to no other keeping
conhded: This doctrine was repudiated at the
polls and the experience of almost four years has
demonstrated that those assertions and charges
were unwarranted, and that the people were right
In demanding and compelling radical change.
The platform Of principles adopted at our last
national convention prescribed with accuracy
the rules OF conduct which should control govern
mental action. Grover Cleveland was selected by
tnat convention as the man whose firmneSs, abili-
W integrity and statesman like qualities enabled
him to undertake the task Of carrying out the
TO whose tenets he had ever been ready TO yield
compliance. No public servant ever responded 10
the call OF duty more fully or in better faith than
The Republican party while not denying the ne
ceSslty Tor reform has ever failed TO suggest any
remeoy and has universally thwarted the efforts
OF the Democracy 70 afford needed relief. The
present administration has realized the promises
made by the Democratic convention Of 1884. 1t
mas sought 70 reduce taxation and tighten the
burdens Of the people and TO reduce the revenues
so as TO prevent undue accumulation In the treas
ury. IL has at the same time taken the requisite
steps TO foster and protect domestic industries IL
has discouraged the Capitalization Of wealth and
has enabled, so far as circumstances would per-
mt those In the less favored circumstances of life
TO enjoy the benefits Of their exertions In Otner
words the Democratic administration has set its
utmost enaeayors 70 carry out the platform on
which our great reform victory was achieved. II
the tariff has not been modified II Is because Of
Republican obstruction The existence of an
enormous surplus In the treasury threatens the
industry Of the country and is constant source
Of injury to the consumer and men OF moderate
means who find II dificult 10 obtain monetary as
slstance because Of the withdrawal OF a large
portion Of the circulating medium. This unfortu-
nate situation Is directly attributable TO the poll
cy OF the Republican party, whose sun has ever
been TO encourage and enrich m0nopolies and to
ignore the interests OF the masses.
During Republican dominance many millions of
acres of the public domain passed into the hands
OF corporate and foreign syndcates, formed for
the creation OF individuals fortunes. In conform
been enacted preventing the acquisition OF lands |
by those not citizens Of the United States and |
title TO reality In Territories. IL the preceding
Republican administrations had adopted the |
been presented as homes for settlers locating In /
good faith immense tracts OF fertile soil now In Il
the hands Of corporations and foreign spectators.
Universal attention has been directed 10 /
Chinese immigration. The advent Of herds OF /
pagan slaves has rightly been considered de |
structiye 10 the interests OF labor and menace to
the republic. The Democracy unlike its political /
adversary has always been with the people ON the /
issue. This administration has entered into /
treaty with the Chinese empire. which must result /
In excluding the mongrels from our shores. Thus,
after repeated Republican failures, we reach a
successful settlement of the question.
suffice 1t TO say that the reelection of Grover Il
Cleveland Is demanded by the patriotic sentiment |
OF the land. The Republican party is struggling i
bency was due TO the fears and doubts succeed. L
ing the civil conflict. Those forbodings have been
removed by time and thought and honest opln-
ion, In spite Of illegal force openly used, notwlth-
standing criminal efforts In defeating the public
will as expressed at the ballot box, has driven un-
worthy servants from Office and has summoned 10
power an administration to which no stain or sus-
picon has ever been attached. This was done i
when the world doubted whether a free govern |
ment could be maintained here and whether our
citizens were strong enough 10 control the agents
oftheir own selection who defed the power OF |
those from whom their authority proceeded ID Il
was accomplished despite the perpetuatiOn of a Il
crime against the electoral franchise which de /
prived the Democracy Of the fruits of victory and
the whole people of the services of that great /
statesman and true American Samuel j. Tilden.
Unable to renstate themselves on any meritori |
Gus issue these corrupt politicians who see that i
their transgressi0ns have driven them from ONCE
seek restoration to authority by endeavOring 10
reanmate the hurled issue Of q past generation |
But these unseemiy efforts must fall Those who
participated In the struggle not anxious 10 re-
new it. The agttators OF today were In most in /
come up on the scene who. while they glory In /
their fathers heroic deedsyet believe that unEInd
words and exaggerated references to the past are /
not promotive Of present harmony.
The honest. intelligent elector, whose Judgment /
is not warped by prejudice, Is prepared TO again
entrust this government to the Democratic party |
the party that has accomplished so much notwith-
standing the continued opposition of its foes.
There is ample evidence that during the next four
years its policy will be finally accepted.
Just before Chairman White began the
Hendricks Club Of Indianapolis entered the
gallery cheering and waving hats. The
Hendricks banner was suspended from the
gallery next to the Presidents. The cheer
ing on the floor was renewed at this. and the /
band played yankee Doodle" The appear
ance Of Senator German on the platform was |
lcoSTSUED ON FOURTH PAoEl