The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-01
THE PLACE AND THE HOUR
The National Democratic Committee
Select the Day OF the COnven-
tion--A Lively Discussion.
Special to the NeUs md Courier.

was evident from the opening of the
proceedings this morning that more
than usual significance would attach
to the action Of the Democratic ma
tional committee.
There were rumors from apparently
authoritative sources that the Presi-
dent desired that the Convention
should meet in May, so that the par
ty could take the offensive at once
and make an aggressive campc;gp.
This view was strengthened by tile
fact that Mr.. w. L. Scott, Of Pennsyl-
vania, at the earliest opportunity, de-
livered carefully prepared speech,
in which the advantages Of an early
opening Of the fight were fully set
forth.
Mr.. Scott proposed May % as the
time for holding the Convention.
Senator Gormap proposed July 3.
Senator Pasco supported this, urging
that if The National Convention met
in May, Florida would be compelled
to have two State conventions, one
to nominate delegates to the Nation
al Convention and the other to nomi.
nate State officers. This, be said.
the Democracy could not afford. Be
sides this, he thought it better to
have q short campaign. to be con
duc:ed with full knowledge of the
plans and the candidate Of the Re-
publicans.
Capt. F. W. Dawson, Of South
Carolina, followed. He argued that
the Democracy Of the South were
never too poor to do what was requir
ed Of them, that the meeting anG ac-
ton of the National Convention,
would have influence in inducing the
Democrats in Congress to come to
an agreement on the tariff question;
that the Democratic party would
have to meet the allegation that it is
free trade party; that much time
was needed to educate the people on
that subject; that the Republicans
were sure to declare themselves in
favor of tariff revision, and that as
the Democratic utterance on the sub.
iect would necessarily be conserva
tive, it must appear to the people to
be Only an echo of the Republican cry;
that the President had won the hearts
of the people by his courage and
true manliness and that it ill.became
the Democratic committee to dance
attendance upon their opponents and
play waiting game.
Senator German, in reply, contend
ed that an agreement would be reach
ed by the Democrats in Congress,
but not so early as May; that there
was no possibility of the Democratic
and Republican platforms being alike
in any particular; that it was better to
to'low the recent precedents and
have a late Convention, and that
long campaign would not be required.
The vote being taken, July 3 re-
ceived the lnajority Of votes, and that
day was chosen.
1t can hardly be said that this re-
suit is evidence Of opposition to the
Administration. The Pacific States
and Territories generally, rs we'll as
some of the friends Of Chicago, voted
for the later day, because they
thought it would weaken the chances
for st. Louis. when the choice Of the
place for the Convention came to be
made. It is noticeable, however, that
Senators German and Barbour. who
are not in sympathy with the Presi-
dents civil service principles and
practice, voted for the later day.
Ats subsequent stage Of the pro-
ceedings when Senator Vest, Of Mis-
sissippi, in advocating St. Louis said
that he was an old-fashioned Demo
crat who believed that every public
Office in the land should be filed by
an honest and capable Democrat, the
applause by the audience and by
some of the members Of the commit
tee was both uproarious and long
continued.
Mr.. Walsh, of Georgia, it may be
mentioned, voted for holding the
Convention on July 3.
lie claims and advantages of the
several cities were laid before the
committee very handsomely by Mr..
Fuller for Chicago. Mayor Frances
and Senator Vest for st. Louis. Gen.
Horstio C. King, Of New York, and
Committeeman Tarpey and Congress
man $. S. Cox for New York.
The committee then went again
into secret session, and the balloting
began. The vote was: San Francis
co Ii. St. Louis II, Chicago IL, New
York 2 and Cincinnati l. There was
but little variation on the eleventh
ballot. The vote was: San Francis
co II, St. Louis II, Chicago 10. Gin
cinnsti l.
There were some curious features
in the ballo'ing. The eight Terrific
rics voted solidly for San Francisco,
together with the Pacific States, and
With them VT: Kelly Of Minnesota,
Walsh of Georgia, German Of Mary
land, and Barbour of Virginia. 1t
was queer and almost ineSpllcaoIe
combination.
St. Louis was supported by most
Of the Southern and Southwestern
states and by Massachusetts,, while
the Northwestern states. excepting
Minnesota, as we'll as Chairman Bar
nun of Connecticut. Scott of Pennsyl.
vania. Clifford Of Marion, SempIe OF
Alabama. and Grubb OF Delaware
voted for Chicago.
The San Francisco people say that
by having the National Convention