Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-05-18
THE STATE.
STATE DEMOCRATS
Choose Delegates TO the National
Convention.

prayer by Rev. DIR. Campbell Fair of Grand
Rapids Gen, l.. G. Rutherford was called TO
the chair He was afterward named as
permanent chairman OF the convention, and
Peter Rush was chosen permanent secre-
tary. The committee on resolutions pre-
scented the following, which was adopted:
The democratic citizens Of Michigan, by
their delegates in state convention at Grand
Rapids assembled, acting with all voters in
accord with the national administration, in
its efforts 10 reduce taxation TO the legiti-
mate wants Of the government, economical
~ administered, do declare:
!. We believe, now AS always, in that
bed rock principle Of all democratic gov
eminent, that all national and state legis-
lation should secure the greatest good 10
the greatest number OF the people
,. We believe that the habitual disregard
of this principle, in the legislation OF the
republican party for the quarter of centu-
ry during which an inscrutable Providence
suffered that party 10 interrupt the cont
nuity OF democratic administrations is the
prolific mother of business decentralization
and Of the burdens laid on labor, discon-
tented because buried beneath unjust class
legislation.
3. We believe that this system of class
legislation cannot long be continued; that
the living question Of the hour is, whether
il shall be gradually and wisely changed,
or whether il shall be continued until il be-
comes a burden too grievous To be borne.
4. We believe in that principle of civil
service which requires the citizen filling
any post Of public duty TO give his time and
ability TO the honest and conscientious dis
charge of that duty We also believe that
he can best do this when in sympathy with
the principles held and the ends sought 10
be attained by the administration entrusted
with the executive duties Of government
B. We believe in strict construction of
the Constitution, without the assumption of
implied powers, not delegated TO the United
States, but reserved to the states respective
~, or TO the people.
d. We seek by national legislation among
other these ends:
CA. Gradual but certain reduction of
the tax upon imports in the direction Of "A
revenue basis; 10 the end that grevious
burdens shall be removed from the laboring
masses and an accommodating and corruptiug
surplus In the treasury be diminished 20 the
lowest point consistent with the mainte-
nance of the national faith and credit
We declare ourselves in the fullest sym
pathy with the letter and spirit of the Presi-
dents message upon this subject
1t is manly state paper altogether in
the interest of the labOring taxpayer: in
stinct with the wise rightly OF will of "Old
Hickory and, by the eternal .'' il has pure
justice and holy truth for its inspiration.
81. Such legislation as shall further
save for the citizen and the settler the pub
lie domain, and wrest from corporate and
theirs. That all unearned land grants TO
corporations be restored 10 the government
as speedily as possible, for the use and benc-
tit Of actual settlers
CO... just and liberal pensions laws. care
fully guarded from the inroads of those not
entitled 20 the bounty Of the government:
and the democratic party reuews its pledge
Of gratitude and indebtedness 10 those who
so nobly risked their lives for the preserva-
ton of the Union We proudly approve OF
the conduct OF the pension department by
the present administration under the gal
liant soldier, John G.. Blake. as the best and
purest since the war, and we condemn in
the strongest terms, the recent ISLANDERS OF
the memories or the dead patriots who gave
their lives and best $, vices tOtheir country
That the pernicious system Of imported
contract labor, inauguratcd by the republi-
can party, is detrimental 10 the interests of
the working classes of this country. and
has been productive Of discord and confu-
sion in the past and is dcrOgatOry TO the
genius Of American liberty: and while ex-
tending hearty democratic welcome 10
honest labor seeking a home among US. we
deprecate the policy which has iuaugurated
such system, and demand lis entire sup
preston
No radical reduction of the internal
revenue from whisky and tobacco until the
burdens upon the necessarics of life shall
have been largely removed from the tax
payer and his family.
A distinct and manly recognition # the
effort of all nations for freer government
and home rule
That we appreciate the honor conferred
upon Michigan by the wise appointment 10
the national cabinet of our able and distin-
guished fellow citizen, Hon Don. NJ Dick
inson
That in Grover Cleveland we have found
a fearless, honest and able leader:
a man with ability to form con
victions and moral courage 10 assert
and enforce them; true expo
nent Of democratic principles, and safe
man TO execute the laws governing free
and independent people. We therefore
join in the spontaneous and universal
demand for his denomination and re-elec
ton.
The laboriug man. bearing ir his hand an
Indispensable contribution 10 our growth
and progress, may well insist, with manly
courage, as "a right, upon the same recogni-
ton from those who make our laws as is
accorded 20 any other citizen having "A val
liable interest in charge; and his reason
able demands should be met in such spirit
of appreciation and fairness as 10 induce
contented and patriotic cooperation in the
achievement of a grand national destiny.
l. NJ. Weston, G.. l.. Yaple, M. III Chamber
lain and II. White were chosen delegates at
large. and l.. G.. Rutherford X. A Mont
gomery, f. a. Dean and l.. G.. Holden
alternates. The following district dele
gates were chosen: First district-Judge
Edward Haug Of Wayne Rufus w. Gil
lett Of Wayne; alternates. F. II.
ST Aubn OF Wayne, j. w. Flynn
of Wayne Second-Lester RI. SAILS
bury, Lenawee; Charles X. Whitman,
Washtenaw; alternates, G.. +. Cook. j. NJ
Stirling. Third-Col. y. Richards, Jack
son; Gen. John G.. Parkhurst. Branch
alternates. Il. j Frost a, B. Baugham
Fourth-Harvey c. Sherwood. Berrien
VIM. G.. Howard, Kalamazoo; alternates,
Frank w. Isle, Lester w. Tabor. Fifth
Thomas Savage Ottawa; Thomas McGary,
Ionia; alternates. Joseph Houseman, r.. G..
Knapp. SIXTH. Il. Winans. Livingston;
Byron G.. Stout, Oakland; alternates,
Joseph Bugbcc and VIM. NJ Stephens.
Seventh-Fred w. Hubbard Huron Alex
Mcclellan Lapcer, alternates, a. VI. Clark
and Abram Smith. Eight-Froman Esty,
Isabella; j. :. Crosby, Mountcalm: alter
mates. jerome Turner and Macon Anderson.
Ninth-Wm. T. Nisbet, Mecosta a. V.
Mann, Muskegou; alternatcs. George
Goodscl. Fred Nelson Tenth Joseph
Turner. Bay; j. Maurice Finn, Crawford;
alternates, Judge W. II. Simpson and G..
w. Perry. Eleventh-A j. Scott. Hough-
ton; r. c. Flanagan Mcnominee; alter
mates, Charles II. Parker and James Gal
laghcr.