The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-02-28

I
radical departure from tmehonored pre-
! cedCnts awakcs bitter opposition, bUt there
! have been a number OF influential converts e
| the open session movement since the late
| action on the British eXtraditon treaty and
senators who have never before favored the
movement now openly declare that they can
no longer endure the present conditions, and
predict that secret sessions, except where an
affirmative reason exists for secrecy, will not
last three months longer
Mr.. j. ID. Taylor, of Ohio, introduced bill
to change the common law of marriage to the
customs of modern civilization by the enamel
patton of married women in the District Of
Columbia and territories. Referred.
III GOES TO ST. LOUIS.
WAsHISGTON, February 22.-The national
democ ratio committee met in Wizards hotel,
this city, at noon today, for the purpose of
selecting time and place for the holding of
the next democratic convention Ex-senator
William ii. Barnum presided and #. o..
Prince acted as secretary. There was full
attendance of delegates. Senator German
offered Il resolution
FIXING THE DATE AT JULY 81, NEXT.
This was vigorously opposed by Congressman
Scott, Of Pennsylvania, who was present as
proxy for William A. Wallace. He read
long written speech, depicting advantages
which he believed would accrue to the demo-
cratic party from convention held as early as
May odd. lie said when the democratic
party was in power, before the war, it had
been the practice TO hold conventions early in
the year. In the present case he declared that
the campaign could be made more vigorous
and aggressive by the selection Of All early
date, and a distinct and carly enunciation to
the American people Of tho principles which
would be brought out in the democratic plat
form.
Mr.. Dawson, of South Carolina, followed in
the same vein, expressing the opinion that the
democratic party would belittle itself by defer
ring its convention until it had first ascer-
tanned how the republican platform was
framed and who were the nominees of that
party.
Another proposition was made at this juno
ture to fix the date for holding the convention
June 9th but ths,as well as the early date sug-
gested by Mr.. Scott was objected to by Sena-
tor German, who declared that owing to the
fact that there were some differences of opin-
ion in the democratic party on the tariff ques-
ton it would be impoitic 10 hold the conyen-
ton before the democratic house of represent
atiyes had an opportunity to agree upon the
tariff, which would bring together all dissent
ing opinion and secure the united support of
the party. When such n bill had been agreed
upon the democrats could fasten upon the
publican senate the responsibility for the fail
ure to enact a law revising the existing tariff
law and correcting its evils.
A ballot was then taken on the three PROPOSE.
tions which disclosed the fact that the advocates
of the July date had clear majority over tho
adherents TO the May and June dates. The
latter then combined their forces to secure the
selection of June 9TH but the committee, by q
vote of 2S to 49, agreed that the convention
should be held on July Sd, next. A short re-
cess was then taken.
The committee gave a hearing to represen-
tatives of the various cities which are con-
tending for the honor OF securing tho conven-
ton. The first audience being given to w.
w. Fuller, of Chicago, who presented the rea-
sons why that city should he selected
Mr.. Fuller congratulated the committee ON
the changed conditions of political affairs since
he had the honor, four years ago, to present
the desire of the citizens OF Chicago that the
committee should select that city for the hold
ing of tho democratic convention. Then
twenty-four years Of exclusion from power had
imbucd the democratic party with that feeling
OF timidity which charactcrzes minority
party and which kept it such. Then that great
leader who had influenced the party by his
force OF will and his wonderful power of Or
ganization. no longer led the forces which he
had so long commanded. Then the republican
party was indnlging in the Yyrogant assump-
tion TINT oue-half of the American people
were unfit for public Office But the election
Of 1884 had changed all that. Honesty, sim
pHoity, the courage of tho leader which the
last convention had selected had carried the
democratic party to victory, and now three
years OF democratic administration saw pros
perity in the country, honesty in every depart
ment and success in diplomacy, through
astuteness, knowledge and good sense, rather
than through tie fiery etervcSccncc of q
pyrotechncal display. Applause lie then r.
ferred to what he regared as the changing polit
ical conditions of some of the states bordering
upon Illinois, and he declared that the hold
ing the convention nChieago would have an
effect in fastening that change, and he alluded
TO the reduced republican majority in 1883 in
congressional district Of Michigan rs tending
to show that that state might find place in
the democratic column. As Chicago went, so
went Illinois, The coming canvass would be
business mems canvass and the business men
of chicago, by large majority (and MAORI
~ oi them r1publicanS), were in favor of the
reelection OF the present chief magistrate of
this country. Applause.
For the first time in thirty-two years the
democratic party was going into a presidential
campaign with tho prospect, on account of the
possession 10y Grover Cleveland Of the quail
ties which had endeaIed Stephen A, Douglas
to the democracy, OF carrying Illinois. The
convictions, and the courage of these Convic-
tionS, of the president, had given the democ-
racy of Illinois n hope of at last crossing the
current roaring loud on unsteady footing of
spear If the democratic party gave the con-
Ventlon to Chicago II would have n response
from the great west next November that would
settle party domination i'll this country for
ever. Applause
General Hunt presented the claims Of Cinoin
natl, duty which had been assigned to Speaker
Carlisle. He regretted the enforced absence
of that gentleman, who he said, had been
summoned TO the bedside Of his sick son in
Kansas.
Representative :. ;. Cox, OF New York,
then Went TO the platform to present the claims
Of the metropolitan city, and was greeted with
loud applause and cheers lie thanked the
committee for the kind reception given New
York in his own person. That city he said,
presented, through her business, its political
organizations, and all associations which be
longcd to that democratic stronghold, its earn
est request fer the meeting of the democratic
convention NJ that place All roads led to
New York as an industrial, commercial and
imperial emporium, for the democracy of New
York was an imperial democracy. lie did not
say New York surpassed her sisters in sur
burban comfort and sea breezeS but she was
the peer of other cities. not excepting Constan-
unople itself. Laughter,
Mayor Francis, of st. Louis contended that
the convention should be held in the same city
which had been the scene of tho memorable
convention Of 1876, which had broken the long
record Of republican successes. Applause
lie asked that the convention should he held
in that city, ON the banks Of the MissisSippi
which within three short months had rendered
10 the national leader OF the democratic party
such an ovation rs had never been surpassed
III any country.
Senator Vest, Of Missouri. in secondinr the
claims Of st Louis, said If there was ANYTHING
in location which would enable the democratic