The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-15
AMERICANS AS A PARTY.
THEIR FIRST NATIONAL CONVEN-
TON IN SESSION.


Objects of the Organization as Set
Forth in the Gala Row over the
Representation of Each State Caused
by the Large Number From New
York.
WASHINGTON, Aug. l4,-The first ma
tional convention of the American party
began its session in Grand Army hall, on
Pennsylvania avenue, near Fifteenth street,
in this city, at 2:55 o'clock this afternoon.
The call for the convention was issued
July 10 last by Isaac Sharp of Kansas,
chairman, and A. j. Boyer of the District
of Columbia, secretary of the'national COM
mittee, and set forth briefly the objects of
the convention, which include the nomina-
tion of candidates for president and vice
president of the United States. The cardi-
nal principles of the party were epitomized
in the call as follows:
l. Restriction regulation of immigra-
ton.
2. Extension of the time required for
naturalization to fourteen years.
3. Protection of the American free school
system.
4. American land for American settlers
~.
CALLED TO ORDER.
The convention was called to meet at
noon, but it was nearly an hour later when
Chairman Sharpe called the convention to
order The delay was caused by the pro-
tracted session of the caucus, wnIch met at
II o'clock, for the purpose OF discussing and
adopting plan of action for the convention
The caucus was held with closed doors, but
it was learned that no definite action was
taken upon any matters except to limt the
representation to one vote for each state.
The discussion of this question, it is under
stood, was very spirited, and even acrimo-
nious.
NEW YoRK's DELEGATION.
The appearance of seventy-nine delegates
from New York state was taken by some of
the members of the caucus as a menace to
the harmony of the proceedings, it having
been intimated that New York would
insist upon each of her delegates
having vote in the convention,
thus controlling its proceedings. 1t was
insinuated 10y one speaker that the New
York delegation had been subsidized in the
interest of soma person or party, but the
matter was finally settled by the adoption
Of a resolution limiting the representation
as stated above When the convention was
called to order there were about 200 dele
states and territories
THE CHAIRMAN's SPEECH.
On taking the chair Gov. Sharpe, in a
short address, thanked the convention for
the honor of presiding over the first national
convention of the American party
He counseled harmony and united action,
and predicted great results from this begin
ming. At the conclusion Of bis address he
named as temporary chairman Hon. 7. d.
Wigginton of California The announce
ment was received with applause. MIR.
Wigginton was escorted to the chair by two
delegates, carrying an American flag.
AMERICA FOR AMERICANS.
He thanked the convention for the honor
conferred on him, and predicted that the
day was not far distant when it can truth
fully be said that America is for
Americans. This convention, he declared,
would ultimately result in as much good t0
the people of this country as did the first
meeting of the Continental congress, and
tine action taken here would one day attain
the dignity and impor tance OF the second
declaration of independence. He believed
that Americans have the courage and
ability to manage their own affairs, not
withstanding the fact that America is be.
coming the cesspool Of the world.
THE PRAYER.
At the conclusion of his remarks he intro.
duced Rev. l.. III. York of this city, who
offered prayer.
A. J. Boyer was then elected temporary
secretary of the convention.
A motion was here made limiting votes
to one for each congressional district and
two at large from each state represented,
the District of Columbia to have two votes.
Pending action on this proposition, a motion
was made and adopted directing the chair
man to appoint committeen on creden-
tials to consist of seven members.
A recess of fifteen minutes was then
taken to allow the chairman to make proper
selections for this committee.
COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS.
On calling the convention to order after
the recess, the chairman announced as a
committee on credentials: Jerome b. Burke
of the District of Columbia, A. B. Chase of
Illinois, A. ]. Boyer of Maryland, j. W.
Jarboe OF New York, Fl. K. Hintz of Vir-
ginia, DR.. A. r. Leek of Pennsylvania and
c. n Wilson of California.
Each state delegation present was asked
by the chairman to name member of the
national committee at tomorrow mornings
session.
Another recess was then taken. During
the recess a number of American flags and
delegation banners were placed in position
Ou Juo walls. lDo Only JULIET uecOTuUlOD
observed was large basket Of flowers,
which had been placed on the table to the
right of the chairman.
The Marine band was present during both
sessions, and at intervals rendered patriotic
and popular airs.
THE CREDENTIALS REPORT.
1t was nearly o'clock when the commit.
tee on credentials appear cd and the conven-
tion was called to order. The committee
reported that there were 1876 delegates
bearing proper credentials. The report was
adopted.
OF the delegates present sixty-seven were
from New York. fifteen from California,
seven eaca from Illinois and New Jersey,
one eIch from Maryland and Massachusetts,
four from Pennsylvana, three from Vir-
ginia, two each from Maine and Minnesota
and tue District of Columbia, and one each
Mississippi, South Carolina and Vermont.
The members Of the last executive COM
mittee were admitted TO the floor on the
same terms as other delegates
A motion allowing each congressional
district in the states and territories repre-
sented in the convention, one vote and two
at large to be cast by the delegate, was
called up and discussed at length.
OPPOSED BY NEW YORKER.
Lipp Hard. delegate from New York,
opposed the motion. He declared that his
delegation was made up of Americans, and
that they were in favor Of nominating
ticket and fighting for it from the start.
he did not believe in the half-heartedness
that prevented some of those present from