The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-23
Details Of the Proceedings.
To the Western Associated Press.


WASHINGTON, Feb 22--The national Demo-
cratic committee met at Wizards Hall. in this
city, at to-day. for the purpose of selecting
date and place for holding the next Democratic
convention to nominate candidates for Presi-
dent and president Ex-senator w. Fl.
Barnum, of Connecticut, presided over the
committee, and F. o. Prince, of Massachusetts,
acted as secretary. There was a full attend
ance of delegates. the only vacancy being
caused by the death of Hubert o. Thompson. of
New York. This vacancy promptly filed
by the election of VIM. Steinway.
After the organization had been completed
the chairman stated that the first business in
order the selection of the date for holding
the national Democratic convention. Senator
German offered a resolution fixing the date at
July 3 Lext. This was vigorously opposed by
Congressman Scott. of Pennsylv ania. who
present proxy for VIM. A. Wallace. He read
a long written speech depicting tho advantages
which he believed would accrue to the Demo-
cratic party from convention held as early as
May % He said that when the Democratic
party IN power, before the war. it had been
it's practice TO hold conventions early in the
year. He declared that the campaign could be
made more vigorous and aggressive by the
lection OF an early date. and the distinct and
early enunc,ation to the American people of the
principles which would be wrought into the
Democratic platform
MIR. Dawson, of South Carolina followed in
the same vein, expressing the opinion that the
Democratic party would belitte itself by de-
ferring 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 iuncture
to fix June as the date for holding the conyen-
ton. but this, well the early date suggest
ed by Mr. Scott, was objected to by Senator
German. who declared that in view of the fact
that there were some differences of opinion in
the Democratic party upon the tariff question,
1t would be impolitic to hold the convention be-
fore the Democratic House of Representatives
had had an opportunity to agree upon a tariff
measure which would bring together all dissent
ing opinions and secure the united support of
the party. When such q bill had been agreed
upon the Democrats could fasten upon the Re-
publican Senate the responsibility for failure to
enact q law revising the existing tariff law and
correcting its evils.
Senator Pasco. of Florida, briefly expressed
himself as in favor OF an early date.
ballot was then taken upon the three
propositions, which disclosed the fact that the
advocates of the Jnly date had q clear majority
over the adherents to the May and June dates.
The latter then combined their forces to secure
the selection of June 5, but the mpaittee by
vote of % to 10. agreed that the convention
should be held on July 3 next A short recess
was then taken.
When the committee reassemb led, on motion
OF Mr.. Dawson, of South Carolina. the repre-
sentatives of the press and the personal friends
of the members of the committee were admitted
TO the session. The committee then gave q hear
ing to the representatives of the various cities
which are contendine for the honor of securing
the convention, the first audience being given to
NJ. W. Fuller. of Chicago, who presented the
reasons why that city should be selected. He
con graduated the committee 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 holding
the Democratic convention Then, twenty-four
years of exclusion from power had imbued the
Democratic party with that feeling of tmdty
which characterized a minority party and which
kept it such: then that great leader who had in
fuenced the party by his force Of will and his
power of organization no longer led
the forces which he had so long commanded;
arrogant assumption that one half of the Ameri-
can people were unfit for public Office. Rut the
election of 1884 had changed all that. The hon.
esty. the simplicity, the courage of the leader
which the last convention had selected had
ried the Democratic party TO victory, and now
three years OF Democratic administration
saw prosperity in the country, honesty
in every department and success in diplomacy,
through astuteness. knowledge and good sense
rather than through the fiery effcrvescence of
pyrotechnical display. It was a matter Of
81 deration whether the committee should tempt
a change of luck by change of place. Chicago
offered an unequaed July climate, the amplest
hotel accom- violations and the largest telegraph.
newspaper and railroad facilities 1t had an
auditorium with seating capacity of 5000 and
an exposition building with seating capacity
of 10000, which could be increased to 20 000
He then referred 70 What hs regarded as the
changing political conditions of some OF the
that the holding of the convention in Chicago
would have effect In Fastening that chshge
and alluded TO the reduced Repubiican majority