The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-02-23
SETTLED UPON A DATE,
THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION TO
ASSEMBLE JULY 3.

a Hearing Given to the Representa-
tives of the Cities Contending for the
Eonor of Securing the Convention
The Claims of Chicago, Cincinnati,
New York, st. Louis and San Fran
cisco Energetically Urged Ten
Ballots and No Choice.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.-The National
Democratic Committee met in Wizards
Hall, in this city, at noon to-day, for the
purpose of selecting the time and place for
the holding of the next Democratic conveu-
ton. Ex-senator William H. Barnum pre-
sided and f. O.. Prince acted as Secretary.
There was full attendance of delegates,
the only vacancy being in tho membership
from the State of New York.
After brief discussion William Steinway
was elected to fill the vacancy.
After the organization had boen COM
pleted the chairman stated that tho first
business i'll order was the selection of a date
for holding the National Democratic Con-
vention.
Senator German offered a resolution fix
ing the date at July next.
This was vigorously opposed by Con-
gresham Scott, of Pennsylvania who was
present as proxy for William A. Wallace
He read long written speech depicting the
advantages which he believed would accrue
to the Democratic party from convention
held as early as May %. He said that when
the Democratic party was in power before
the war it had been its practice to hold
conventions early IN the year. In the pres
ent case he declared that the campaign
could be made moro vigorous and aggres-
sive by the selection OF an early date, and
the distinct and early enunciation to the
American people of the principles which
would be wrought into the Democratic plat
form.
MIR. Dawson, of South Carolina, followed
in the same vein, expressing the opinion
that the Democratic party would belittle
itself by deferring its convention until it
had first asoertained how the Republican
platform was framed and who were the
nominees Of that party.
ANOTHER PROPOSITION.
Another proposition was made at this
juncture to fix June as the date for hold
ing the convention, but this, as well as tho
early date suggested by Mr.. Scott was
objected to by Senator German, who declared
that in Wow of the fact that there were
some differences of opinion in the Demo-
cratic party upon the tariff question il
before the Democratic House of Representa-
tives had had an opportunity to agree upon
a tariff measure which would bring togeth-
er all dissentient opinions, and secure the
united support of the party. When such a
bill had been agreed upon the democrats
could fasten upon the Republican Senate
the responsibility for failure to enact a
law revising the existing tariff law and cor
recting its evils.
Senator Pasco, of Florida, briefly ex-
pressed himself as being in favor of an early
date.
BALLoTING FOR THE DATE.
The ballot was then taken upon the three
propositions, which disclosed the fact that
the advocates of the July date had clear
ma jority over the adherents to the MAY and
June dates. The latter then combined their
forces to secure the selection of June 5, but
the committee. by vote of 2S to 49, agreed
that the convention should be held on July
3, next.
A short recess was then taken.
When the committee re-assembled, on
motion of Mr.. Dawson, of South Carolina,
the representatives of the press and the per-
sonal friends of members of the committee
were admitted to the session.
The committee then gave hearing to
the representatives of the various cities
which are contending for the honor of
being given to w. W. Fuller, of Chicago,
who presented the reasons why that city
should be selected.
Mr.. Fuller congratulated the committee
on the changed condition 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 holding Of the Democratic
convention. Then twenty-four years of
exclusion from power had imbued the
Democratic party with that feeling of
timidity which characterized the minority
party and which kept it such. Then that
great leader who had influenced tho party
by his force Of will and his wonderful
power of organization, no longer led the
forces which he had SO long
commanded. Then the Republican party
was indulging in the arrogant assumption
that one-half of the American people were
unfit for public Office. But the election Of
1884 had changed all that. Honesty, sim
plicity, the courage Of the leader which the
last convention had selected had carried
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 the astuteness, knowledge and good
sense rather than through the fiery eiler
vescence of pyrotechnical display. Zap
plause.) It was q matter Of consideration
whether the committee should tempt
change of luck by change of place Chi
cago offered an unequalled July climate, the
amplest hotel accommodations, and the
largest telegraph, newspaper and
railroad facilities. 1t had an au-
ditorium with a seating capacity of
s, 1000, and an exposition building with a
seating capacity of 10000, which could be
increased to 10000 He then referred TO
what he regarded as changing the political
conditions of some of the States bordering
upon Illinois, and he declared that the hold
ing of the convention in Chicago would
have an effect in Fastening that change, and
he alluded to the reduced Republican ma
jority in the Eighteenth Congressional dis
trict of Michigan as tending to show that
that State might find place in the Demo
cratic column. AS Chicago went so went
Illinois. The coming canvass would be a
business mems canvass, and tho business
men of Chicago by large majority
(and majority Of them Republi-
cans were In favor of the reelection
Of the present chief magistrate of this
country. [Applause.l For the first time
in thirty-two years the Democratic party
was going into the Presidential campaign
with the prospect ION account OF the pos
session by Grover Cleveland Of qualities
which had endeared Stephen A. Douglass
10 the Democracy) OF carrying Illinois.
The convictions and the courage Of
those convictions, OF the President
had given the Democracy Of Illinois