Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-06-05
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7s.D.zI,s TRLEGRAPHIC DISPATCHES.
Democratic National Convention.

1
tional convention began to gather in the
early hours of the morning, although the
gavel of Chairman Barnum, of the national
committee, did not announce it's opening IN
til noon. The trickling stream of humanity
which began to run into the big exposition
building as early as eight O'Clock grew to a
torrent which surged in and filed the great
nave of the hall to OVERLOOKING, and long be
fore noon 10000 human faces gazsd upon
the high desk reserved for the presiding Of
fcer of the convention, with its cleaning
white silver gavel, gift of she Nevada del.
egation.
There is a plan. backed by very in
fuential party leaders, to simply reafitm
the tariff plank of 1884 and omit all refer
ence to the Presidents message. Henry
Watterson, who Is member of the commit.
tee on resolutions, said of the scheme THE
old enemy of revenue reform, in new dis
guise, is on the ground, as treless and sleep
less aud expert as ever in his purpose to con-
fuse democratic oounsels and to play in the
hands of proteotionism. At Chicago the
party was taken by surprise because the
work of packing the platform committee had
proceeded in darkness. TWAS then only par
TALLY successful. 1 hope that at ST. Louis
the rule of 'forwarned ia forearmed' will hold
good, and that the present movement to be-.
tray the party in the interest of protection
will not succeed at ALL"
! The organization of the State delegations
was reported to the convention to day, that
from Virginia being as follows: Chairman,
Eppa Hunton secretary, W. W. Scott res
olutions, P. W. Mckinney; credentials, R..
G. Marshall organization, R. W. Aylett !;
Committeeman. John 8. Barbour.
The convention was called to order at II
O'Clock, and Mr.. White, who was chosen
temporary chairman, delivered a suitable
address, thanking the convention for the
honor conferred upon him. He spoke of
the encouraging circumstances attending
the inauguration of the proceedings, and
eaid it was the first time for over quarter
ola century that the democratic national con
vention was held while the affairs ofgovern-
ment were conducted by democratic ad
minstration. Up to the late Presidential
election the republican party declared that
democratic success meant national ruin, and
that whatever might be said of the crimes
and transactions of those then ia authority,
yet to no other keeping could the welfare Of
the United States be safely confded. 1.-THE
present administration" he said. "had
sought to reduce taxation and tighten the
burdens of the people and to reduce the rev.
enue so as to prevent undue aocumu-
ation in the treasury, and had at the
same time taken the requisite steps to
If the tariff has not been modified it was be
cause of republican obstruction. The exist.
ence ofan enormous surplus In the treasury
threatens the industries of the country, is o
constant source of injury to the consumer
and men Of moderate means who find it diff.
| 6cult to obtain monetary assistance because
of the withdrawal OF large portion of the
circulating medium. This unfortunate sit
of the republican party. whose aim has ever
been to encourage and enrich monopoies
and to ignore the interests of the masses."
10 conclusion, he said THE nominees OF
this convention will be the chosen of tho
people, and If We do our duty the republican
party will henceforward be unable to retard
the progress of our country" He predicted
triumphant victory for the democracy in
the coming contest.
Although Mr.. White had requested, by
way of preface, that during the delivery of
his speech the convention should preserve
silence, he was frequently interrupted by
applause, and once or twice was
compe led to stop until the applause had
died away. He spoke with distlnctness and
could be heard all over the hall. When he
mentioned the name of President Cleveland
tina convention arose to its feet, and with
waving hats and futtering handkerchief
cheered for several seconds. The mention
of the tariff reform was also cheered, and at
the close of his address the speaker was
generously applauded. Cu.ously enough,
the references in the speech to Tilden failed
to arouse any marked enthusiasm, and none
of the New York delegation applauded the
mention of that once inspiring name.
F.O. Prince, of Massachusetts, was chosen
secretary.
The New York delegation at its meeting
this morning voted to request the convep
ton to pass New York when reached for the
call of States for Vice-Pfesident-the desire
being to leave the selection to the other
States, as the State of New York has the
President.
At about half-past one o'clock the convention
adjourned till tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock.
Affairs In France.
PARIS, June 5.-The majority of the