The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-06-09
ST. LOUIS.
THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
Cleveland and Thurman Nominated-Th
Platform a StraddIe on the Tariff CUES

ST, LOUIS, June 1.-The Democratic
National Convention began to gather in
the early hours of the morning although
the gavel of Chairman Barnum, of the
national COMMITTEES, did not announce its
opening until some time after noon. The
trickling stream of humanity which be-
gan to run into the big Exposition build
ing as early as eight O'Clock increased to
a torrent, which surged in and filled the
great nave to OVERLOOKING, aud long before
noon $1,000 human faces gazed upon the
high desk reserved for the presiding
officer of the convention. The noble
proportions of the hall strike one at once
with admiration. 1t is oblong in shape,
relieved upon either side by balconies,
reaching back 200 feet, above which,
stretching entirely around the audi
forum, is broad, overhanging gallery.
An ample stage reaches from the rear of
the chairman's platform fifty feet to the
great east wall of the hall, and accommo-
dates 440 of the gathered leaders and
fathers of the national Democracy. who
thus are enabled to overlook the officers,
delegates, and spectators. The decora-
tious are simple, but effective. The stage
is hung with red. white and blue bunting,
greens. Upon a pedestal on the right of
the entrance of the stage stands bust
of the P esident and standing upon the
face of the gallery and above the stage,
heavily framed in gilt. is large portrait
of the President in oil. On either side
are similar portraits of Cleveland, Han,
cock, Tlden, Hendricks and Ex-Governor
Marmaduke, of Missouri. The balcony
and gallery pillars and the face of the
long winding galleries and the front of
the balconies are profusely decorated
with American flags in alternate long
and short festoons, caught up with large
red, white and blue rosettes. The first
days proceedings of the Democratic
National Convention we're brief and uDin-
teresting. At twenty-five minutes of one
the vast assemblage was silenced by a
stroke from the gavel of Chairman
Barnum, and the convention was formally
in session. After prayer by the Rev.
Bishop CRANBERRY, of st. Louis, S. NJ.
White. of California, was selected as
temporary chairman, who made a long
speech principally laudatory of President
Cleveland. Senator German, of Mary
land, presented resolution providing
that the roll of states be called, the fol-
loving being the Maryland assignments
for committees: Chairman, Albert Rit.
chic; secretary, N. Charles Burke; resolu-
tions, A. P. German; credentials, W. L.
Biedler; organization, James B. Brown;
committeeman. not chosen.
At two o'clock the convention ad-
journed until Wednesday morning. The
only interesting feature of the first days
session was the fight in the committee of
resolutions over the tariff plank. Monday
morning Senator German and Congress
man Scott had reached an understanding
concerning the tariff plank. They had
arranged to reaffirm the tariff clause of
1884, aud to add moderate endorsement
of the Presidents tariff message, with
long paragraph explanatory of the Demo
cratic party's position on the tariff. Scott
had also consented to let German have
the honor of the craftsmanship of the
Platform Committee. Congressman Scott
yielded to this compromise in behalf of
harmony, and through desire to bring
all disatfected elements of the party into
full sympathy with the administration.
But to dav the truce was declared off.
German, B irnum aud their high tariff
sympashizers we're more active in visiting
the influential men of the various delega-
tons than was relished by Scott. There
were signs that the high tariff men were
preparing to steal a march on the other
wings of the party. Scott was particu-
larly incensed at the selection of ex
Mayor Cooper, strong protectionist, as
the New York representative on the
committe. From the other side Scott
was subjected to great pressure, Commits
sioner Morrison aud Hesry Watterson
calling on him and insisting that no COM
promise, however small the concession
involved, should be made. The agreement
between Scott and German was finally
declared off, and Watterson, who had
been chosen for the permanent chairman
ship, was chosen.
WEDNESDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
ST. LOUIS, June 6.-Senator German
has turned his apparent defeat of last
night into victory by carrying both the
subcommittee and committee on resolu-
tions.
In the subcommittee of II Germans
tariff policy was adopted by vote of 6
to 5.
After long debate it was decided to
re-adopt the platform of 1884.
AS the Watterson party had SO per-
sistensly opposed this, Mr.. German, as
he Informed your correspondent last
night, was willing to compromise upon a
resolution based upon the Presidents
tariff message, and declaring for reduc
ton of taxation in a manner to cheaper
necessaries of life rather than luxuries,
and ad just it so as to meet the needs OF
the government economically admins,
tered; also declaring the surplus to be a
constant menace to the country's pros
perity. But as Wasterson and his fol-
lowers would not accept this, it was de.
termined to fall back upon the original
proposition and take the platform of
1854.
The convention assembled slowly this
morning, owing probably to the pro-
tracted meeting of the platform commit
tee last night and its further conference
at 8 o'clock this morning. The ladies
were the first to get into the building,
and were comfort ably settled in the boxes
and balconies before half thousand
could be seeu in the auditorium. There
" as picturesque tiutter of fans all over
the hall, pages having thoughtfully dis
tributed them in every seat.
APPLAUSE FOR THURMAN.
The first applause of the morning was
evoked by che appearance of Thurman
bandanna, placed upon the banner pole
of the Wisconsin delegation.
At 1922 the convention was called to
order by the temporary chairman.
CLEVELAND AND TARIFF REFORM.
Mr.. Mallory, of Florida, offered the
following resolution, which was referred
to the committee ON resolutions:
ResolDed, That this convention hereby
approves and endorses the principles of
the tariff reform enunciated by President
Cleveland in his first message to The
present Congress, and to the policy re-
commended by him for the practical ap-
plication of those principles to the ad-
ministration OF the government we give
our unqualified and universal support.
The mention OF Cleveland's name was
the signal for round of applause, which
again broke out as the reading of the
resolution vas completed.
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.
Mr.. White then handed his yavel to