Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-04-26
The Political Arena.
Pennsylvania Republican Conven-
 tion at Harrisburg.
THE PLATFORM ADOPTED.

Jl0n at HarrlSDufg.
 THE PLATFORM ADOPTED. It Opposes Free Trade, and Strongly Criti-
 cises the Wool Clause in the Mills Tariff
 BiIl = James T.. Mitchell for Supreme
 Judge-Massaehuse Republicans. HARRISBURG, Pa., April 26-No business of great importance was transacted at the Republican state convention here yesterday until after recess, when the committee on permanent organization reported, favoring Gen. Jacob M. Campbell. of Clarion, for per manent chairman. The report was adopted and Gen. Campbell was escorted to the chair and made few remarks
 The next business in order was the nomi- nation of candidates for supreme judge. Auditor General A. Wilson Norris named James T. Mitchell, of Philadelphia. The names of Isaac G. Gordon, the present chief justice, Wilbur F. Sadler, of Cumberland, and E. l.. Stowe, of Allegheny, were also placed in nomination, after which balloting commenced. MT. Mitchell was nominated on the fourth ballot he receiving 107 votes.
 Lewis F. Pugh, of Lackawanna, and Thomas Dolan, of Philadelphia, were elected electors at large
 United States Senator Quay, Maj. Gen. Hastings, w. R. Leeds and Henry F. Oliver were elected delegates at large to Chicago
 Following is the platform adopted:
 "The Republican party of nnsylvania, in convention assembled, makes the following declaration of principles:
 s'First-We assert that the simple proposi- tion that free right to vote according to law and to have the vote counted is the foundation of American representative gov ernment. Representation in congress and in the electoral college is apportioned on the basis of population, and a large portion of that population in certain sections is notori- ously excluded from the exercise of the suffrage A narrow majority of the house of representatives is thus maintained, which threatens to ena ct radical legislation hostile to the interests of our country. Such govern ment is no longer free, but tyrannical. With due consideration for the difficulties of the situation, we demand of congress that it enact such legislation as shall secure fair election for members of congress and the electoral college
 "Second-We declare that the object of the American system of tariff legislation, be- sides securing revenue, is the protection of American industry. The wonderful prosper ity ot this country is the best evidence of the success of this policy, and the most conserva- tive care should be taken in disturbing many industrial interests which have grown up under this system The principle of all Amer ican legislation is to secure the happiness, the elevation, prosperity and independence of each individual American citizen, and this principle is best maintained by protective tariff, which has for it's object the elevation and fair compensation of American labor. The last message of President Cleveland is an open assault upon industries, which will, if unresisted, result in a policy of free trade, which, ill the near future, will paralyZe or destroy those industries, reduce the compen- sation of labor, and inpoverish the nation.
 ''Third-Inasmuch as we have large debt unpaid, harbors unimproved, Notifications in decay, inadequate public buildings for the purposes of the government, and a navy in- capable of commanding the respect due the dignity of great nation, the Democratic ad- ministration is responsible for allowing the accumulation of large surplus in the United States treasury which should have been ap- propriated for these purposes. Excessive revenue can and should be prevented by the reduction or repeal of internal taxes. i "Fourth-It is the duty of congress to pass, | and of the president to approve, wise, just, l and comprehensive pension bill, giving relief l to disabled veteran soldiers and subsistence to the helpless widows and orphans of deceased | SOlQ1GfS, f0Sdid OO Uuo UlIll0 WuOu u1S- | ability was incurred, or the cause of death. Our great and prosperous country can well | afford to show our grateful appreciation by making liberal provision for these purposes ''Fifth-The people of Pennsylvania un- 1 qua]ifedly condemn the refusal of the Demo cratic majority of the house of representa- tives to permit the passage of the direct tax refunding bill passed by the Republican sen- ate, by which it was intended to repay tc loyal states, without interest, the money paid by them at the beginning of the war to aid | in suppressing the rebellion, and to cancel the unpaid balance, principal and interest due from the rebel states upon said taxes | and we denounce as treacherous and cowardly | the surrender of the Aorthern Democrats in | congress to the small majority of the ex-Con- l federates and their allies and the abandon. | ment of the bill, which, if passed, would have contributed over $1 900 to the relief ot the taxpayers of Pennsylvania.
 ''Sixth-We, as party, as rapidly as prac ticable enacted legislation looking to a pure business administration of the government and system of civil service, in deference tc a strong recognized public sentiment against the abuses of the spells system. A Demo
 cratic president was elected largely on the
 issue of civil service reform, upon pledge:
 which guaranteed an immediate remedy o1
 existing abuses These pledges have beer
 notoriously violated; removals from office
 have been made without cause, in a more
 sweeping manner than at any other time il ; the history of American political parties ant
 federal patronage has been boldly and con , stantly used for partisan purposes.
 ''Seventh-We recognize the strength O. sentiment in this commonwealth relative t, the evils and abuses of the sale of liquor. ant
 we favor all laws looking in this respect t, the elevation of the moral condition of tn, people. We, therefore, repeat our pledge t, submit the question of prohibition to a vot of the people.
 sEighth-We indorse the high personal in tegrity, lofty aims, executive ability an,
 faithful enforcemeAt of the laws by Gov
 ernor Beaver, which have won the praise o r all good citizens.
 f "Ninth-We protest against the attempt o 7 the Democratic party to strike down tn 3 wool growing industry by placing it's produc , on the free list, as provided in the Mills bill l Conservative estimates by leading woo r growers and manufacturers place the mum l Der of persons dependent for their suppor upon wool growing at several millions; tn s number of acres dependent for their valu