Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-02-23
DELIBERATING.
The National Democratic Com.
mittee in Session,
Vote to Hold the Pafty's Convention to
Nominate President and Vice
President July 5.
Several Cities Press Claims for Selec
ton But the Committee Fails to
Choose Though Ten Ballots
are Taken

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.
| The national democratic Committee met At
Willard Hall this noon to select the date and
place for holding the next democratic nation
al convention. Ex-senator Raruum of Con-
necticut presided, aud Frederick .. Prince
of Massachusetts acted AS Secretary. There
was u full attendance, the only vacancy be-
ing that caused by the death of Hubert O..
Thompson of New York, This was filled by
the election of William Steinway.
Senator German offered resolution fixing
the date of the convention, July ;. This
was vigorously opposed by Congressman
Scott of Pennsylvania, who WAS present as
proxy for William \. Wallace. He read
long speech depicting the advantage to ac-
crue 10 the party from = convention held as
early as May 22d. Dawson of South Caro-
lima followed IN same vein, expressing the
opinion that the democratic party would be-
little itself by deferring the convention until
it ascertaned how the republican platform
was framed, and who the nominees of that
party were. Another proposition was 10
fix June :, as the date. This as well as the
May date was objected to by German who
declared that in view of the fact that there
were some differences of opinion in the dem
ocIatic party upon the tariff question.t it would
be impoltic TO hold the convention before
the democratic House had an opportunity TO
agree upon u tariff measure which would
bring together dssident opinions, and secure
the united support of the party. When such
n bill had been agreed upon the democrats
could fasten upon the republican Senate the
responsibility for the failure to enact law
revising the existing tariff law and correct
ing its evils. The.florida Senator. favored an
IL, lat. h.,,, hall bon,
advocates of the July date had a clean ma
jority. The opposition combined to secure
the selection of June 3, but July I'd was
agreed upon by vote of Is to 10.
After recess the committee gave hearing
to the representatives of the various cities
contending for the convention.
W W. Fuller of Chicago presented the
claims of that city. Chicago he said offered
an uncqualled July climate; the best hotel
accommodations the largest telegraph and
newspapers aud railroad facilities. Ii had
an auditorium capable of seating capacity
of 5000 and an exposition building with
seating capacity of 10000, which could be
increased To 10000. He then referred TO
the changing political conditions of some
states bordering on Illinois, and declared
that by holding the convention at Chicago,
they would hasten that change, for asl slChicago
went, so went Illinois. lie said that the
present canvass would be u business mems
canvass; that the business men of Chicago
by large majority, IA majority of them re-
publicans, were in favor of the reelection
of the present chief magistrate. applause
For the first time in 80 years the democrats
were going into presidential campaign, with
the prospect, on account of the possession by
Grover Cleveland of the qualities which en-
deared Stephen A. Douglass to Democrats,
of carrying Illinois, the hope of at least
crossing 'thc current roaring loudly on the
footing of spear" If the democratic con
vention were held in Chicago it would have
have a response from the great west next
November that would settle the partys dom
nation in this country forever. Gen. 5,
Hunt spoke for Cincinnati.
Representative Cox urged the claims of
New York. He presented communication
from the business mems committee of that
city. setting forth the accommodations VII ch
could be afforded to the convention in Madi-
son Square Garden,
Mayor Francis of st. Louis, contended
that the convention should be held in the
same city which has been the scene of the
memorable convention of 1876, (which had
broken the long record of republican sue
cesses. (Applause)
Senator Vest of Missouri, seconded the
claims of St. Louis. He said that Chicago
obtained the last democratic convention but
his impre ssion was that Chicago had given
the same brutal republican majority. (Laugh-
ter) He declared that he belonged to the
school of democrats who believed that all the
offices of the country should be filed by
competent and worthy democrats. cloud
and prolonged applause cheers, and cry,
.hurrah for David b. IIill.) An army that
didn't reward its own soldiers would soon
come TO grief. He urged that the conven-
ton be held in democratic city. He depre-
Gated the practice of feeding the republican
cities on democratic sponge cake Laugh
ter.) | thank God, he said in conclusion
that we are in battle array, ready for what is
to come. Our leader has, and will have in
his hand, banner, not dropping uncertainty
and moodily, but floating wide, fair and def
mite, with the principles of the party emblaz-
oned upon it. (Applause.)
| Horatio G. King of Nevada, spoke in favor
| of San Francisco. believing that the demo
cratic party would be greatly benefited
thereby.
Mr. Tarpey of California, subscribed to
every word uttered by Senator Vest lie
believed that if the convention we mt to Sar
| Francisco the response of California would
| be glorious, an overwhelming majority fol
the democratic nominee. He said the citi-
zens of California promised to pay all the
! expenses of the committee, using 'alf il
its most ampifed sense that there would be
carriages lad lib (laughter) that two add
tional telegraph wires would be put up be
tween San francisco and Chicago, which
woul d accommodate all the business offered
! All persons except the members of th'
committee were then excluded and the bal
loting began. The following were the bal
l lots: