The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-06-07

the proceedings with prayer. He rendered
devout thanks for the many benefits which
this country had received from the hands
or Providence; prayed for a continuance
OF those bounties, and called down the
divine blessing upon the president and
all others in authority.
The chair then stated that, acting under
the authority conferred upon him by the
national democratic committee he would
present to the convention the names of
the persons selected by the committee to
preside over the temporary organization
of the convention.
As the secretary read the name of s.
M. White, of California, as Temporary
chairman, the convention greeted
1T with cheers, as it also
greeted the name of f. o. Prince, of
Massachusetts,, as secretary.
The reading of the list of officers having
been concluded, the choice of the com
mittee was ratified by the unanimous vote
of the convention.
The chair appoin' ed A. P. German, of
Maryland, G. S. Brice, of Ohio, and +. w.
Dawson, of South Carolina, as a commit
tee to condnct Mr.. White to the platform.
Mr.. White said: Gentlemen or the
the convention am profoundly grate-
| fui for the distinction conferred upon me.
am conscious have been chosen for this
because of your appreciation of that i'm
portant section of our common country
from whence it comes. l can assure you
that those whom in part represent, will
| regard, with satisfaction, the recognition
which they have just received, not because
of any uncommon ability or influence OF
mine, but for the reason that this is the
first time in the history of our national
convention in which the Pacific coast has
been accorded such an honor. California
was acquired under demo Sratic rule. 1t
became a commonwealth under democratic
auspices. 1t Is, therefore, fitting that this
favor should emanate from an organiza-
ton whose patriotism and courage gave
her to the American union, and that party
should be ever ready to press forward
with parental fondness the children
of those who knocked aud did
not knock in vain for admission to the
privileges of statehood. For the first
time in period covering more than
quarter of a century, a democratic ma
tional convention is held, while the affairs
of the government are conducted by
late preside initial election the republican
party declared that democratic success
means national ruin, and that whatever
might be said of the crimes and trans
actions of those then in authority, yet to
no other keeping could the welfare of the
United States be safely contided. This
doctrine was repudiated at the polls
and the experience of almost four years
has demonstrated that assertion and that
the people were right IN demanding and
compelling radical change Governor
Cleveland was selected by the convention
of 1884 as a man whose firmness, ability,
integrity and statesmanlike qualities pre-
eminently fitted him tu undertake the
task of carrying out the reforms suggested
by the organization to whose trusts he
has ever been ready to
yield compliance. For years
it had been generally cone eded
that it was necessary to reform the tariff.
The existing law on the subject had been
called into being during the excitement
and because of the exigencies of war.
The republican party, white not denying
the necessity for reform, has ever failed
to suggest any remedy, and has universally
thwarted the efforts of the democracy to
afford needed relief. The present adminis-
tration has realized the promises made by
the democratic convention of 1884. II
has sought to reduce taxation, and
Tighten the burdens of the people,
and to reduce the revenue so as
to prevent undue accumulations in the
treasury and has at the same time taken
requisite steps to foster and protect do
mestio industries. If the tariff has not bt en-
modified it is because of republican OBJ
struction. During republican dominancy
100000 acres of public domain passed
into the hands of corporations and foreign
syndicates formed for the creation of indi-
vidual fortunes. The democratic admin
istration, in conformity with the tenets of
the party, declared forfeiture, thus
rendering to those seeking homes
in good faith more than 100000
acres. In conformity with the views of
the president statute has been enacted
preventing the acquisition of lands by
those non-oitizens of the United States,
and restricting the power of corporations
to obtain an interest in the territories.
The administration has entere1 into a
treaty with the Chinese empire which
must result in excluding the Mongolians
from our shores, and which for the first
time makes it possible to prevent perpet-
uation of frauds on our immigration
laws, now practiced by that race, and
to preserve us from the evils
of servile competition. The re-
election of Grover Cleveland is
demanded by the patriotic sentiment of
the land. The republican party Is strug-
Cling for life. 1t cannot long survive its
extended incubency, due to the fears and
doubts succeeding civil conflict. These
forebodings have been removed by time,
thought and honest opinion, in spite of
illegal force openly used; Notwithstanding
criminal efforts, defeating the public will
as expressed at the ballot box. The peo-
pie have summoned to power an admins
tration, which no stain or suspicion has
ever reached. This was done
in spite of the preparation
of crime against the electoral franchise,
which deprived the democracy OF the
fruits of victory, and the whole people of
the services of that great statesman and
true American, Samuel j. Tilden. His
name should be transmitted as an example
of one who, rather than disturb the pub
lie tranquility, sacrificed on the altar of
his country the noblest aspirations of
American citizenship. Unable to re-
instate themselves on any meritorious
issue, corrupt POLITICIANS whose trans
nv Aa., oil III m