Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-03-06
DOWN IN TENNESSEE.
Meeting of the National Convention of
Republican Leagues.

Meeting of the National Convention of
Republican Leagues.
NASHVILLE, March 5th.-After II O. clock, when
President Thurston raped, the National Conven-
ton of the Republican Leagues came to order.
The proceedings opened with prayer by the
Rev. Derrick of New York, after which tele-
grams and letters were read from President
Harrison, Republican Congressman I. g. Platt
of New York and others.
Harrison, among sher things, said ''The
party to which you belong has never suffered
by the intelligent discussion of its history or its
principles, and am sure your organization will
continue to furnish courageous and well ap-
pointed champions wherever lists OF debate are
opened"
AT noon the members marched in body to
the State house where they were rendered a re-
ception by the Governor and the Legislature.
Upon their arrival at the State Capitol the band
played "Dixie, and as the League marched into
the house the members of the l4ez islature drose
and with shouts and waving of handkerchiefs
and flags, welcomed the visitors. They were
welcomed by Speaker Clapp and Governor Tay-
lor, who were responded to by President Thurs
ton.
President Thurston replied to the addresses
of welcome in the Capitol saying in part, I'VE
will go home with a better idea of the possi-
bilities OF Tennessee than we ever had before.
and the result will be worth millions to the
State, which is indeed blessed. We recognize
there must be two political parties, and when
they are equal in strength the public Interests
are best subseryed. Thank God that the Re
publican party is in the supremacy and that
he Democratic party is strong enough to hold
it down"
The applause following the speech was OF
long duration.
Doodle and intense enthusiasm was again
manifested, members both standing on chairs
and desks and waving flags. Several other
brief addresses were made ana the reception
ended.
The Convention met again at 8 o'clock, and
platform was presented and adopted that
heartily congratuIates the country upon its sue
cess and the marvellous prosperity that has at
tended the first year of Republican resumption
in the Federal Government.
1t congratulates President Harrison, snd de-
clares absolute confidence and pledges him cor
dial support, rejoices in the restoration of the
dignity, vigor and craftsmanship in conduct OF
foreign affairs, as illustrated by the Samoan
treaty and the American Congress. In the pru-
dent management of the Treasury Department,
by which the. national debt is being extin-
guished with significant ability and the market
protected against speculative combinations, in
the great Improvements in the postal service,
the opening of new territory, the progressive
policy OF the secretary OF the Navy, and the
faithfulness and practical wisdom that has
characterized the present management of other
departments of the Government.
The platform demands the maintenance OF
the American system of protection to American
industries and labor. but pledges to support a
thorough and equitable Ievisien, so as to adapt
the protection it affords to the changed bust
ness conditions, and arraigns the Democratic
party for the manner in which for years it has
prevented the accomplishment of this purpose,
and denounces the practice OF the Democratic
party in it's systematic persistent and outrage
Gus efforts to deprive Southern Republicans of
the right to the franchise.
1t re asserts the expressed determination of
the Republican party to maintain this right to
the fullest extent, and condemns the theory of
the rights which shall be held to prevent the
f~Nr,o
the enjoyment of civil, religious and political
rights. The Government of the United States
having an unquestioned right to demand of
every citizen services in her defense in time of
peril, is bound by every principle of honor.
consistency and good faith ID protect its citi-
zans in the full and free enjoyment of each and
every right conferred by the Constitution, and
this Convention protests against the seating in
the American Congress OF any applicant, no
matter OF which party, who presents himself for
admission, unless his election is untainted
either by fraud. violence or assassination, and
we indorse the present action of Congress in
carrying out this policy.
The platform tavOIs the general provisions of
the Interstate Commerce Act, and demands its
regulation on all railway and transportation
lines in manner to insure fair and reasonable
rates to the producers and consumers.
1t favors such legislation as would prevent il
legal combinations and unjust exsctions by ag-
gregated capital and corporate powers. 1t in
sists upon the suppression of trusts and like
ton of all American business interests from
destructive and unfair attack.
We emphasize our approval of liberal and
equitable pension laws No soldier, whether
disabled in the service or elsewhere, should be
permitted to end his days in the poor house. nor
should his family be allowed 10 suffer want.
That the discriminating preference of Union
veterans in appointments TO public Office, which
is one of the features of this Administration q
q just and liberal policy. towards the soldiers
and sailors who defended the Government,
meets our warmest approval.
We recognize the dignity of labor and the
necessity OF proper legislation to protect its
interests.
We shall unswervingly oppose every attempt
to lessen the fruits of toll or place honest work
men in competition with paupers and conyicts.
domestic or foreign.
The rigid enforcement by this Administration
of the alien labor contract law commands our
appreciation. The request of the wage-workers
for reasonable hours of labor demands, and
should receive legislative consideration.
We approve the action of the various Repub-
Hcan Legislatures in adopting a system OF bal
lot reform whereby fraud at the polls is pre-
vented and every eIector enabled to vote inde-
pendently and intelllgently.
We believe the education of the masses to be
the best preventive of bad government, and
Therefore favor Federal assistance where needed
in the work of eliminating illiteracy among the
population.
The Republican party has always been dis
tinguished for its courage, and always has been
prompt IN recognizing display OF this quality
by its leaders. III the line OF this policy this
Convention expresses appreciation of Speaker
Reeds action in standing boldly for the princi-
pie of a majority rule against Democratic power
in and out of Congress.
An amendment that created the only breeze
during the two days session was offered by
Isaac Revel of Washington, and rejected after q
heated debate. 1t was: "And we demand our
representatives in Congress to redeem every
pledge made TO the people at Chicago in 1885,
by repeating the internal revenue laws, by re-
yising the tariff, by the passage of the Blair
educational bill and completely restoring silver
to the currency of the country, aud by the lib
eral pensioning of every Federal soldier"
After disposing of the platform the Committee
on League submitted the declaration empha-
sizing the repressed divorcement of the work of
the organization from all efforts to influence the
action of any convention or to indicate prefer
ence for only individual candidates; that it was
not in the province of the League to dictate the
policies or principles of the party; calling at
tention of the State Leagues to the necessity OF
organizing in every Congressional district, and
the necessity of immediate organization in the
South and calling the attention of the National
Congressional Committee and State Committees
to the necessity for immediate preparation and
distribution of campaign literutere.
The report was adopted as presented. The
next Convention will be held in Cincinnati.
The election of officers resulted at follows
President Hon. John NJ. Thurston, of Nebraska
Secretary, A. P. Humphreys. of New YORK
Treasurer, Hon. Phineas LOunsberg, of Connec-
ticut. and q long list OF Vice-Presidents and