The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-28
THE FAT MAN AGAIN.
Wisconsin Halls the Power of
Cleveland's Name.
THE BENNETT LAW DENOUNCED.
Peck, the Alleged Humorist, for Gov
ernor-Greenback Party Holds q
National Convention.

MILWAUKEE. Aug. 27-The Democratic
state convention met at noon, with J. NJ.
Morrow, OF Sparta, temporary chairman.
The mention OF the name of Grover Cleve-
land in his opening speech was received
with greatest enthusiasm. His denuncia-
ton of the Bennett compulsory school
law was also yociferously applanded, and
the convention will without doubt demand
its repeal. The usual committees were ap-
pointed, with Hon. w. f. Villas chairman
of the committee on resolutions. A recess
was taken till o'clock p. m.
Upon reassembling the platform was pre-
sented by ex-Secretary Villas. 1t de-
nounces the Mckinley bill. and declares
that the "force bill" is an attempt to per.
petuate the policy and power of the Re-
publican party; denounces Speaker Reed
for arbitrary assumption of authority in
an attempt to disfranchise political oppo-
nents; demands that the present tariff be
reduced, and that taxation be lowered to
meet the just requirements of public ex-
penses. Following are the planks bearing
on the Bennett school law of Wisconsin:
We oppose any diversion of public school
funds to sectarian uses. The Democratic party
created the public school system of this state,
and will always jealousy guard and maintain
1t. The Bennett law is a local manifestation of
the settled Republican policy OF paternalism.
favoring laws providing for the compulsory
attendance of all children. We believe the
school law in force prior to the passage of the
Bennett law guaranteed to all the
children of the state an opportunity
for education, and in this essential
feature was stronger than the Bennett law. The
underlying principle of the Bennett law is need
less interference with parental rights and lib
o~<xv Nfo .sn.r F.
forcement place the accused at the mercy of
school directors. and deny his right to trial by
jury and according to the law of the land.
To palliete this tyrannical invasion of
individual and constitutional rights the
shallow plea of defense of the English
language is advanced. The history of this
state. largely peopled with foreign citizens, has
demonstrated the fact that natural causes and
the necessities OF the situation are advancing
the growth of the English language to the
greatest possible extent. We therefore denounce
that law as unnecessary, unwise, unconstitu-
tional, un-American and un-Democratic and
demand its appeal.
The platform was unanimously adopted.
No opposition whatever was offered to the
plank demanding repeal of the Bennett
law, and the speakers in their addresses
nominating the various candidates for gov
ernor all denounced the law as an unneces-
sary piece OF paternalism, and while de-
claring they were in favor of teaching En-
glish in ali the schools, they said they were
opposed to compulsion.
The nominating speeches were not
finished until 6 o'clock. The ballots did
not show any great change until the sixth,
when a stampede set in for Peck, and
when it became certain he would be nomi-
mated some one moved to make it
unanimous. General Bragg Immediately
protested, and insisted on roll call. The
vote showed: Peck 227, Bouck 10. knight
AZ, Winans IL. 1t was moved to make the
nomination unanimous, and again Bragg
objected, and when the motion was put he
voted nay with few friends. and was
loudly Kissed by the convention. Peck
was sent for and soon appeared and
thanked the delegates for the honor con-
ferred upon him. Carl Jones, of Racine,
was nominated for lieutenant-govenor,
and the convention adjourned until to-
morrow