Telegram-herald., 1891-12-10
DE GANG FORMS lCLUB
10 ORGANIZE 1 POLITICAL SOCIETY
whtsh Shall Teach the Great Dsnssratie
Rassy How 90 kaa rhiass S~zt Tear.
The silver oa<stfss ABLY Knssssa
Out bv ~ lsn<r and 0sn<hnsD.

Einstsen JsEfersonian democrats
met in the upper circuit court room last
evening 10 complete the organization Of
= jefferson club. Three previous meet
ings had been held Aad the preliminary
Preparations made. A committee ap-
polntsd for the purpose had prepared
and submitted the constitution, which
had been practically adopted. J. W..
Ransom prsssded last svening. and J. j..
Atkinson recorded the pf ocssdlngs- w.
Wisner Taylor, after the meeting had
been called to order, arose with copy
Of the constitution and by-laws and
read the preamble with great dellbera-
tion. calling the attention OF the mem :
hers to the clause. which read as fol-
lows. I'VE believe in the free coinage
Of niver." lie moved 10 strikc out
that particular clause, as the ques-
ton Of free ,olnage - much
mooted and the lationsl democratic
party has not declared itself IN favor
Of IL. Mr.. Taylor said he did not under
stand the question suriclsntly well 20
either oppose or champion u. and
thought II would bs wise 20 submit the
matter 10 the national moguls Tor ad-
lustment-
Kaasssa for Free silver.
After Mr.. Taylor had gwen his rea-
sons for remaining silent upon the sub
Iect. j. w. Ransom vacated the chair,
calling DIR. Bradheld to preside. Mr..
Ransom was IN favor OF the free coinage
of siivsf. and was not ayerse to letting
the national promuigators of the party's
{ principles know how the city hall
democracy OF Grand Rapids feel con-
eernlng this question. lie said
that principle would be incorporated
into the national platform IN 1872. and
IN order 20 save the nation from the lm-
pending danger OF financial disruption,
silver should be . medium of exchange
on = basls equal TO gold. THIS, he said.
WAS democratic doctrine throughout
she south and west, and it had already
been Incorporated into the democratic
platform OF several states, and should
be the cardinal principle Of the Jeffer-
SON club OF the Fifth congressional
district Of Michigan. w. C..
Harper, recent candidate for men,
Der OF the legislature in the
second district. who was defeated
By Ed. Barnard. expressed himself in
favor of the principle set forth IN the
preamble. bat to preserve harmony In
she dub he recommended that the sec
ton under discussion De stricken out.
Several other lesser lights poured forth
. stream of democratic eloquence
praying for harmony. after which tho
question WAS called for. A rising vote
vas taken and the section stricken out
BY . vote OF . TO 10.
OfSieers Are Elsets1.
This all important question hav-
ing been disposed of. Mr.. Taylor
stated that the annual meeting
Of the club would be held on February
Is. the anniversary of Thomas Jetfer-
son ~ president Of the United States
In the meantime the club will be gov
erued by temporary officers. Upon mo-
ton such officers were elected by accla-
nation their terms TO expire At the an
nusi meeting. The officers elected are
- follows:
President, Maurice NJ. Shannahan;
vice president. DIR. T. ID. Bradheld; sec
YesaFy. J.. L. Donovan; treasurer,
Jerome Philips; corresI ondIng secre-
oary. y. j. Atkinson; executive commit
tee, w w. Taylor, w. y. Foller, +. NJ.
PxrmeiIee. E.J . Pelton, l.. l.. Launiere,
y. w. Ransom, j. IT, Stewart. j. T..
Humphrey, II. II. LefhngwelI, George
l.. Bratk
The jurisdiction of the club extends
over the Fifth congressional district
and 1T the annual meeting the officers
will be distributed throughout the dis
triet. The executive committee will
meal IN tha eirctras court roosx, paws
Wednesday evening to map out the
course TO be persued by the club. The
committee Was instructed to have the
constitution and bylaws printed and
circulated for signers TO the democratic
faith. The officers elected will be notg-
ned BY the corresponding secretary.