The morning call., 1891-09-04
LOCAL ISSUES.
The Democratic Campaign in
Pennsylvania.
Officers Nominated and Platform Adopted
by the State Convention.
New York Pr0hbltiOntStS- Declaration Of
Principles S-PrCpoSed Confer
enGe Committee.
Epecial to THE MoRNISs CALL

HARRISBURG Penn.), Sept. 3.-At 1880
o'clock this morning the Democratic State
Convention was called to order. Four hun
dred and sixty-one delegates we're present.
Fl. Willis Bland of Reading was chosen
temporary Chairman. In his speech Bland
said that never before did the public so
deeply feel the necessity for change in the
administration of public affairs, and never
before was the feeling so strong that the
ticket put in nomination to-day would be
overwhelmingly elected. "The campaign"
he declared, would be fought on local is
sues. not on national. Nobody doubts that
the people of Pennsylvania love the teach
ings of their prophet, Grover Cleveland.
Tremendous applause.l His defeat in the
last campaign has been more glorious to
him than any victory would have been, for
no thinking man can help feeling that the
lessons taught in the Democratic victories
all over the country since his defeat are
tributes to the grandeur of Grover Cleveland
and the principle he so nobly represents.
But we are not going into national issues.
1t is our duty to the people that we turn out
the Republican vampires who are prOsti-
tuting public offices all over the State"
The usual committees were appointed and
the convention at u o'clock took recess
until l 80.
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.
The afternoon session of the convention
began at O'clock.
The Committee on Permanent 0rganiZa-
ton reported in favor of George w. Skim
ner of Fulton County for permanent Chair
man. He made an address.
In the course of his speech he said: 1--WE
have assembled here to-day, l take it. not
for the purpose of giving expression to our
individual views upon national candidates
and questions of national policy, but as rep
resentatfyes of that class OF citizens of the
State whose hands are unshackled by boss
ism and whose manhood must ever rise high
above the arts and practices OF the mere
selfish politician; citizens who now say to
US that if we shall deliberate with wisdom
to-day and boldly confront the deep and
grieYous wrongs existing in high places in
the government of the State, the can
dtdates of our choice to-day shall receive
their cordial Endorsement and support"
THE PLATFORM
The Committee on Resolution then re-
ported.
The platform renews the pledges of devo-
tion to the principles Of the Democratic plat
forms of 1864 and 1888. 1t says: I'VE are
In favor of an honest and economical admin
istratiOn OF public affairs; of limiting eX-
penses and reducing taxation to meet the
actual necessities of the Government; OF a
sound and stable currency based on gold and
silver, coined and circulated in such pTOpOr-
tons as will keep them on parity; of re-
form and revision of the tariff; of liberal
but just pension laws, and OF all well-con-
siGered legislation tending to Increase the
reward aud tighten the burdens of labor"
The remaining Dlanks condemn the Re-
publican Legislature for failing TO pass ap-
poTtionment bills; ignoring the demands OF
labor for relief by law, and failing to equal
iZe taxation and abuses in the mercantile
Rppraispment laws. The Republican party
is also denounced for the plunder of the
State Treasury by Bardsley of S1,500,000.
The Republican party is held responsible
for the scandals in connection with the
Bardsley defalcation. Senator Quay is de-
nounced for his corrupt and shameless
domination in the politics OF the State, and
the party is condemned for its servie ac-
quiescence in the leadership of man who
failed to defend himself from charges against
his official conduct.
OFFICERS ARRAIGNED.
The Republican Auditor General is ar
raigned and condemned for permitting
BaTdsley to embezzle S360,O9O of State
license money; for cOnsplring with Bards-
ley to appoint corrupt mercantile apprais-
ers, who abused their Office for private adj
vantage aud robbed the State OF its just
revenue; for having conspred with Bards-
ley to speculate in pubic advertising, and
receiving bIibeS from publishers" The
Republican State Treasurer is "arraigned
and condemned for willfully and know
ngly permitting BardsleY to retain in his
possession over S1,000,000 collected for and
ha btrra Of
which dereliction a large part OF the money
has been lost TO the people; for having
conspred with Bardsley to secure to him
tile payment of S425,000 of the public school
funds in advance of the usual time and
when BardSey was already known to the
Treasurer to be defaulter for over 100000.
The Republican Treasurer and Auditor
General are Jointly condemned for having
conspired to pay to Bardsley December 30th
last S150,o0O, ostensibly on account of Phil
adelpha COunty's share OF the personal
property tax, but before that tax had been
paid in and when BaFdsley was defaulter.
GOVERNOR PAfTIsoN INDoRsED.
The Republican party is condemned for
having fostered, encouraged. protected and
continued a reckless system Of official spec
ulation with public moneys, whereby the
State and city Treasurers have enriched
themselves, corrupted public r, morals and
robbed the Taxpayers. The platform
Heartily indorses the wise, statesmanlike
and patriotic administration of Governor
Pattison," applauds and approves his fear
less vetOes of partisan, vicious and ill-cOn-
sdered legislation, sympathizes with the
Just demands Of the wOrkingmen for such
legislation as will protect their interests,
and for such speedy amendments to the
Constitution as will secure free and secret
ballot.
Robert F. Wright of Allentown and James
G. McSEaIran of Lancaster we're placed In
nomination for the Office Of Anditor-Gen-
eral. Mr.. Tile, who nominated McSharIau,
said he, as member of the State Grange,
would give strength. Tile criticized Wright
as a lawyer, and said lawyer candidates
would not receive enthusiastic support this
year. However, when a ballot was taken it
was found that Wright had an overwhelm-
ing majority and the nomination was made
unanimous.
For State Treasurer A. l.. Tiden Of Erie
and Charles w. Raymer Of Middletown
were placed in nomination. Tiden had
about the same majority as Wright, and the
nomination was made unanimous. The
candidates came forward and made speeches
of acceptance. Wright said the injunction
"Thou shall not stear is cardinal plank
of the platform, and on that plank the i'm
pending battle must be fought. The con-
vention adjourned amid enthusiastic cheer
ing.
THE PROHI IBITIONISTS.
A Ticket Nominated by the New York
State Convention.