The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-05-05
FOR THE STUFFED.

Nttuperatfve speech Dy MI beeS.
MILWAUKEE. May A wild cheer for
Grover Cleveland went ND to-day before
the Democratic State convention OF Wis
consin had been in session sixty seconds.
1t was ct the beginning of speech by the
temporary chairman, State Senator Robert
Lees, of Alma. opening the convention. So
enthusiastic were the delegates and anx-
ious TO inaugurate the Cleveland boom In
earnest that the custom of prefacing the
proceedings with prayer was overlooked.
No portraits of candidates OF leaders were
on exhibition in the hall except those or
Wisconsin's favorite sops-Vilas and Peck.
The speech of Chairman Lees was warmly
received. 1t was mainly laudation OF
Democracy and denunciation of the Re-.
publican party. 1t would have ticklcd
Hoosier mossbacks to have heard it As
coiners of vituperative phrases Senators
Voorhees, and Turpie cannot hold candle
to the Wisconsin orator. After delying
into ancient history and liking the Repub-
lIcans to federalists, Mr.. Lees said:
"But what are the facts and who Is re-
sponsible for the grave condition OF affairs
existing today Instead of O government
economically administered We have a
billion-dollar Congress, and every Repub-
lican sheet applauds the spoliation OF The
people. Instead of seeing laws impartially
enforced by conscientious courts we see
the authors of the bloc ks-of-fiye' infamy
discharged by the court and the judge re-
warded for his partisan decision by pro-
motion as fiagrant as any recorded IN his
tory. and the Republican press Is silent
Instead OF laws enacted for the welfare OF
the whole people, we behold class legisa-
tion. special and partisan legislation, and
that mpound of ali lnlquities. the tarif
lor al of ha nat
the Mckinley act, and etiIl every protec-
tion organ grinds ont the same refrain:
Enacted in behalf of the poor laIoring-
man and farmer OF America What au-
dacious mendacityl What overwhelming
confidence in the power of association is
thus exhibited by these exponents OF
modern Repubiicanism! What .
change has come over the spirit of the lse-
publican party's dreams since 1897. Be-
sotted by a long continuance of uDcon-
trolled power. first acquired by appealing
to the best sentiments of humanity and
afterward maintained By force. fraud and
treachery. every form of injustice and cor
ruption has been resorted 10 maintain
themselves II power.
Making midnight treaties with those
bogies of the North, the rebel brig0diers;
turning over TO their tender mercies the
helpless wards of the nation. careless and
indifferent 10 their fate. could IL but keep
Its power and control of the disbursement 70
from the United states Treasury, trucu-
and corrupt everywhere. such was the
Republican party In 1876. and by Its base
ness it succeeded in accomplishing the
greatest political crime OF modern times
tue theft of the presidency of the United
States. From that time on there has been
o continual descent of the party from one
depth of infamy TO another, more execrable
still, until at last it rests Its hopes on O
Quay, q Dudley, O Wanamaker, a Reed 2 nd
Harrison; on q force bill and an army of
officers created and designed TO disburse the
money extracted from the toll and the
necessities Of the masses In the purchase or
the venal voter. Consistency is jewel.
but 1t Is one to which the Republican
party lays no claim and is about the only
thing of value lt has not appropriated.
But il Is not 10 be blamed" Mr.. Lees con-
sinTea IN this strain for Si long time to the
wound up with On eulogy Of Cleveland.
sMoTHERED IN THE sTUFBED's INTEREST.
The apparently talismanic name that
concluded the Chairman's speech was the
signal for such o storm OF shouting and
stamping that the painted forest scenery
on the stage swayed and tapped as if Q
tornado was coming Everything In tho
way of business now seemed to flash along
with lightning-like rapidity, so careful,
apparently. bad been the preparations OF
tho recognized leaders to prevent the
| smallest atom of friction or anything
savoring of disturbance. The committees
were named In one-two-three order. and
| every thing was merry as q marriage feast.
| Hon. VIM. +. Villas was chosen chairman
of tho committee on resolutions. Just
when the convention was swimming In
| harmony and the air seemed redolent with
| incense to Cleveland and a hundred or
! more cents to be q dollar. the delegaess
| were shocked by man named Aickle-
| John, the second mate of the biggest steam
| boat on the Mississippi He had seeming
| ly been watching an opportunity TO get an
| underhoid on the harmony that was run
ming at large, and the way he tripped it
| was something astonishing. An innocent
resolution had been offered aud was abous
TO be adopted, referring all resolutions TO
| the platform committee without reading
| or debate.
| That's the wey ward caucusses are
banded. Mr.. Chairman yelled Niclle-
| john. W no. from an advantageous seat In tho
front row Of the parquette, had sprung
| up. "Ive read that's the way ward heelers
| do things to strangle the truth. i don't
believe it IS true Democracy. and object
here and now" The effect was startling.
| SO utterly unexpected was the interrup-
ton.
| the muttered exclamation heard from more
| than one IN the confusion that ensued.
A big, swarthy 0elegate. Gardner. OF
| WGtertown. was the first to pull himself
| together. This convention is unanimous
| ly for Cleveland" shouted Gardner. amid
tremendous appliance. "and IL is unanimous
that dollar shall be worth one hundred
| cents. The resolution is entirely proper to
facilitate business. ana the eleven who
have been named on the platform commit
| tee can be trusted TO deal rightly with any
| resolution, or series OF resolutions, that
| couid be brought before us.n
Notwithstanding Miekelohn's protest
| the resolution To refer all resolutions with
| out reading was adopted with "A regular
| pile-driver yea" Then the convention
decided 10 take recess. and cool of the
| feverish feeling that had developed. but
| paused TO give Senator Villas an ovation
| when he rose in the center of the hall 10
announce the place for the meeting Of the
| committee on resolutions.
| THE PLATFORM.
On reassemblIng Mr.. Villas read the re-
port of the committee on resolutions. W hich
was as follows:
The Democrats OF Wisconsin believe that in
the patriotism and wisdom OF the whole people
| exists the best guarantee OF good government:
that public Office should be held as a trust for tho
public welfare. and not for the private beneut OF
the incumbent or for the political party TO which
| he belongs, that unnecessary taxation A. unjust
taxation. and, therefore. reailirin tie OFT as
serted doctrine that there should be no tariff tax
| alton except for revenue. And We denOnnce The
| infamous legislation OF the last Republican Cs1r