The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-09-16
Mckinley, Clarkson and Others Address
the National League of Clubs.
at ElwoOd, Where Positive Proof Exists
that Americans Make Tin-Plate
Word to Workingmeu on the Results
That Would Follow Free Trade.
How President Clarkson Would Solve the Labor
Question Attendance of Leagusrs-
To Meet in Louisville Next Year.
REPUBLICAN CLUBS.

REPUBLICAN CLUBS.
Annual Convention of the National League
Speeches by Clarkson and Mckinley.
BUFFALO. Sept. 15.-The national conven-
tion Of Republican League clubs of the
United States began In Music Hall this
morning and will continue until to-mor-
row night. The business portion of the
city has been profusely decorated in honor
OF the event. and the corridors Of the
principal hotels have been thronged with
visitors from all portions of the Union.
Music Hall was appropr lately decorated
with flags and bunting. and portraits Of
Harrison and Reid occupied prominent
positions at each end of the stage. The
parquette was occupied by delegates from
the various States and the gallery by the
alternates.
The convention was called TO order at
11:30 o'clock by John II. Scatchard. and
after prayer by Rev. DR.. Hubbell and
brief address of welcome by Judge Haight,
President ClarKson delivered his annual
address, He was greeted with cheers on
his appearance. He said the falling off in
the expected attendance was largely due to
the cholera scare keeping away many del
egstlons. His address was largely devoted
to review of the organization and prog.
ress of the league and it's work as q new
element IN politics. In the course
OF his remarks he said 1.-The
rising question of the tine-iu
my judgment the one on which
the national campaign is surely to bs
fought-is the labor question. The Mo-
Kinley bill has fully demonstrated the
wisdom of the American policy and has
gained the approval of a majority of the
American homes as the permanent policy
of the Republic. Next Novem Der the work
ingmen. farmers. business men and ell
classes of toiers will join in striking down
the declaration of the Democratic platform
OF 1892 in favor of free trade as the Amerl-
con rule anu free-trade wages for the Amer
lean workmen. The same classes, L am
sure. will also strike down with empha-
sls OF dlsapproval the Democratic
declaration in favor of destroying
our present system of currency and finance
for a return to the wretched and disastrous
form of State banks and nnsonnd currency.
After the vindication In November next of
these great American ideas and the reaf-
irmation of a fearless. liberal American
policy. am confident the Republican par
ty. which has already done more for the
workingman than any party or any nation
has ever done TOR the working people. Will
take mp tho labor question more in detail,
snG leasus snbs ana other
detailed forms of discussion. will reach
by 1896 some method of tranquilizing en-
tirely all the questions of labor. For my
own part L believe the settlement of all
labor trout bles Will come by the adoption of
the systems of profit-sharIng and co-oDera-
tion and some equitable form OF artitra-
fiop. 4 believe l represent faithfully the
league in all Its purposes and aspirations
when l say that it will gladly follow any
and every good element In American So
oiety aiming sincerely TO benefit the Amer
lean people. It stands for absolute honesty
in politics and for purity and merit In the
civil ser rice.
HOW TO DESTROY THE sPoILs SYSTEM.
"Civil-service reform greatly needs and
greatly deserves q better leadership than it
has in those insincero and self-appointed
overseers now assuming to be Its sole pro-
prietors. and it will find it in ths league.
Two little practical enactments by Con-
gress would remove nearly the whole body
and carcass of the spoils system from pol
itics. First tenure of Office fixed by law,
giving certain term-four or SIX years-to
every ofiice-holder or clerk, to be renewed
when deserved. Second, an act TO empower
people to elect their own postmasters. as
forms actually demanded the Republican
party and the league are ready 10 help
secure"
Messrs Slaughter. of Nebraska. and Fos-
ter. of Illinois. were named as assistant
secretaries. The roll-call showed that
thirty -four States and three Territories
were represented. A committee on creden-
tials was appointed. each State naming
member. Indiana chose Robert l.. Mans-
field. and Illinois &. II. Edwards.
On motion of Mr. Campbell. of Illinois
the college club delegates were seated.
President Burke was loudly called for. and
in responding assured the convention that
would DO found doing valiant work for the
Republican ticket The convention then
took q recese
At 8 o'clock this afternoon there were
afternoon session had been called for 2
o'clock. IL was estimated that out OF l.0l9
delegates only about three hundred were
present. 1t was $50 when the convention
was called 10 order and President Clark
son asked the delegates to come to the
front seats. Delegate Squire, OF Ohio.
arose and said that there was no
doubt that there would have been
much larger attendance had not tee
date been suddenly changed. The present
date. too, conflicted with the Grand Army
meeting at Washington, and so he decided
10 offer q rule that the annual conventions
the first Wednesday in May of each year.
The resolution was referred 10 the commit
tee on time and place of meeting.
Mr.. Mansfield. of Indiana, secretary OF
the committee on credentials. reported that
thifty-four States and the College League
were represented. The report was adopted
with a modification providing that the
future relation of the College League to
the National League be referred to
the committee on resolutions 1or fur
ther consideration. recommendation OF
the committee on credentials that the
league of the District of Columbia be adj
mitted to membership was adopted. Re-
ports from the States showing the growth
and progress of the league were then called
for and all except Arkansas submitted
most encouraging reports. After transact
ing some routine business adlournment
was made until evening. Next years con.
vention will be held at Louisville, Ky.
The date Will be selected by the national
executive committee.
MAJOR M'KISLEY's SPEECH.
Music Hall filed slowly in the evening.
but II was Ill ed at last. aud soon every
seat was taken. There was q fair sprink-
ling of ladies in the audience. and the ut
most enthusiasm prevailed. The college
clubs >errived shortly before s o'clock.
and alter announcing the fact by
college yells, took seats in the gal
lery. The entrance of j. Sloat Fassett
was the signal for applause. ana hardly had
il subsided when Chairman Clarkeon