Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-23
CITY OFFICIALS SCORED.
Reading of the County Platform Pre-
cipitates a Hot Debate.
IT is FINALLY RECOMMENDED.
Colonel Stone Named on the Lawrence-But-
ler Judicial Commission.
TWENTT-F0URTH DISTRICT MUDDLE


racy and the Homestead strike stirred up
the general Democratic Committee on
County Platform last evening. This COM
mittee, composed OF members appointed by
the various Senatorial and Legislative con-
ventions, met in the headquarters on Dia-
mond street, and heard the report of the
subcommittee appointed last week to draft
a platform. Tins platform caused lively
debate, but was finally accepted under the
pressure of the previous question, and re-
commended to the district conventions,
which are to meet later to make nomi-
nations
The subcommittee having finished its
work in secret, the committee at large was
called to order by Attorney John E. Miller,
who said that the subcommittee was ready
to report through its chairman.
John B. Larkin read the platform agreed
upon. He said that the committee had held
three protracted sessions, and had agreed
upon its work unanimously. He read
the platform as follows, the first
four resolutions being intended for the
congressional and legislative conventions:
Approved the National Platform.
q.
principles OF tho Democratic party as set
forth in the Democratic National platform,
adapted at Chicago, and we ratify, indorse,
and will zealously support the nominees of
that ntion, Grover Cleveland and
Adlai z. Stevenson.
Resolved, That the spirit of unrest in this
and other States the violence to law and So
ciety, bringing destruction to life and prop
ertv, ia the result of the pernicious class
LEGISLATION of the Republican party: that
tie present tariff means the enrichment
and the election of the few and the i'm
poverishmeat and the degradation OF the
many, as it taxes, restricts and shuts out
from abroad the things which labor pro-
duces, while it encourages and maintains
untaxed, unrestricted and absolutely free
trade. in labor. itself 1t also closes the
markets of the world against Americas sur
plus goods while inviting to our shores. for
Unfair competition with American work
men, the labor of the world
Resolved, That we cheerfully indorse the
WISE conservative and conscientious ad-
ministration of Governor Pattison, and
commend him for his judicious action in
restoring the supremacy of the law in this
county.
Resolved, That we sympathize with Or
ganized labor in its present struggle for
recognition, and favor the enactment of
laws under which labor may organize and
be incorporated: that we deprecate any
resort to violence and demand a strict COM
pliance with the law; that we express our
confidence in the power of the State OF
Pennsylvania through its constituted au-
thorities TO enforce the law, preserve the
peace and protect the property of its citi-
zens, and that the use of any band OF
armed me rcenaries, non-residenJs of the
Commonwealth, whether known as Plnker-
tons by some other title, is an un war
Tanted assumption OF power, and should be
made impossible by law; that we favor the
repeal OF all laws that give to corporations,
organized capital or any class OF citizens
rights or privileges which are not available
to the masses of the people.
Demand the Repeal of Blue Laws.
The resolutions referring to the Legislative
districts alone are as follows:
Resolved, That we demand the repeal of
the Blue Laws of 1884, and favor the enact
ment of legislation which, while maintain
ing with a strong hand the peace, good order
and sanctity of the Sabbath, will also mani
fest due regard for the comfort, the con-
venience and the rights of the individual
citizen.
Whereas, The new city charter has been
in force over four years, most liberal ordi-
nances have been passed to carry it into
effect its operation has been fairly tried and
the promised good results have not been OBJ
Whereas. Under its provisions heads of
departments are created and invested with
unlimited power, and with the large expen-
diture of money and the large patronage
within their gift, they are enabled and do
control municipal affairs elect members of
Councils of their own choice and who are
serVile to them: and Councils in return elect
the heads OF departments hence they are
independent Of and DEFY the will of the peo-
pie. Incompetent men have been retained
and are now holding responsible positions
to the great detriment OF the department to
which they are assigned.
Our fire department is insufficient and in
adequate 70 to the wants OF the city, owing
to the purchase of worthless hose, and the
lack of power OF our engines. which are pur-
chased from favorite manufacturers at
prices equal to good machines. who have
long imposed their inferior articles on the
city.
Under its operation large sums of money
have been expended and large tracts of land
have been purchased for public parks
motely situated, and without color of law,
or the consent of the people, and easy OF
access only to a favored few: syndicates of
political bosses, city officials and con ira ctors
are favored, who have a monopoly of all
city contracts and who are in close touch
with heads of departments and who have
grown suddenly rich at the expense OF over
burdened taxrayers. and to whom millions
O. dollars of traction railroad franchises
have been granted without one dollar OF re-
turn to the city.
The Cost of Running the City.
The annual appropriations have increased
year after year, until this year 1t has reached
the enormous figure of s5,0000O0, which is
spent by the various departments without
rendering any account whatever to the peo-
pie. To meet this vast appropriation valu-
ations have been inflated far above their
cash value, and taxation increased to such
e1tent that it is driving manufactures
and business out of the city.
Therefore, we believe that the new char
ter is unwise legislation, enacted for the pur-
pose of centralizing power under the con-
troll OF an irresponsible oligarchy that now
holes dominion over our city and ought to
be repealed. Therefore
Resolved, That we appeal to the citizens
and property holders of Allegheny county,
in the interest of our candidates for Senate
and members of the Legislature all of whom
are pledged to the repeal of at least that
portion o. the new charter which provides
for the election of the heads of departments
by Councils, and also to enact such legisla-
OF the city the power which rightfully be-
longs TO his Office.
For the two Allegheny legislative dis
tricts whereases and a resolution were
recommended similar to those referring to
the charter of Pittsburg.
Mr.. Larkin then moved the adoption of
tine platform as whole.
William e. Howlev asked whv the reso-
lutions were to be adopted at that time.
j. c. O'Donnell, a member of the SUBJ
committee, said that the resolutions should
be adopted only as the sense of the COM
mittee, and recommended tc the district
conventions. The platforms presented, he
said, pertained only to the districts wholly