The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-12
FRIENDS OF CLEVELAND.
They Gather in Force at Cooper
Union Hall and Adopt
Resolutions.
Protesting Against Holding the
State Convention on Such
Short Notice.
Delegates to the Convention Should Como
Direct From the People, Whose
VIII They Execute.

mass meeting of democrats to protest
against holding the democratic state CON
vention Feb. ~, after only four wceks no
tice. 1t is this convention which has been
denominated Senator Hills snap conven-
tion," and the meeting tonight WAS
prompted largely by the adherents of OK
President Cleveland. Among those who
signed the call were Frederick r.. Coudert,
ex-Mayor Tismann, Oswald Ottendorfer,
q. Ellery Anderson, Chas. J. Canada, OK
Mayor Grace ex-Mayor Cooper, Everett
Wheeler, ex-Justice DAILY, ex- Mayor Hewitt,
Every available inch Of standing room in
the historic hall was occupied. and
many of those who were tardy
in seeking entrance were unable to get
in. Oswald Ottendorfer, editor and pro-
prietor OF the New York Stats Zeitung,
called the meeting to order. He said, in
part: ''The whole proceeding of the demo-
cratic state committee is as provoking as
it is unoalled tor, and its only explanation
is that it is we'll adapted to promote the
schemes of some intriguing politicians who
have reason to avoid open daylight and try
to secure snap Judgment, by wh1oh they can
pretend to represent the democracy Of the
Empire state. It is not for the promotion
Of the ambition Of this or that man, but for
the triumph of principles in defense of
which the democracy Of the United States
achieved victory during tine last two years.
that we enter our protest. The members OF
the democratic state committee have
made q fearful mistake, and mis-
take in such matter is worse than crime.
Seeing the results of their error. hope
they will retrace their steps and adopt
measures in accordance with the require
ments of fairness and Justice. If not they
will have to take the responsibility for the
disastrous consequences that may follow
their unwise and inconsiderate action"
Frederick r. Coudert was the next speaker.
The meeting, said he, was not to denounce
or glorify any human being, but an asser-
tion Of right of which men in authority
are seeking to deprive them. In naming
tion of the 22d inst, he said, in part:
Every departure from usage and custom
equires explanation on the-part of those
who make the departure to those interested
in the subject Custom is law. 70 violate
law is a crime. We, therefore, are in
receiving valid explanation. Precedents
of a quarter of a century have established a
uniform rule, and we say to the committee,
why have you changed it? II you have
good reason produce it, These men who
are called leaders must bear in mind that
they are trustees and agents, not autocrats;
| that they cannot substitute their will for
| that of the mass of their political brethre
| 1t was intended that all democrats should
have an opportunity to register their votes.
1t was not intended to cut of thousands of
men without regard to right, in order to
4 Al,oA~
pose exists, but no great party can afford to
| place its members in such strait that lov-
atty to party and self-1espect cannot exist -
At the conclusion of Coudert's speech
some one called, 'Ihree cheers for Grover
Cleveland There was a good response.
followed by scattering misses. Mr.. Coudert
was selected president OF the meeting. and
| Il list of vice presidents and secretaries,
containing a selection OF about three hun
dred names, was selected. United States
District Attorney Walker then offered q set
of resolutions, which were warmly ap-
plauded and adopted with practical unan-
unity, only Jew scattering noes being
! heard. The resolutions were substantially
as follows:
"'rhis assembly of democrats Of the City
of New York makes protest and appeal
against the uncalled for and ill-adYised
action of the state committee in designat-
ing so early date as Feb 90 for the meet
1
egates to the national convention" The
resolutions declare that delegates should be
fresh from the people. No body of men,
elected to express the will Of voters shoul d
be for an unreasonable time the custodian 8
of voters rights or hold delegated powers
for a period longer than absolutely neces-
sary. and the expression of the people
should be made i'll party assemblies upon
subjects presently to be decided, at as
near the time to that wherein the decision
a to be reached, as can be reasonably
and conveniently appointed. The
contrary to party usage and irregular; it
denies to the democratic electors of the
state full fair and effective exercise of
| their right to be represented i'll caucuses,
primaries, and district and state conven
tions: their action is n grave violation of
the political duties Of the committee. which
cannot but expose the party to needless
danger i'll the election in November.
| A copy of the resolutions is to be- sent to
| the members of the state committee and a
committee of fifty, with power to add to
the number, shall be appointed by the
chairman of the meeting to communicate
with the state committee to protesteagainst
their action in designating the date already
fixed, and urge them to reconsider and re-
woke the call. If that is not done tho COM
mittee shall exercise such further powers
and take such other action as may secure
proper representation of the people of the
state i'll the national convention and may
seem proper and in accord with the spirit
of these resolutions.
A telegram of oommendation was re-
ceived from the Montgomery Ala, Cleve-
land democratic club, which protested
against the action of the New York state
committee as unjust. unfair, and seriously
imperilling the interssts of the party
throughout the union. John G. MllburI,
of Erie county, spoke, declaring for send
ing delegation to Chicago to come right
from the heart of the people, strong for