Los Angeles herald., 1892-04-07
AN UNDEMoCRArIC AND UNFAIR PRO-
GRAMME.

people calling themselves Democrats.
The meeting at Buffalo night before last
was characterized by positively inde-
cent features. The speech OF ex-Secre-
tary Fairchild was bad enough, but that
of Mr.. Thornton was an outrage. The
whole proceedings leave grave room to
doubt whether the participants really
desire the success OF the Democratic
ticket.
When have any friends of David Ben
nett Hill antagonized Mr.. Cleveland?
On the other hand, there is scarcely
distinctive partisan of the EXPIRE sident
who does not indulge in the bitterest
and most unfounded aspersions of the
man whom the Democracy of New York
elected lieutenant-governor by $4,000
majority over his Republican opponent
as against the $4,000 majority over Fol-
ger which Cleveland received on the
same ticket for governor. These asper-
sions are against the man who received
over IL 900 majority over his Republi-
can opponent for governor in the same
election in which Cleveland only sue
ceeded in beating Blaine for president
by eleven hundred. They are against
the identical individual who carried
New York for governor by over seven
teen thousand at the same election in
which Cleveland lost the Empire state
for president by over thirteen thousand.
Finally, this bitter and unfounded ar
Iaignment seeks to injure the man
whom the Democracy of New York sent
to the senate OF the United States-the
second Democrat who has been sent
there in period OF nearly forty years,
Francis Herman being the other.
This indecent outbreak took place in
the city of Buffalo, the former home of
Mr.. Cleveland-in that Erie county
which sent Hill delegation to the
Democratic state convention by over
whelming odds. 1t was directed against
the man whose popularity gave him
twenty votes in that state convention to
one for Cleveland, and whose selection
as the standard as far as New
York could advance him to that high
station, was made unanimous on the
motion of Mr.. Bourke Cochran.
They are doing all this factional and
un-democratic work, ostensibly, in the
interest OF man whom they seek to
force on the Democratic party for the
nomination for the third time-of the
very man who, in his letter of accept.
ance, said, when nobody asked him to
say it, that no one ought to run for the
Office of president second time.
When, in this Buffalo meeting, it
came to the speech OF the harlequin
Thornton. if it had been really in any
sense B Democratic assemblage. there
would have been an outburst of indig-
nation when the Democratic senator
from New York, whose mastery policy
has undone three decades of Republican
gerrymandering was described as po-
litical skirt dancer. This man Thornton
may be masquerading as a Democrat,
but he has all the characteristics of a
Republican stool-pigeon.
And what is all the outcry about :?
Behind it all is the work of disorganiz-
ers, but the pretense that justifies this
treachery to the Democratic party is
that of ''snap" convention.
How was it a "Snap Convention ?"
There is no pretense that it was not
regularly called by the Democratic state
central committee for the 22nd of Feb
ruary-Washington's birthday-a most
appropriate and fitting occasion for the
expression OF the political preference
of one of the great national parties in
the greatest state OF the union. This
was the only body entitled, by party
usage, to call the convention.
But then," say these pseudo friends
of Mr.. Cleveland, sit was called too
soon."
AS to this point Mr.. Bourke Cochran
stated in the Syracuse convention that
he had positive information that these
marplots at first had the impression that
the convention was to be called at late
date, and that they were prepared to
howl about that. 1t is significant fact
that Cockran's statement has not been
challenged. 1t is, not in the result but
in the spirit, case of the fable of the
wolf and the lamb over again. The
wolf, bent on quarrel, accused the
lamb of muddying the water. The lat
ter pointed out that that could not pos
sibly be the case as the wolf was up
stream. Early state convention or late
state conven ton, the Graces, Fairchilds
and Thorntons of New York were de-
termined to find some ground for dis
cord.
What is there in this outcry that the
convention was held too early, and was
therefore "Snap Convention" Was
the 22d of February an unprecedentedly
early date at which to hold Democratic
state convention in New York prior to
presidential election?
Here we have direct issue bearing on
the question. Was it or was it not?
The answer is immediate and over
whelming. The Democratic state con-
vention, which instructed for Samuel j.
Tilden for president in 1876, was held on
the Goth day of January of that year
precisely twenty-four days earlier than
the convention which instructed for SEN
ator Hill. And yet there was'no howl
then.
-. L IL