Los Angeles herald., 1892-02-12
A Mass Meeting of Grover
CIeyeland's Friends.
Cooper Union Filled With In
dignant Democrats.
Senator Hills Snap Convention Wig
0r0usly Denounced.
The State Central Committee Urgently
Petitioned to Revoke the Call
for the State Convention
February 22d.
Associated tlfess Dispatches.

Associated tfess Dispatches.
New y JRK, Feb. 11.-There was held
tonight in the large ball of Cooper union
a mass meeting of Democrats to protest
against the holding of the Democratic
state convention February 22d, after
only four weeks notice. 1t is this con-
vention which has been denominated
"Senator Hills snap convention" and
the meeting tonight was promoted
largely by the adherents Of ex-President
Cleveland. Among those who signed
the call were Frederick R. Coudert, ex-
Mayor Tiemann, Oswald Ottendorfer, E.
Ellery Anderson, Charles j. Canada, ex-
Mayor Grace. ex-Mayor Cooper, Everett
Wheelock, ex-Justice DAILY, ex-Mayor
Hewitt and ex-Secretary of the Treasury
Fairchild. Every available inch of
standing room in the historic hall was
occupied, and many of those 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
Democratic state committee is as pro-
voking as it is uncalled for, and
its only explanation is that
it is well adapted to promote the
schemes of some intriguing politicians
who have reason to avoid the open day
light and try to secure snsp judgment
by which they can pretend to represent
the Democracy OF the Empire State.
1t is noy for the promotion of the ambi-
ton of this or that man, but for the
triumph of the principles in the defense
of which, the Democracy of the United
States achieved victory during the last
two years, that we enter our protest.
The members Of the Democratic state
committee have made fearfnl mistake,
and mistake in such a matter is worse
than crime. Seeing the result of their
error, l hope they will retrace their
steps and adopt measures in accordance
with the requirements of fairness and
Justice. II not, they have to take the
responsibility for the disastrous conse-
quences that may follow their unwise
and inconsiderate action"
Frederick r. Coudert was the next
speaker. The meeting, he said, was
not to denounce or glorify any human
being, but the assertion Of the rights of
men, that persons in authority are seek
ing to deprive them of. In naming OBJ
jections to the call for the convention
on the 22d inst, he said, in part !:
every departure from usage and Gus
tom requires an explanation on the
part of those who make the departure,
to those interested in the subject. Gus
tom is law; to violate the law is crime.
We therefore are in the right, and may
insist upon receiving valid explana-
tion. The precedents of quarter of a
century have established uniform
rule, and we say to the committee !:
1Why have you changed it? 1t 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 brethren. 1t was in
tended that all Democrats should have
an opportunity to register their voices.
1t was not intended to cut off thousands
of men without regard to right in order
to serve purpose. 1t may be that no
purpose exists but no great party can
afford to place its members in such a
strait that loyalty to party and self
respect cannot exist"
At the conclusion of Coudert's speech.
some one called: ''Three cheers for
Grover Cleveland" There was good
response, followed by scattering misses.
Mr.. Coudert was selected president of
the meeting, and the list of vice -presi-
dents and secretaries contained Sc
lection of about 300 names.
Ex-United States District Attorney
Walker then offered set of resolutions.
which were warmly applauded and
adopted with practical unanimitv, only
few scattering noes being heard. The
resolutions were substantially az fol-
lows:
"This assembly of Democrats of the
city of New York, makes a protest and
appeal against the uncalled for and ILL
advised action of the state committee in
designating SO early date as the 22d of
February for the meeting of the state
convention to select delegates to the
national convention"
The resolutions declare that the dele
gates should be fresh from the people.
No body of men elected to express the
will of the voters should be for an un-
reasonable time the custodians of the
voters rights, or hold delegated powers
for a period longer than is absolutely
necessary and the expression of the
people should be made in party assem-
6lies upon the subjects presently to be
decided, at as near a time to that where
In the decision is reached, as can be
reasonably and conveniently appointed.
The action of the state committee is
declared contrary to party usage and
irregular; it denies to the Democratic
electors OF the state full, fair and effect
i've exercise of their right to be repre-
sented in caucuses, primaries and dis
rtrict and state conventions. Their ac-
tion is a grave violation of the political
duties of the committee which cannot
but expose the party to needless danger
in the election next November.
A copy of the resolutions is to be- sent
to the members of the state committee.
and committee OF fifty, with power to
add to the number, will be appointed bv
the chairman of the meeting to commu-
nicate with the state committee, protest
against their action in designating the
date already fixed, and urge them to re-
consider and revoke the call. If that is
not done, the committee shall exercise
such further lpowers and take such other