Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-27
The Democratic Convention at Har
risburg, Pa.
ADDRESS BY TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN
His Reasons for Asking Popular
Support.
COMMITTEES SELECTED


Chairman Stranahan at l210. The hall
was decorated with bunting in which the
American colors predominated. The call
was read by Secretary Mead, after which
Chai, man Stranaban announced the names
OF temporary officers. who had been select
ed yesterday by the state executive commit
tee. Robert E. Wright of Allentown, the
temporary chairman, made a short speech
which was well received
Chairman Wrfghts Speech.
Gentlemen OF the convention To those
who have selected me for this place l beg
to return my tina INKS, and to assure them that
l appreciate to the fullest measure the
honor implied in the choice. While 1 cam
not hope TO foreshadow- the form in which
this convention shall give expression to Its
conviction upon the grave public condi-
tons that surround US, know that l cam
rot mistake the principles ii will endeavor
| to enforce In our judgment and purpose
upon the great economic questions, settled
in the memorable contest OF 1872, there
will be no wavering or shadow Of turning.
by the verdict then rendered 1t was
determined the constitutional power of the
federal government to collect revenues by
import duties should not be perverted from
Its legitimate purpose; should not be made
the vehicle for turning the hard-earned
wages and property of the masses into the
overhowing coners of the protected few.
This principle in American politics has not
passed beyond the stage of discussion. Ii
is no longer a controverted proposition.
The mission of the democratic party,
now entrusted as 1t is with all the active
departments of the government, is to mold
the Judgment of the American people into
active. effective. productive legislation.
TO the performance of this duty our party
is dedicated and pledged by every con-
sideration that should affect the honor of
men. In its fultllment there will be no
faltering. The shadow of temporary ad-
versity that has enveloped us must not
check for a moment the progress Of our
great work. Republican extravaganza and
misrule having virtually bankrupted the
government. broken its credit and destroy
ed public confidence in its ability to meet
its obligations, 1t is not to be wondered at
that trade and commerce should be tenn
porarily paralyzed and all departments OF
business depressed
Though republican responsibility of this
condition of affairs is patent. our party
has not escaped and cannot expect to es-
cape the adversely that always temporarily
comes, though unjustly, to the party hap
pening to be in power when unfortunate
conditions exist. Those adversities, how
ever. should only intensity democratic de-
termination to apply and enforce the rem
edy the people have decreed. Our revenue
system must be reformed Tariff duties
must be reduced. The burdens of taxation
imposed for unlawful purposes must be
lifted from the shoulders of the people.
while democratic Representatives and
Senators may honestly and properly differ
on many important details of needed legis-
lation. while conservative sentiment may,
in measure, limit the measure of the APP
plication of the principles for which we
contend. while honest objection may be
made to the application of tariff reform
Of other systems Of taxation OF doubtful
wisdom. yet revenue reform must come in
some substantial form before this demo-
cratic Congress shall adjourn.
Let the democracy Of Pennsylvania then
send greetings to her Representatives and
Mold hnir han do ~ No at Uglo
which they are engaged. Let this conven-
TONS platform speak In no doubling tones
today. In the performance Of our duty to
our own state, let present candidates
who shall reflect in their individuality the
best aspirations of democracy and who, II
elected. will continue to the people of Penn
sylvania that ability, purity and efficiency
in government that have marked the ad-
ministration of our governor and his ad-
mirable cabinet"
Recess Until 2 O'Clock.
After the reading Of the roll Of delegates
1t was referred to the committee on Gre
dentials. The chairman then announced the
committees on resolutions. credentials and
permanent organization, and at l2:45 pm.
the convention took recess until o'clock.
BOlted the Caucus.
At caucus Of the Allegheny delegation
this morning ten Of the twenty nine men,
bers bolted. The trouble arose over the in
PRODUCTION Of a resolution by County Chair
man Brennon that the contest in the fourth
Allegheny district be settled by giving the
delegates half vote each. The followers
Of George 9: Fleming opposed this resolu-
ton. and left the caucus, after which the
majority unanimously adopted it.
On reconvening the following platform
was adopted:
The Platform.
The democracy Of Pennsylvania renew
their expression Of faith in democratic
principles, and their unfaltering confidence
that these principles are efficient for good
government. municipal, state and federal:
First. The arrangement Of business, the
disturbances between labor and capital,
the reduction Of wages, the UNEQUAL dis.ri-
button Of profits In economic operations
and the gross disparity in social conditions
which have resulted from the operation of
republican laws will continue long rs
those laws are unrepealed. The Mckinley
tariff bill is In full force and operation
The enactment of that tariff in 1880 I'M
paired International exchange of commodi-
ties and reduced revenues arising from du-
ties; which, with vastly increased expenses
through improvident appropria tons, antic-
lpating future revenues, led to q deficit in
the income necessary to support the gov
eminent. democratic administration left
SlOO.OOOOOO surplus In the federal treasury
A republican successor, in four years, con-
verted this into deficit of $3OOOOOOO We
declare that this condition has followed re-
publican administration and that business
depression has resulted from vicious legis-
latton for which the republican party is
solely responsible. To correct and relieve
these, democratic President and dem
ocratic Congress are pledged, and their
efforts In that direction are entitled to the
support OF patriotic citizens, regardless of
party.
Second. We again indorse and approve
the declarations of the democratic national
PLATFORM of 1892, upon which a democratic
President and Congress were elected and
we desire and demand that the tariff laws
be revised In accordance with that author
ltatlve declaration of party principles
s. We declare that the consistent cour-
ageouS and infexiblc determine ton of
democratic President to maintain the credit
or the government terminated a financial
panic restored confidence and COMPOSED
disturbed values We are opposed to the
reckless imitation of the currency to $40
per capita demanded by the republican
state convention of 1893 and 1884; and
while we favor the circulation of constitu-
tional money, gold and silver at a parity of
value, we are unalterably opposed to any
debasement of the currency or to the de-
probation of any dollar issued by the gov
eminent to the people.
1. We heartily approve and indorse the
upright and saSacious administration of
President Cleveland. which has fulfilled
the pledges of his party, and has satisfied
the eXpecta ton of the people
D. We denounce the derelection Of the re-
publican party in the legislative branches
OF the state government. q,