The morning call., 1894-10-12

Republican delegates ia several cities solicit ed
support, not as Republicans but as reformers,
and promised non-p rtsan action. The cleo
ton last fall in this State was itself proclaimed
as reform rather than Republican triumph,
but no sooner did the convention meet tn Il
all DISCUSSES were thrown off and Republican
partisan ship became rampant.
The unfarness, the partisanship, the abso-
lute injustice OF the proposed appOrtionmeDt
admits OF no argument. Its purpose was openly
avowed on the floor OF the convention O secure
for all the future the control of the Legs a,ure
OF the State TO Republicans, and no one denies
that such Will be its effect. Every Democratic
member OF the constitutional convention voted
against the scheme, and those members there
after issued an address TO the people giving IN
detail their reason therefor, and such address
is worthy of the careful consideration OF fair
minded men OF all parties. It's facts, its fig
ures, its conclusions have not been and cannot
be successfully refuted. 1t is absolutely I'M
answerable. 1 cannot better describe the
scheme TO disfranchise the Democrats OF the
State than by reading TO you what our repre-
sentalives in that convention so truthfully and
tersely said. concerning il in the address:
Inc Republican majority has Incorporated in
the constitution plan of apportionment Which
Violates the fundamental rules OF popular rep
resentation. This plan prevents any new APP
porionment until 1895. II forecloses the
future by prescribing impossible conditions
even TO the Legisla ure of 1896. Ii destroys
the proportion of to l between the AS
semby aud the Senate, which has existed since
1921. 1t creates fifteen Senate districts with a
population greater han fifteen other districts
10y 459,S72. Ii leaves unreprrsented pOpula-
tion in Democratic districts of 141 ,2S7. 1t
oVerrepresents Republican districts by $780,
346. II thus makes a discrimination against
Democratic districts OF 261, 635. Ii permits
= afff1 ID
requires at least 41.000 in Democratic dis
tricIs 10 eject an Assemblyman. 1t prescribes
that 1887 citizens shall be entitled 10 a
Senator, but II affords TO the Republican coun-
lies OF Erie and Monroe an additional Senator
by half that number. Ii refuses the Demo
cratic County of New York ana of Kings an
additional Senator for any number less than
115, S17. 1t provides that New York shall
never. no mater how great Its population,
have more than one third OF The Seua-
tors. 1t provides that Kings County shall
never, no matter how great its population. have
more han third of the Senators. 1t provides
that New York and Kings counties shall never,
no matter how great the population, have more
than half of the Senator'S
1t fastens Republican rule on the State re-
gardirss of the popular will, inasmuch as
majority OF $4,000 in tile State against the Re-
publican party will not disturb its hold upon
Senate is abandoned for Territorial representa-
ton, and the counties OF the State which are
increasing in population are deprived OF repre-
sentation for the benefit OF those counties
whose populations are STEADILY decreasing.
The success of this scheme the polls means
the absolute control OF the Legislature TO tie
Republicans for all lime TO come 1t means
the loss of New York forever hereafter to the
Democratic party. 1t means political annihila-
Take tle last full of 1890
when the Democrats carried the State by
$50 majority. and that vote distributed or
equaliZ according 10 these amendments
would still give the Legislature 10 the other
side. l appeal 10 our party friends everywhere
TO arise TO the danger which confronis them In
this matter. and. laying aside prejudice. disap-
pointments and preferences, unite together 10
preserve the life of our party, now seriously
imperled.
condemned in my speech at Saratoga and /
condemn here also that un-Amercan spirit
which is insidiously fastening itself upon por-
lions OF our communities. which seeks TO set up
a religious Test as one of The qualifications for
public office ia this country. ANY organization.
secret or otherwise, which has this object in
view deserves tile execration OF every Ameri-
can citizen. II is useless to deny the fact that
sympathy for this intoerant spirit has found
much support In Republican circles, encourage
ment in the Republican press and much aid at
the polls ia strong X publican localities. The
recent State Republican convention, although
urgently requested TO do so, deliberately re-
fused TO incorporate any provision in its plat
form cOndemning such an un-American policy
OF intolerance Such provision would have
been very appropriate at this time; in fact, was
absolutely demanded by every consideration of
patriotism.
In the national constitution which our fore
fathers framed IL was wisely provided that mo
religious test shall ever be required as quail
fication to any Office or public trust under the
United States" This proposition reflected the
wisdom of our early statesmen. illustrated the
liberal spirit and showed their true patriotism.
This sacred constitutional provision prevents
the enactment of any Federal statute creating
religious test for public position. but, of
course. it does not and canuot prevent proscrip-
ton by individual associations or political par
ties. That must be regulated by an intelligent
public sentiment, which l invoke at this time
in opposition to the rising spirit OF Intolerance
which we observe cropping out on every hand.
/ deny the oft-repeated statement that the
Democratic party is responsible for the hard
times through which the country has Just
passed. The financial panic of last year and the
succeeding hard times were the result of Re-
publican legislation enacted during Harrison's
administration. You know who passed the
Sherman silver bill ana the Mckinley bill and
one was as detrimental TO the finances OF the
country as the other. One exhausted the sur.
plus and the other failed TO produce sufficient
revenues to support the Government. The Nc
Kinley bill was complete failure 1t virtually
broke down during the last year of the Harr-
son administration. the receipts being so meager
that The expenditures OF the Government near
ly exceeded It's revenues.
Drafts made upon the Treasury Department
were not promptly met, among others, drafts
for the payments of moneys due for pensions
and a system of transfers of balances from the
different sub-treasuries became necessary,
which gave an excuse for delay In the settle
fact the nation for the time being was virtually
bankrupt. With these two obnoxious statutes
repealed the country is now entering upon bet
ter times. Money is easier, trade is revvinS
manufacturers are resuming operations. new
enterprises are starring up and everywhere
there is feeling Of security, OF confidence and
Of prosperity. Our wOrkiDgmen are rapidly
finding employment and the great army of the
unemployed will soon disappear.
What the country needs now Is an Industrial
peace. Any attempt to repeal the existing law
and to substitute the Mckinley law in its place
will disturb the business Interests of the coun-
try. 1t is better for the country better for
everybody that no such effort be made but
that Democratic House aud Senate should be
chosen to cooperate with The President ID
giving the country industrial peace for the next
two years. Those who advocate a different
course do so for politics. sake alone. A fair
trial Of The existing law before general re-
vision is again aitempted-ihat Is the wise and